List of Famous people who died in 2017

Peter Skellern was an English singer-songwriter and pianist who rose to fame in the 1970s. He enjoyed two top twenty hits on the UK Singles Chart - "You're a Lady" (1972), which typifies his signature use of brass bands and choral arrangements for a nostalgic and romantic feel, and "Hold On To Love" (1975). In the 1980s, Skellern formed the band Oasis with Julian Lloyd Webber and Mary Hopkin and established a musical comedy partnership with Richard Stilgoe in cabaret. In 1981 he acted in the BBC television series Happy Endings, also composing a number of songs and released as an album.

François Chérèque was a French Trade unionist, and leader of the French trade union CFDT.

Issam Jad'aan Zahreddine, also transliterated as Issam Zaher Eldin or Issam Zaher al-Deen, was a Major General of the Syrian Republican Guard who played a major role in the Syrian Civil War, leading Syrian government forces on several fronts. His most prominent role was the leadership of the surrounded Syrian forces during the over three-year long Siege of Deir ez-Zor. On 18 October 2017, Zahreddine was killed by a land mine explosion during operations against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant on Saqr island in Deir ez-Zor.

Georg Enoch Robert Prosper Philipp Franz Karl Theodor Maria Heinrich Johannes Luitpold Hartmann Gundeloh Freiherr von und zu Guttenberg was a German conductor. He also owned the large winery estate Weingut Reichsrat von Buhl. He founded musical ensembles for performances of sacred choral works, and the Herrenchiemsee Festival. In 1975, he co-founded the BUND, a German organization dedicated to protecting the natural environment.

Carol Lee Scott was an English entertainer, best known for her role on British television in the 1980s and 1990s as "Grotbags". Throughout her career, Scott regularly performed on the international cabaret circuit, and prior to her TV work, she was a singer and released two albums.

Tarak Janubhai Mehta was an Indian columnist, humourist, writer and playwright who is best known for the column Duniya Ne Undha Chasma. He translated and adapted several comedies into Gujarati, and was a well-known figure in the Gujarati theatre.

Heley de Abreu Silva Batista was a Brazilian teacher. She gained notability after giving her own life in an act of courage to save children in the Tragedy of Janaúba. She saved at least 25 children, being considered a heroine.

Robert Hirsch was a French actor. He was a sociétaire of the Comédie-Française since 1952. In 1990, he won César Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his role in Hiver 54, l'abbé Pierre.

Julia Viellehner was a German long-distance duathlete and triathlete who competed in long-distance world duathlon and triathlon championships.

James Anthony Piersall was an American baseball center fielder who played 17 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for five teams, from 1950 through 1967. Piersall was best known for his well-publicized battle with bipolar disorder that became the subject of a book and a film, Fear Strikes Out.