If you've spent any time in the Chicago suburbs, you know the Daily Herald isn't just a paper. It's the record of the town. Honestly, when someone passes away in Arlington Heights, Elgin, or Libertyville, the first place neighbors look is the daily herald news obituaries. It is how the community says goodbye.
Finding these records can be a bit of a maze if you aren't sure where to click. You’re often looking for a specific person, perhaps an old friend or a relative, and you want more than just a date. You want the story. The Daily Herald has been capturing these stories since before the suburbs were even "the suburbs."
Where the records actually live
Most people think they can just Google a name and the full tribute will pop up instantly. Kinda, but not always. The Daily Herald currently partners with Legacy.com to host their modern notices.
If the passing happened recently—meaning within the last few years—you’ll likely find it on the official Daily Herald obituary page. It’s updated constantly. You can see names like Candace K. Bare or Patricia Tanner appearing right at the top of the 2026 listings.
But what if you're looking for something older? That’s where it gets tricky.
For anything deep in the archives, you usually have to look at specialized databases. Sites like GenealogyBank or NewspaperArchive hold the scanned pages of the Daily Herald (and its predecessor, the Cook County Herald) going back decades. It's a goldmine for family history. You aren't just getting a name; you’re seeing the 1950s font, the old local ads, and the way the community talked about its own back then.
How much does it cost to post?
Death is expensive. Putting a notice in the paper shouldn't be, but it adds up.
If you are trying to place an obituary today, prices usually start around $245. That's the baseline for a local distribution in the Daily Herald - Suburban Chicago edition.
Here is what that typically gets you:
- A printed notice in the physical newspaper.
- An online memorial on Legacy.com that stays up permanently.
- A guestbook where people can leave those "sorry for your loss" comments that actually mean a lot later on.
If you want to add photos—which everyone does—or more text, that price climbs. Some people try to save money by keeping it short, but honestly, these are the records our grandkids will find. It's usually worth the extra few bucks to include that detail about their love for the Cubs or their secret chili recipe.
The "Little" Herald that grew up
It’s sort of wild to think about, but the Daily Herald started as a tiny operation. Hosea Paddock bought the Palatine Enterprise back in 1898. By the 1920s, it was the Arlington Heights Herald.
Why does this matter for your search? Because if you’re looking for daily herald news obituaries from the early 20th century, you have to search by those old names. You won't find a 1930 "Daily Herald" obituary because the paper hadn't even taken that name yet.
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The paper expanded into Lake, DuPage, Kane, and McHenry counties over the years. This means its obituary reach is huge. It covers the "Golden Corridor" and beyond. If someone lived in the Northwest suburbs, this is their paper of record.
Real-world tips for searching
Don't just type a name into a search bar and give up. Use the tools that professional genealogists use.
- Check the local library: Places like the Des Plaines Public Library or the Arlington Heights Memorial Library have "Ancestry Library Edition." It’s free if you’re inside the building. You can search the Daily Herald archives there without paying for a personal subscription.
- Search by maiden names: This is the big one. If you can’t find a woman’s record, search for her parents' names or her maiden name. Often, the Daily Herald would list "Nee [Name]" in the header.
- Verify the funeral home: Many funeral homes, like Gibbons in Elmhurst or Shalom Memorial in Arlington Heights, post the full text on their own sites first. If the newspaper version is behind a paywall, the funeral home version usually isn't.
Why these notices still matter
In a world of fast social media posts, a formal obituary feels different. It’s permanent.
The daily herald news obituaries serve a specific purpose for the Chicago suburbs. They connect the sprawling towns of the Northwest. When you read about Ernest "Ernie" Lenzini or Joan Andejeski, you aren't just reading a death notice. You’re seeing the fabric of the community—the veterans, the teachers, the engineers who built these towns.
Basically, these records are the heartbeat of suburban history. Whether you are doing genealogy or just looking for a service time, knowing how to navigate the digital and physical archives makes all the difference.
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Actionable steps for your search
To find a specific obituary right now, your best move is to start at the Daily Herald’s section on Legacy.com for anything within the last 20 years. If the record is older, check if your local library provides access to NewsBank or NewspaperArchive. These services allow you to search the actual PDF pages of the paper, which helps you see the obituary exactly as it appeared on the day it was printed. For those looking to submit a new notice, contacting a local funeral home is the easiest route, as they handle the formatting and submission directly with the Herald's staff.