CHICAGO (WBBM/CBS 2) -- Former Cook County Board President John H. Stroger Jr., 78, has passed away. Stroger suffered a major stroke in 2006.
John H. Stroger Jr.'s wake is scheduled forJan. 22nd from 12 PM - 8 PM at St. Columbanus Church, 331 E. 71st St.
The viewing and funeral will take place Jan. 23rd at St. Felicitas Church, 1526 E. 84th St. -- viewing from 9 AM -11 AM, services begin at 11 AM.
Mayor Richard M. Daley announced Mr. Stroger's death at a Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day breakfast Friday morning.
Mr. Stroger suffered a stroke in March 2006, shortly after winning the Democratic primary for what would have been a fourth term as County Board president. He had also battled diabetes, prostate cancer and heart disease.
Mr. Stroger's son, Todd Stroger, took his place on the ballot for the 2006 general election, and was elected County Board president that November.
Mr. Stroger was born on May 19, 1929, in Helena, Arkansas, and graduated from Xavier University in New Orleans with a degree in business administration. He later taught school and coached basketball, before moving to Chicago in 1953, where he became an assistant auditor with the Municipal Court of Chicago.
Later, Mr. Stroger served as personnel director of Cook County Jail and financial director for the State of Illinois. He earned a law degree from DePaul University in 1965, and was elected committeeman of the South Side's 8th Ward in 1968. In 1970, Mr. Stroger was elected to the Cook County Board.
He was elected board president in 1994.
In addition to his son Todd, Mr. Stroger is also survived by his wife, Yonnie, and a daughter, Yonnie Lynn. Another son, Hans, died of an asthma attack at the age of 22.
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