BEVERLY — Anne Schaible, a candidate for 19th Ward alderman, has canceled her public appearances as she prepares for her brother's funeral.
Dr. John S. Zielinski, 64, of North Beverly died on Saturday. He is survived by his three sisters and their families: Christine (Jon) Noffsinger, Victoria (Paul) Barrosse and Anne (Keith) Schaible.
Schaible said her campaign will resume after the burial. A funeral service is scheduled for 1 p.m. Tuesday at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 10301 S. Kolmar Ave., in suburban Oak Lawn.
"My brother and I were very close. He lived in our childhood home," Schaible said. "This is quite a shock."
Both Schaible and her brother pursued careers as doctors. Zielinski was a retired internist. Schaible is practicing a doctor of obstetrics and gynecology with an office in suburban Evergreen Park.
Schaible said she recently visited with her brother, who she described as "in the peak of health." She was unsure of the exact cause of his death but theorized he may have suffered a heart attack.
She said her family have come together in the wake of Zielinski's sudden death. And Schaible said she expects to resume her campaign to unseat Ald. Matt O'Shea (19th) on Wednesday.
"I hope people will understand," Schaible said.
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