Millie Chewning

Millie Chewning, Marengo, 87, died Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2013, on her farm, surrounded by family and loved ones.

She was born Sept. 11, 1925, in Detroit to Anthony and Anna Kurr. 

She married Eldon “Al” Chewning and moved to Illinois in 1954. She and her husband eventually settled in Crystal Lake to raise their family. 

They survived the Palm Sunday tornado of 1965 which demolished their home, and several months later, they opened the Branded Steak House, considered unique at the time for its urban style and open char-broiler. 

In 1971, Chewning and her husband opened the Cloven Hoof Steak House in Marengo. She and her husband operated the restaurant until he died in 1983. 

She retired from the restaurant business and spent the remainder of her career providing in-home care for the elderly. Her clients appreciated the wholesome baked treats and tender care she provided.  

She loved classical music, opera, theater and singing in the Sacred Heart Catholic Church choir, as well as hosting Sunday dinner, where both family and friends were welcome. She also enjoyed world travel, visiting Greece, Europe, Mexico, China, Israel and Poland. Her true joy was spending time on the farm with her six children, their spouses and 12 grandchildren. 

Survivors include four daughters, Ann Henry, Diane (John) McNamara, Claire (Stewart) Brown and Lisa Skala; a son, Glen (Barbara) Chewning; a daughter-in-law, Sharon Wolf Chewning; 12 grandchildren, Patrick and Kellan McNamara, Lauren and Andrea Henry, Emily (Greg) Chewning Brodsky, Ben and Jessica Chewning, Allison, Andrew and Anna Brown, Ellen Skala and David W. Chewning; a sister, Rosemary Kurr; and a brother, Raymond Kurr. 

She was preceded in death by her husband and a son, David A. Chewning.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 18, at Davenport Funeral Home, 419 E. Terra Cotta Ave., Crystal Lake, followed by a memorial gathering at 7 p.m. The funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 19, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 323 N. Taylor St., Marengo.

Donations can be sent to the Capuchin Soup Kitchen, 1820 Mt. Elliot St., Detroit, MI 48207, or to WTTW Channel 11, 5400 N. St. Louis Ave., Chicago, IL 60625.