http://oaklawntornado.com Stories Of Illinois Tornado Day, 1967 Thu, 09 Feb 2012 23:38:47 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 http://oaklawntornado.com/photos-of-the-oak-lawn-tornado/#comment-1427 Nancy Schwab Thu, 09 Feb 2012 23:38:47 +0000 http://oaklawntornado.com/photos/#comment-1427 I was 16, junior at Mother McAuley H.S. at 99th near Pulaski (also called Crawford in those days). I was taking driver's ed. We had to go to Bogan H.S. (79th & Pulaski) after school to use their car simulators for this week of the instruction. That day we thought about getting some sliders at White Castle on the corner before getting on our bus to head back south to 99th or 103rd St. I am guessing it was about 5pm. We thought it looked like rain. (No one said anything about a tornado. I had no idea what a tornado was) So we didn't stop at White Castle. When we got off the bus at 103rd & Pulaski. I remember the dark pea-soup green sky, the noise and people inside the gas station screaming for us to come inside. I was hanging onto the light pole! The noise sounded like a freight train. It was deafening. After it was over and just raining I walked the mile down to Kedzie and then to 107th St. where I lived. Found out my dad and brother were out during the tornado looking for me. I heard that the next bus from 79th and Pulaski heading south, the one behind ours, was lifted and dropped in the cemetary (St. Mary ?). I also remember our school was closed for at least a week, body searches at the Oak Lawn Roller Rink, the National Guard blocking people from entering Oak Lawn which was directly across Pulaski from Brother Rice H.S. Many McAuley and Rice students lived in Oak Lawn. This was quite a year!: McCormick Place burned down in Jan., Biggest Snow ever in Jan. (missed a lot of school for that too) all in 1967. WLS put out a record of all the newscasts. I had it - can't locate it. I was 16, junior at Mother McAuley H.S. at 99th near Pulaski (also called Crawford in those days). I was taking driver’s ed. We had to go to Bogan H.S. (79th & Pulaski) after school to use their car simulators for this week of the instruction. That day we thought about getting some sliders at White Castle on the corner before getting on our bus to head back south to 99th or 103rd St. I am guessing it was about 5pm.
We thought it looked like rain. (No one said anything about a tornado. I had no idea what a tornado was) So we didn’t stop at White Castle.
When we got off the bus at 103rd & Pulaski. I remember the dark pea-soup green sky, the noise and people inside the gas station screaming for us to come inside. I was hanging onto the light pole! The noise sounded like a freight train. It was deafening. After it was over and just raining I walked the mile down to Kedzie and then to 107th St. where I lived. Found out my dad and brother were out during the tornado looking for me.
I heard that the next bus from 79th and Pulaski heading south, the one behind ours, was lifted and dropped in the cemetary (St. Mary ?).
I also remember our school was closed for at least a week, body searches at the Oak Lawn Roller Rink, the National Guard blocking people from entering Oak Lawn which was directly across Pulaski from Brother Rice H.S. Many McAuley and Rice students lived in Oak Lawn.
This was quite a year!: McCormick Place burned down in Jan., Biggest Snow ever in Jan. (missed a lot of school for that too) all in 1967.
WLS put out a record of all the newscasts. I had it – can’t locate it.

]]> http://oaklawntornado.com/your-memories-of-the-oak-lawn-tornado/#comment-1408 Larry Rauch Mon, 23 Jan 2012 21:18:45 +0000 http://oaklawntornado.com/your-memories-of-the-oak-lawn-tornado/#comment-1408 I was a member of the Lansing FD at the time of the storm. We we called out just after the storm ended. I arrived at the fire station and along with 3 fellow volunteers got abored truck # 101, an old American LaFrance pumper with a two person cab and a step bumper on the back with my partner Bill Smith. With of course no cover or shelter of any kind and rode all the way to Oaklawn on the freeway at 80 MPH in a blinding rain. Upon arriving nearby we had to stop at a wrecked service station and add oil to the motor. I think it was running dry. It was still dark when we arrived and there was much confusion. Rescue units were everywhere, all searching for people, either injured or dead. When we were called out, we had no idea of what we would encounter. That's the risk you take as a fireman. I loved it! I was a member of the Lansing FD at the time of the storm. We we called out just after the storm ended. I arrived at the fire station and along with 3 fellow volunteers got abored truck # 101, an old American LaFrance pumper with a two person cab and a step bumper on the back with my partner Bill Smith. With of course no cover or shelter of any kind and rode all the way to Oaklawn on the freeway at 80 MPH in a blinding rain. Upon arriving nearby we had to stop at a wrecked service station and add oil to the motor. I think it was running dry. It was still dark when we arrived and there was much confusion. Rescue units were everywhere, all searching for people, either injured or dead. When we were called out, we had no idea of what we would encounter. That’s the risk you take as a fireman. I loved it!

]]> http://oaklawntornado.com/your-memories-of-the-oak-lawn-tornado/#comment-1404 Mark Sun, 22 Jan 2012 02:08:48 +0000 http://oaklawntornado.com/your-memories-of-the-oak-lawn-tornado/#comment-1404 I remember that dreadful day also. My family's been in Oak Lawn since 1957 and we lived on 106th and Kenneth. I was out playing with my friends and our neighbor (Mrs. Carney) came out yelling for us to all get home as a tornado was coming. I remember the green sky and I also remember running home and literally punching my way thru the screen door pane of glass to get inside (still have the scar on my left hand) and my mom hustling my brothers and sister into the basement corner. We were all shaking and waiting for my dad to get home (he worked downtown). Still live in Oak Lawn off of SW Hwy and 52nd in one of the last houses spared by the tornado and have in my yard a piece of the ladder from the original Oak Lawn water tower which according to the original owner of the house was found in the yard after the storm. My garage is actually made up of different garage walls scrounged from the debris (no 2 walls are alike). I agree with those that posted earlier - don't ignore mother nature's warnings. My heart goes out to all who lost their lives and my thanks to all those who gave of themselves to assist everyone affected. I remember that dreadful day also. My family’s been in Oak Lawn since 1957 and we lived on 106th and Kenneth. I was out playing with my friends and our neighbor (Mrs. Carney) came out yelling for us to all get home as a tornado was coming. I remember the green sky and I also remember running home and literally punching my way thru the screen door pane of glass to get inside (still have the scar on my left hand) and my mom hustling my brothers and sister into the basement corner. We were all shaking and waiting for my dad to get home (he worked downtown). Still live in Oak Lawn off of SW Hwy and 52nd in one of the last houses spared by the tornado and have in my yard a piece of the ladder from the original Oak Lawn water tower which according to the original owner of the house was found in the yard after the storm. My garage is actually made up of different garage walls scrounged from the debris (no 2 walls are alike). I agree with those that posted earlier – don’t ignore mother nature’s warnings. My heart goes out to all who lost their lives and my thanks to all those who gave of themselves to assist everyone affected.

]]> http://oaklawntornado.com/your-memories-of-the-oak-lawn-tornado/#comment-1356 Bill S Wed, 28 Dec 2011 23:33:41 +0000 http://oaklawntornado.com/your-memories-of-the-oak-lawn-tornado/#comment-1356 Hi, Stephanie. Thank you for your comment. It sheds a little light on what marked the final earthly moments of two very noteworthy casualties of this devastating event. I was about the same age as Christine in April 1967, and ever since I have known of the OLT, I have harbored a particular interest in the story of Joan and Christine Casey. I have included my email address in this reply, so if you don't mind, please let me know if it would be okay for me to ask you a few more questions about your aunt and your cousin. Thanks very much. Hi, Stephanie. Thank you for your comment. It sheds a little light on what marked the final earthly moments of two very noteworthy casualties of this devastating event. I was about the same age as Christine in April 1967, and ever since I have known of the OLT, I have harbored a particular interest in the story of Joan and Christine Casey. I have included my email address in this reply, so if you don’t mind, please let me know if it would be okay for me to ask you a few more questions about your aunt and your cousin. Thanks very much.

]]> http://oaklawntornado.com/your-memories-of-the-oak-lawn-tornado/#comment-1264 Lisa Tue, 22 Nov 2011 03:02:24 +0000 http://oaklawntornado.com/your-memories-of-the-oak-lawn-tornado/#comment-1264 I wasn't born yet, but my cousin Christine Hinds was killed by that tornado at the Oak Lawn Roller Rink. I know her family well and she is missed very much everyday. I see her grave every once in a while. Sure wish I could of met her. RIP I wasn’t born yet, but my cousin Christine Hinds was killed by that tornado at the Oak Lawn Roller Rink. I know her family well and she is missed very much everyday. I see her grave every once in a while. Sure wish I could of met her. RIP

]]> http://oaklawntornado.com/photos-of-the-oak-lawn-tornado/#comment-1081 cathy krupa(mayton) Mon, 26 Sep 2011 15:15:17 +0000 http://oaklawntornado.com/photos/#comment-1081 i was 11 years old and i still remember when the tornado went up my driveway and didnt touch my house but hit 3 other house i was 11 years old and i still remember when the tornado went up my driveway and didnt touch my house but hit 3 other house

]]> http://oaklawntornado.com/your-memories-of-the-oak-lawn-tornado/#comment-1066 carolyn cartalino Wed, 21 Sep 2011 20:41:16 +0000 http://oaklawntornado.com/your-memories-of-the-oak-lawn-tornado/#comment-1066 Christine Hinds was my cousin.We went to school together at Worth school.On April 21,1967 Christine asked me to go skating with her.So when I got home I asked my mom and she said no.I asked her for a quarter for the bus ride and she said no. She said I dont have a quarter now go away and leave me alone. So instead I babysat for a neighbor. I was watching TV and the news came on. They said Oak Lawn skating rink was hit. I got on my knees and starting crying.OH MY GOD CHRISTINE, Is she ok or what.Then we found out she was gone. My uncle was in panic tring to find her. At the funeral my aunt showed me the side of her face, it was hit by a beam. She was beauitful and very smart.She also was very athletic,and liked sports.I miss her and think about her all the time.GOD BLESS EVERYONE WHO my prayers go out to all. Christine Hinds was my cousin.We went to school together at Worth school.On April 21,1967 Christine asked me to go skating with her.So when I got home I asked my mom and she said no.I asked her for a quarter for the bus ride and she said no. She said I dont have a quarter now go away and leave me alone. So instead I babysat for a neighbor. I was watching TV and the news came on. They said Oak Lawn skating rink was hit. I got on my knees and starting crying.OH MY GOD CHRISTINE, Is she ok or what.Then we found out she was gone. My uncle was in panic tring to find her. At the funeral my aunt showed me the side of her face, it was hit by a beam. She was beauitful and very smart.She also was very athletic,and liked sports.I miss her and think about her all the time.GOD BLESS EVERYONE WHO my prayers go out to all.

]]> http://oaklawntornado.com/your-memories-of-the-oak-lawn-tornado/#comment-976 Ronald Woods Wed, 31 Aug 2011 04:33:47 +0000 http://oaklawntornado.com/your-memories-of-the-oak-lawn-tornado/#comment-976 Debbie I was standing on the corner of 79th and Cicero waiting for a bus to take me to the rink that day for practice. I would meet up with Dave Norkus every day and we would ride the bus there. That day my CTA bus ran late and I missed the suburban bus. I still get sad when I think about Mrs Hanley and Dave and Christine being lost because of the tornado. I hope you have as many good memories of the rink as I do. There were many fine people who skated there over the years. Debbie I was standing on the corner of 79th and Cicero waiting for a bus to take me to the rink that day for practice. I would meet up with Dave Norkus every day and we would ride the bus there. That day my CTA bus ran late and I missed the suburban bus. I still get sad when I think about Mrs Hanley and Dave and Christine being lost because of the tornado. I hope you have as many good memories of the rink as I do. There were many fine people who skated there over the years.

]]> http://oaklawntornado.com/your-memories-of-the-oak-lawn-tornado/#comment-975 Anthony Vereecke Tue, 30 Aug 2011 20:49:47 +0000 http://oaklawntornado.com/your-memories-of-the-oak-lawn-tornado/#comment-975 Your story is fascinating in the sense i grew up at 9633 s. Normandy. My yard was kitty corner from your yard. I remember the house is yellow and brown. Only this was in the 90's and i wanna say an older man lived there. Maybe your father Jay ? If you remember the Ross's on Normandy we lived in the white Cape Cod next door. I am only thirty but have had a fascination with the tornado since a young age. My family went through it only back then they lived on 53rd ave and 95th. When i read your story is when i realized how much it effected the dearborn heights neighborhood too. Its almost a forgotten area with the tornado topic. If you remember anything about my home please email me. I love oak lawn stories, especially if you lived so close with the starlight theatre still up. I could not imagine seeing that from my drive way growing up. Your story is fascinating in the sense i grew up at 9633 s. Normandy. My yard was kitty corner from your yard. I remember the house is yellow and brown. Only this was in the 90′s and i wanna say an older man lived there. Maybe your father Jay ? If you remember the Ross’s on Normandy we lived in the white Cape Cod next door. I am only thirty but have had a fascination with the tornado since a young age. My family went through it only back then they lived on 53rd ave and 95th. When i read your story is when i realized how much it effected the dearborn heights neighborhood too. Its almost a forgotten area with the tornado topic. If you remember anything about my home please email me. I love oak lawn stories, especially if you lived so close with the starlight theatre still up. I could not imagine seeing that from my drive way growing up.

]]> http://oaklawntornado.com/your-memories-of-the-oak-lawn-tornado/#comment-927 rich vitiritti Tue, 16 Aug 2011 20:43:17 +0000 http://oaklawntornado.com/your-memories-of-the-oak-lawn-tornado/#comment-927 Judy---Cindy wants to continue to e-mail---miss ya! Judy—Cindy wants to continue to e-mail—miss ya!

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