Funeral Details

Morton "Sonny” Rich

March 13, 1928 - June 21, 2026

SERVICE INFORMATION

Date and Time

Tuesday, June 23, 2026 at 10:00 AM

Graveside

Shalom Memorial Park
1700 West Rand Road
Arlington Heights, Illinois 60004
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Clergy

By Family

Shiva

The Babendir Residence
8620 Hamlin Avenue
Skokie, Illinois 60076
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Shiva visiting hours:

Tuesday following the interment from
2PM - 5PM and 7PM - 9PM.

Wednesday and Thursday from 2PM - 5PM and 7PM - 9PM.

Friday from 2PM - 4PM

Sunday from 10AM -12PM and 2PM - 5PM

The family kindly requests that no food be brought to the Shiva house.

Memorial Contributions

The Smyle Initiative
8620 Hamlin Avenue
Skokie, Illinois 60076
www.smyleinitiative.org




OBITUARY

Morton “Sonny” Rich, age 98.

Beloved husband of Sally Rich, nee Stifter, for nearly 70 years. Dear father of Mari Strissel, Laurie (Binyomin) Babendir, and Susie (Jon) Brooke. Proud grandfather of Tony Strissel, James (Gittel) Babendir, Dr. Dan (Kylen) Strissel, Scott (Peri) Babendir, Amy (Dr. Mickey) Hahn, Aliza (Joseph) Roth, Hannah Brooke (fiancée Cypress Winter), Dr. Michaela Brooke (fiancé Abe Frolichstein-Appel), and Shai Babendir. Great-grandfather of Bracha Bayla, Yoel, Noah, Levi, Eliana, Nava, Hollis, and Nesanel. Cherished brother of the late Rose (the late Joe) Meyer. Favorite uncle of many nieces and nephews. Honored veteran of WWII.

Graveside service Tuesday, 10 AM at Shalom Memorial Park, 1700 W. Rand Road, Arlington Heights, IL 60004. Memorials in his memory to The Smyle Initiative, 8620 Hamlin Ave, Skokie, Illinois 60076 www.smyleinitiative.org. To attend the funeral livestream, please visit our website. Arrangements by Chicago Jewish Funerals - Skokie Chapel, 847.229.8822, www.cjfinfo.com


GUEST BOOK

We encourage you to share your personal condolences and stories of Morton "Sonny” Rich below and we will share them with the family.
*Email and phone numbers will NOT be displayed online


Dear Laurie and Benyomin and your entire family,
I was so sorry to hear of the death of your father, Sonny. Peri and Scott kept us posted on his health. Yesterday they mentioned how ill he was and they were very upset about it.
My thoughts are with you at this difficult time. May all of your beautiful memories help you through your sadness.
With sympathy,
Barbara

Barbara Blumberg
June 22, 2026
Dear Mari and the entire Rich family,

Curt and I send our deepest condolences on the passing of your beloved Sonny. He was such a bright light and we pray for peace and comfort during this extremely difficult time.

May he live in our hearts forever.

With love,
Colleen & Curt

Colleen Sandquist
June 22, 2026
Susie,
Sending you and your family our sincere sympathy, heartfelt condolences, and lots of love.Your father was a genuine and good man! I feel fortunate to have known him. Whenever we had fun sleepovers at your house, he was the nicest! May his memory forever be a blessing.

Sharon Schneider Shapiro
June 22, 2026
Dear Auntie Sally, Mari, Laurie and Binyomin, Susie and Jon, and the whole family,
We are in shock and sadness over the loss of your husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather and our dear uncle—Morton “Sonny” Rich.
We will miss him dearly and will always remember him as a kind -hearted Human Being and Soul, who hated California. We are surrounding all of you in healing love and light. We can’t wait until we see all of you —- our family, but we will miss seeing Uncle Sonny, and his dancing. Thank you so much for the Livestream you set up — we will be with you in Spirit.
We love you all,
Cousins Marcia and Bob

Marcia, Bob Siegel
June 22, 2026
I love u Sonny an thanks for letting me spend ur last days with caring for u an ur wife

Tina Yates
June 22, 2026
Dear Mari,

My condolences to you and your entire family on the loss of your dad. While we lost touch many years ago, our mothers knew each other from Faust of Italy. My mom often shared with me when she talked to your mom. That is a long time ago too as my mom passed away in 2008.

May your dad's memory always be a blessing to you.

Best regards,
Marc

Marc Cohen
June 23, 2026
Uncle Sonny was a great man. I feel honored to have known him. Sending love to all the family.
Diane Rossman

Diane Rossman
June 23, 2026
Our heartfelt condolences are with you. Sonny was a unique , his family always came first. Every conversation with him reflected that. He was a model of living life to its fullest. Sent with much affection. Geri and Jerry Sherman.

Gerald Sherman
June 24, 2026
Sally, Mari, Laurie & Susie,

I just found out about Sonny's passing this Friday. He was such friendly, kind & spunky man! My deepest condolences for your loss. I'll miss running into him at the local Dunkin Donuts. He was an inspiration & will be missed!

BEST LAURA KOPFSTEIN
June 29, 2026