At age 68, renowned Chicago radio host Lin Brehmer passes away

following a protracted fight with cancer, according to WXRT officials on Sunday morning.

Brehmer died early Sunday morning, WXRT's Terri Hemmert said in a statement.

We must inform you that we have all lost our best friend, and we do it with a heavy heart," she said.

"As long as he could, Lin Brehmer resisted the disease.

He died away quietly this morning, surrounded by his wife and kids."

Hemmert claims that the station will begin a special block of programming in memory of Brehmer.

Monday morning at 10 a.m., when Brehmer's show usually aired