ALLEN BYRON HOOKS

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS - Allen Byron Hooks, a longtime resident of Arlington Heights, died suddenly on Thursday, July 8th. He was 81 years old. Allen "Al" was born on November 7, 1939, in Chicago, of Byron and Leona (Redenius) Hooks, where he lived he lived with his sister, Karen. Al first met his best friend and love of his life, Elisabeth "Liz" during a chance encounter at a pizza parlor in Chicago. They fell in love and were married on December 1, 1962. They first lived in Macomb, IL as Al finished college. As their love story continued, they moved back to Chicago living on the North side off Kedvale Avenue. They welcomed two children, daughter, Susan Kay and son, Douglas Allen. As the lure of the suburbs beckoned they moved to Arlington Heights in 1970, where they bought their first home and spent the rest of their lives. Al attended Farnworth Elementary (Chicago), Taft High School (Chicago) and was a proud graduate of Western Illinois University '63 (Macomb, IL). A man of relationships, Al spent his professional career in sales working at Continental Bank, Illinois Toll Works, Foreman and Company and Leuco Tool until his subsequent retirement. He was a lifelong dedicated fan of the Chicago Bears, becoming a season ticket holder with his father, Byron, as the team relocated to Soldier Field in 1971. Al loved the city of Chicago and all the great treasures it had to offer. He enjoyed countless trips with family including visits to Europe, Disney World, and New Jersey. Al was loved and known by all as a happy, kind, and genuine man who enjoyed the small moments of life and spending time with family and friends. He was a devoted husband, father and proud Papa. His unconditional love and friendship was felt by all who knew him. He is survived by his spouse of 58 years, Elisabeth (Koenig); children, Susan (Steven) Wigdor and Douglas (Deborah) Hooks; grandchildren, Nicole and Michael Wigdor, Abigail, Caroline and William Hooks; sister, Karen (Richard) Coulter; nieces, Christine (the late Michael) Beranek and Beth (Edison) Cruz. Visitation will be Tuesday, July 13, 2021, from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm at Glueckert Funeral Home Ltd., 1520 North Arlington Heights Road (four blocks south of Palatine Road), Arlington Heights, IL 60004. Funeral Service to be held Wednesday, July 14, 2021 at the funeral home 9:00 am. Interment at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Arlington Heights to follow at 10:00 am. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to the Chicago Bears / Bears Care (chicagobears.com). Funeral information and condolences can be given at www.GlueckertFuneralHome.com or 847-253-0168.