C. Olin Sethness

Sethness, C. Olin Olin Sethness, 97, died peacefully of natural causes on February 1. Currently living at Lake Forest Place, the long-time Winnetka resident was born on February 16, 1914, attended New Trier High School, graduated from the University of Chicago Phi Beta Kappa in 1935, and from its Law School in 1937, where he was elected to the Law Review. He was married to Alison Burge for 72 years until her death in 2010. He began his entrepreneurial career in the family's flavoring, food coloring and soft drinks business. Later, he moved into international markets as President of Cosco International. He had operations in South and Central America, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. His best-known drink domestically was Green River, and internationally Apple Cidra. He belonged to Rotary #1, the Winnetka Congregational Church, where he served on the board, and Skokie Country Club. He enjoyed tennis, sailing, piano, stamps, woodworking, and Spanish. He used his expertise in Spanish and woodworking to help students in local elementary schools and played the piano for the other residents at Lake Forest Place. He was a member of the Foundation and Explorers Clubs and University of Chicago Alumni Association, chairing several reunions. He began his travels abroad in 1946, eventually logging millions of miles for business, visiting family and friends, and tourism. During frequent visits to the Dominican Republic, he became a supporter of the Rotary Club in Puerta Plata and donor to a school for the blind. He is survived by his brother William of Kenilworth, IL, and his sister Helen Burke of Deerfield Beach, FL; four children, Charles of Falls Church, VA, Deborah Mark of Lakeville, CT, Alison Axeen of Altadena, CA, and Sally Anderson of Los Angeles, CA; eleven grandchildren; and twelve great grandchildren. A memorial service will be held on March 30 at Lake Forest Place at 2:00 pm. Gifts in lieu of flowers can be made to the Winnetka Congregational Church.