David H. Levine

David H. Levine, 1921-2012. Born in Lithuania, raised in Pittsburgh, by way of Palestine, and longtime resident of Evanston, IL. He served with distinction in the US Air Corps during WWII as a radio operator and bombardier in the famed B17 airplane. He liked to say that he was "the most decorated Jewish War Veteran at 542 Michigan Avenue", the Evanston six-flat apartment building where he resided for some 50 years. After the war he worked for various radio stations applying his knowledge acquired during his time in the Air Corps. Later he ran Western Press, a union shop in the Humboldt Park neighborhood of Chicago, alongside his father-in-law. A true character by all accounts, he loved garage sales, antiques, Maxwell Street and bicycles, he was an inveterate collector. David had the soul and talent of a true artist. His creativity often found expression in the beautifully curated works of art he would make for friends and family, each one a unique homage to the boxes of the artist Joseph Cornell. The center of his life was his beloved Jacquelyn, née Dienstein. Although he was a man of many passions-chocolate and halvah aside-his greatest was his love of family. David was the incredibly loving and devoted father of Amy (Michael) Brown and Carol Levine Frank. He was the brother of his cherished sister Raizi Levitt, who predeceased him; and uncle to several nieces and nephews. He was at his happiest when he was surrounded by his five grandchildren whom he adored unequivocally-Dyan and Paul and Zev, Jonah and Sonia. David's warm sense of humor and his generosity of spirit are his indelible legacy. He was a most loyal and giving friend. He was a true mensch. Service Friday, 12 Noon at Chicago Jewish Funerals, 8851 Skokie Blvd., (at Niles Center Rd.), Skokie. Interment Westlawn. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Jewish National Fund, 60 Revere Dr., Suite 840, Northbrook, IL 60062, www.jnf.org or Working Bikes, 2434 S. Western Ave., Chicago, IL 60608. www.workingbikes.org would be appreciated. Arrangements by Chicago Jewish Funerals- Skokie Chapel, 847.229.8822, www.cjfinfo.com