Free Republic

CHICAGO (AP) — Roger Ebert, the most famous and most popular film reviewer of his time who also became the first journalist to win a Pulitzer Prize for movie criticism, and on his long-running TV program, wielded the nation's most influential thumb, died Thursday. He was 70. Ebert, who had been a film critic for the Chicago Sun-Times since 1967, died early Thursday afternoon at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, his office said. He had announced on his blog Wednesday that he was undergoing radiation treatment after a recurrence of cancer.

On the day after Easter, 2013, family, friends and FReepers from far and wide packed The Sweeney Funeral Home to share tears and the many tales of Doctor Raoul’s adventures in the cause of Theodore Roosevelt’s Americanism: “Americanism means the virtues of courage, honor, justice, truth, sincerity and hardihood – the virtues that made America.” In his tribute to Doctor Raoul, Kristinn relates from personal experience how Doctor Raoul lived his Americanism. Even though Doctor Raoul didn’t appear from behind a door and shout “April Fool”, his presence was everywhere. The 1957 Chevy hearse parked out front; the Philly soft...

We lost AGreatPer last year. He passed away in August. He was 73.His passing was missed as his wife, who would have notified FR, had preceded him in death.He last posted in July, 2012. AGreatPer was a D.C. Chapter stalwart who traveled from Pennsylvania numerous times to stand with us outside the Clinton White House, Cheney's House, troop support rallies, counter-demonstrations of anti-American leftists and our six-year-long Walter Reed vigil.AGreatPer had a great personality, he was a pleasure to be around at a freep and at our after-freep lunches and dinners.Trueblackman, BufordP and AGReatPer at Walter Reed, October 8, 2010.

Doctor Raoul died Saturday of a rare form of cancer. He was 58. Raoul's family contacted us this morning to see if they could find out more about his activities as an activist. This is such a shock. His family is looking for photos and stories about him. He is and always will be a Free Republic icon. He kind of fell off the face of the earth about 2 or 3 years ago now. All attempts we made to reach him failed. If you have photos please contact me. Please feel free to post stories and I will make...

Peter Banks, a founding member of the British progressive rock band Yes and its original guitarist, has died at his home in London. He was 65. A statement on Banks’ website said he died on March 7 and was found in his home after he failed to show up for a recording session. …

Mindy McCready, who hit the top of the country charts before personal problems sidetracked her career, has died. She was 37. Waren Olmstead, the coroner in Cleburne County, Ark., said in a statement McCready died Sunday apparently of a single, self-inflicted gunshot wound. An autopsy is pending. Just last month David Wilson, McCready’s boyfriend and the father of her 9-month-old son Zayne, was found dead on the same porch where McCready's body was found. His death also was investigated as a suicide. McCready entered court-ordered rehab earlier this month after her father told a judge she was no longer taking...

FReeper Rogle, former New Mexico State Representative Rory Ogle, will be removed from life support this morning. He is not expected to live.

It is with deep sadness and regret that I report the passing Wednesday morning of FReeper Eastbound (Dave Schultz). In an email to Jim Robinson, Dave's son said: Hello, I’m Dave’s son, Ken. I’m so sorry to say the Dave “Eastbound” passed away Wednesday morning. I know Free Republic was one of his favorite forums, so if anyone might want to know that he’s gone, please pass it on if you would. Thank you, sincerely. Dad spent many many hours at FR for years. ~ Ken Schultz Prayers and condolences can be sent to Ken at ken@apachego.com.

Yellow Rose of Texas is in the hospital for surgery. The odds are not in her favor, this all I know now. I will post more when I know.

It is with great sadness and regret that I post: Joseph Phillips OD, aka “BadJoe,” passed away today, November 1, 2012, after a long illness. Joe wanted to hang on until November 7, 2012, but lost his struggle just a few days too early. Joe was a patriot, a lover of liberty, and an independent-minded gentleman. He leaves behind family, friends, and a loving wife. He will be missed. RIP BadJoe.

(CNN) - Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill's 84-year-old mother, Betty Anne Ward McCaskill, died on Monday, the senator from Missouri said in a statement on Monday. "For some time, mom's health has not been good, and our family takes comfort that she is now at rest," McCaskill wrote. "People all over the state have asked about her, and their prayers and concern have been greatly appreciated."

According to the AP ex Sen Arlen Specter has died.

Beano Cook, a longtime staple of the Pittsburgh sports scene and an ESPN college football studio commentator since 1986, died Wednesday night. He was 81. Cook, a 1954 University of Pittsburgh grad, began his career as a sports publicist for the school from 1956-66. He later worked with a number of organizations, including the Pittsburgh Civic Arena. Cook Beano Cook's breadth of knowledge of the history of the college game earned him the moniker as the "Cardinal of College Football." Cook was a studio commentator for ABC from 1982-85 before joining ESPN. He also worked as ABC's press director from...

Donald Jeffrey Casser (“DJ” to his friends and Jeff within the family) succumbed to lung cancer and its related complications on January 13 at Columbia-St. Mary’s Hospital in Milwaukee. He is preceded in death by his father, Donald G. Casser, and is survived by his mother, Carolyn Casser (Wauwatosa); sister, Linda Casser Locke (Philadelphia), brother-in-law, Keith E. Locke, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Jeff was born on May 8, 1955, in New Hampshire while his father served as a pilot with the US Navy and spent the majority of his life in Wauwatosa and Milwaukee. From his earliest years, he expressed...

Susie Walker lost her brief fight with cancer last Friday.During her struggle, I had asked for, and many of you graciously responded with, prayer support for her and her family. Now, she is in the arms of the angels.

We lost another FReeper last week - Waco. His sister GrannyK wanted to post about it. He was very active on FR until May of this year when he entered the hospital. He was an Air Force veteran (74 yrs young) & very conservative.

'Actor Michael Clarke Duncan, who rose to prominence playing a death row inmate in the acclaimed film The Green Mile, has died at the age of 54. Duncan suffered a heart attack in July and died at a hospital in Los Angeles after failing to recover. A former bodyguard, the 6ft 4in (1.93m) Duncan was an imposing figure who played a wide variety of screen roles. He was nominated for an Oscar in 1999 for The Green Mile, but also played action roles and voiced animated parts. His versatility saw him team up with Bruce Willis to save the Earth...

Clarke died Monday morning at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, where he was being treated for a heart attack, said his fiancee, Reverend Omarosa Manigault, in a statement released by publicist Joy Fehily.

LOS ANGELES — “Green Mile” actor Michael Clarke Duncan dead at 54, his fiancée says.