Tragedy strikes Gustafson family of Naperville again
By Steve Lord slord@stmedianetwork.com January 12, 2013 7:42PM
Michael Gustafson participates in the 2012 Relay for Life at Naperville North High School. | Submitted
Updated: February 14, 2013 7:01AM
The family of Michael Gustafson had just buried the 15-year-old Naperville North High School freshman Saturday when they suffered another family tragedy.
Janet Carroll, Michael Gustafson’s grandmother, suffered a heart attack and died after the funeral. While no family members were available for comment Saturday, a spokesman for Friedrich-Jones Funeral Home in Naperville confirmed Carroll’s death. The funeral home will handle the arrangements for Carroll.
Michael Allen Gustafson died last week following a nearly five-year long battle with medullablastoma — a malignant brain tumor that was first discovered at the age of 10. The Naperville youngster, who battled through surgery and months of radiation and chemotherapy, proved to be an inspiration to many around him.
An athlete, he started as a gymnast, played baseball and basketball and eventually took up golf. He was a member of the Naperville North golf team. At the conclusion of the last season, he was awarded the DuPage Valley Conference Sportsman of the Year Award, which will be given annually from now on and named in his honor.
