03/12/08 Obituaries
James C. Murphy
Skylar Lynn Kunz
Claudia Grimaldi
Eva Lucile Opperman
Tanya M. Anderson
Paul Allen Wiedrich
Paul Allen Wiedrich, 29, Woodstock, died Monday, March 3, 2008.
He was born Sept. 28, 1978, in Eau Claire, Wis.
He worked at Brown’s Printing in Woodstock.
He was an avid Bears and White Sox fan. He liked to listen to music, especially Hank Williams Sr. Mostly, he loved spending time with his family and friends.
Survivors include his mother, Kathern Escobar, Woodstock; his maternal grandparents, George and Jean Wiedrich; a brother, David; two sisters, Jessica and Alicia; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, great-aunts and great-uncles.
Visitation and the funeral were March 7 at Schneider-Leucht-Merwin & Cooney Funeral Home, Woodstock. Burial was in McHenry County Memorial Park Cemetery, Woodstock.
Clifford Clinton Wickham Jr.
Clifford Clinton “Papa” Wickham Jr., 85, Woodstock, died Monday, March 3, 2008, at his home with his wife at his side.
He was born Jan. 7, 1923, in Greenwood, to Clifford C. and Anna (Weber) Wickham Sr. He married Anna Schaefer Oct. 4, 1947, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Johnsburg.
He attended St. Mary’s grade school and high school in Woodstock. He was a proud member of the St. Mary football team that went undefeated in 1939-40.
He worked as a welder in the shipyards in Sturgeon Bay, Wis., during World War II and later at Gordon Botts Welding in Woodstock. He worked in route sales for 36 years for Interstate & Continental Bakeries. He was then a school bus driver for nine years for Woodstock School District 200 until retiring in June 1995.
He belonged to St. Mary Catholic Church all of his life and was a 78-year resident of Woodstock.
He was a devoted husband who had enjoyed more than 60 years with his wife. He loved gardening, traveling, playing golf and dancing. He was an avid Chicago Bears fan. Above all else, he loved his family very much and was much loved by them in return.
Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Linda Wickham, Woodstock; a son, John (Sandy) Wickham, Woodstock; three granddaughters, Teri, Katelyn and Natalie Wickham; a sister, Theresa Ferguson; a brother-in-law, Harold (Florence) Schaefer; an aunt, Libby Weber; a cousin, Irene Raycraft; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Herbert and Catherine Weber, Clinton and Fannie Wickham and Jackson Garrison; his parents; two brothers, Walter and Wilbur (Ruth); a sister, Marian Padolski; and many brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.
Visitation was March 6 at Schneider-Leucht-Merwin & Cooney Funeral Home, Woodstock. The funeral Mass was celebrated March 7 at St. Mary Catholic Church, with the Rev. Robert Jones officiating. Interment was in Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Woodstock.
Memorials can be made to Anna Wickham or Monarch Hospice, 3115 N. Wilke Road, Suite H, Arlington Heights, IL 60004. Memorial Masses in his name would be appreciated.
John Eggum
John Eggum, 94, Woodstock, died Tuesday, March 4, 2008, at an assisted living home in Monroe, Wis.
He was born Aug. 25, 1913, in Chicago, to Espin and Caroline (Johannson) Eggum. He married Miriam L. Schrecke July 24, 1937.
He came from a family of seven children and a broken home and lived for a time in an orphanage. He started as an office boy and rose to become a top executive of Arvey Corporation and administrator of a major charitable foundation, Regenstein Foundation. He attended night school and also the Walton School of Commerce while working at Arvey.
In 1956, he and his wife purchased 100 acres on Alden Blacktop, moved to McHenry County and developed an outstanding Holstein dairy herd. He had been semi-retired since 1985.
He was a major supporter of the Woodstock Opera House, Adult & Child Rehab Center, Woodstock Early Learning Center and McHenry County Catholic Education Foundation. He served as a trustee of the Woodstock Rural Fire Department. He was active in numerous city organizations including the Lions Club.
He enjoyed barbershop singing and golf and played until about 10 years ago.
Survivors include his wife; two sons, John (Pamela) N. Eggum, Oak Park, and William A. Eggum, Monroe; a daughter, Karen Wells (fiancé Jerry Penfield), Woodstock; four grandchildren, Donald P. (Melinda) Wells, Karel (Randal) Litton, John P. Eggum and Michael A. Eggum; four great-grandchildren, Drake Friedman, Samantha Friedman, Fiona Wells and Abigail Rose Litton; a nephew, Dr. Paul (Debbie) R. Eggum; two great-nephews, John (Jan) Eggum and Jim Eggum; and other nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers; three sisters; a great-nephew, Pete Eggum; and a son-in-law, Robert Wells.
Visitation was March 9 at Schneider-Leucht-Merwin & Cooney Funeral Home, Woodstock. The funeral was March 10 at Grace Lutheran Church, Woodstock. Internment was in McHenry County Memorial Park Cemetery, Woodstock.
James C. Murphy
James C. Murphy died Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2008.
Murphy was married to Mary Lou Peasley Murphy, who died in August 2004 and was a sister of Woodstock resident Don Peasley.
A gathering of family and friends will be at 9 a.m. Saturday, March 15, at Ridgefield-Crystal Lake Presbyterian Church, 8505 Church St., Ridgefield, in fellowship hall.
A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. at the church.
Skylar Lynn Kunz
Skylar Lynn Kunz, 11 months, Wonder Lake, died Monday, March 3, 2008, at Centegra Northern Illinois Medical Center, McHenry.
She was born March 30, 2007, in Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, to Michael R. and Kelly (Koch) Kunz.
She was born a miracle baby at 1 pound, 15 ounces. She came home in November 2007.
Survivors include her parents; her maternal grandmother, Sue (Arnold) Schmidt, Union; her maternal grandfather, Lawrence (Marie) Koch, Woodstock; her paternal grandparents, Albert (Anita) Kunz, McHenry; her maternal great-grandparents, Dennis (Sharon) Moore, Prescott, Ariz., and Alice (Dale) Jenne, Marengo; her paternal great-grandmother, Mildred Wiser, Marshall, Mich.; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.
Visitation was March 7 at George R. Justen & Son Funeral Home, McHenry. The funeral was March 8 at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, McHenry, with the Rev. Roger Schneider officiating. Interment was in Cole Cemetery, Spring Grove.
Memorials can be made to the family to set up a foundation in Skylar’s name that will allow other parents the comfort to stay with their loved one at difficult times.
Online condolences can be sent to the family at www.justenfh.com.
Claudia Grimaldi
Claudia Grimaldi, 81, Hebron, died Wednesday, March 5, 2008, at her home surrounded by loved ones.
She was born Oct. 31, 1926, in Chicago, to Sabino and Frances (Partipilo) DeNicolo. She married Santo Grimaldi Sept. 1, 1946, in Melrose Park.
She and her husband were residents of Melbourne Beach, Fla., before recently moving in with her daughter in Hebron.
Survivors include her husband; a son, Jon Joseph (Kay) Grimaldi; five daughters, Sandra (Paul) Gammel, Meri (Ron) Lauterbach, Claudia Dunne, Louanne (Alan) Brown and Laura Grimaldi; nine grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren and another on the way.
She was preceded in death by her parents, four brothers and a sister.
The funeral Mass was celebrated March 8 at St. Mary Catholic Church, Woodstock, with Bishop Timothy J. Lyne officiating. Burial was in Linn-Hebron Cemetery, Hebron.
Memorials can be made to Seasons Hospice, 606 Potter Road, Des Plaines, IL 60016.
Arrangements were made by Schneider-Leucht-Merwin & Cooney Funeral Home, Woodstock.
Eva Lucile Opperman
Eva Lucile “Lu” Opperman, 94, Woodstock, died Monday, March 3, 2008, at Centegra Northern Illinois Medical Center, McHenry.
She was born Dec. 7, 1913, in Maywood, to Halford and Eva (Calcott) Rigsby.
She married John Manning in 1932. After his death, she then moved from Chicago to Pennsylvania and married Robert Opperman.
She lived independently until age 93 and loved gardening, cooking and volunteer work. She had a strong and continuing affiliation with the Lutheran Church throughout her life.
Survivors include two daughters, Nancy Manning (John) Koslelny and Marion (Edvin) Krause; five grandchildren Richard A. Pain Jr., Susan Pain Sutphin (also her goddaughter), Kathleen (Heribert) Stumpf, Karen (Patrick Phillips) Krause and Kevin (Steve Shular) Krause; 12 great-grandchildren, Richard A. Pain III, Martina (Mark) Guzman, Lauren, Michelle and Vanessa Pain, John J. Jamison III, Stuart B. Sutphin IV, Colin R. Rhoads, Clayton N. Rhoads, Amanda (Joshua) Hart, and Amber L. and Hannah R. Phillips; a great-great-granddaughter, Madison Guzman; many nieces and nephews, including a special bond with her nephew, Ken Rigsby; and special friend Kathy Terzinski and her children, Lauren and Alex.
She was preceded in death by her first husband in 1962 and her second husband in March 1981.
The memorial service was March 7 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Woodstock.
Memorials can be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church.
Arrangements were made by the Cremation Society of Illinois.
Tanya M. Anderson
Tanya M. Anderson, 24, Woodstock, died Wednesday, March 5, 2008, at the University of Wisconsin Medical Center, Madison, Wis.
She was born June 27, 1983, in Chicago.
She was a graduate of McHenry East High School. She attended Illinois State University and was a member of Pi Beta Phi.
She had worked as an activity assistant at Valley Hi Nursing Home, Woodstock.
Survivors include her parents, Jack A. and Diane E. (Tillotson) Anderson; five brothers, Jeffrey (Janice) Markussen, James Anderson, Christopher Anderson (Cecily), Joe Sandoval and Franco Sandoval; seven sisters, Jill Sandoval, Jennifer (Kevin) McBride, Cynthia (Steven) White, Ingrid (Adam) Freund, Kristin (Randy) Splitt, Jessica Anderson (Rob) and Jasmin Sandoval; her maternal grandmother, Marcia Forke; many aunts and uncles; 13 nieces and nephews; and her best friend, Anthony.
Visitation was March 9 at Colonial Funeral Home, McHenry. The funeral was March 10 at Zion Lutheran Church, McHenry.
Interment was in Windridge Memorial Park Cemetery, Cary.
Memorials can be made to the family for later gifts to the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Ronald McDonald House.
Helen Elizabeth Coors
Helen Elizabeth Coors, 82, Woodstock, formerly of Chicago, died Thursday, March 6, 2008, at Hospice of Northeastern Illinois Inpatient Unit, Woodstock.
She was born May 30, 1925, in Chicago, to Andrew and Margaret (Petri) Russo. She married Gerald Coors July 20, 1946, in Chicago.
She graduated from Immaculata High School, Chicago, where she became proficient in piano and began a lifelong love of music. She became an expert classical pianist and enjoyed a brief career as an accompanist. She played both piano and organ throughout her life and entertained her family. She worked as a receptionist and switchboard operator for Stanley Spring, Chicago, where she made many friends. Most of all, she loved spending time at home with her family.
Survivors include two daughters, Bonnie (John) Coors Kuzma and Suzanne (Denis) Coors Abbate; and two grandchildren, Daniel (Kelly Williams) Abbate and Emily Abbate.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; a sister, Elizabeth Brun; and a son, Gary Coors.
The funeral Mass will be March 11 at St. Mary Catholic Church, Woodstock.
Interment will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery, River Grove.
Memorials can be made to Hospice of Northeastern Illinois, 410 S. Hager Ave., Barrington, IL 60010, or to the charity of the donor’s choice.
Arrangements were made by Schneider-Leucht-Merwin & Cooney Funeral Home, Woodstock.
Herbert ‘Herb’ R. Evertsen
Herbert “Herb” R. Evertsen, 75, Woodstock, died peacefully Friday, March 7, 2008, at his home, surrounded by his family and his dog, “D,” after a courageous battle with lung cancer.
He was born Aug. 10, 1932, in Chicago, to Robert and Darlene (Windsteadt) Evertsen. He married Carmella “Ella” Dispetto in 1953.
He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was a member of the Woodstock American Legion and the Woodstock Moose.
He moved to Lake in the Hills in 1963 and served as a police officer from 1964 to 1969. He then moved to Crystal Lake, before making his final move to Woodstock in 1988.
He was the owner of Suburban Screw Machine Co., Woodstock, from which he retired in 1998 to spend time on his property. He loved to be outside watching the wildlife and gardening.
Survivors include his wife; three sons, Mike Evertsen, Woodstock, Robert (Judy) Evertsen, Crystal Lake, and Russ Evertsen, Woodstock; two daughters, Dawn (Kurt) Krumwiede, Crystal Lake, and Debbie (Dan) Kvidera, Crystal Lake; 10 grandchildren, Chad Harbin, Erik Evertsen, Dan Anderson, Tom Evertsen, Cody Evertsen, Tyler Kvidera, Lisa Evertsen, Hailee Kvidera, Mackenzi Evertsen and Adam Evertsen; a great-grandchild, Ashley Harbin; his stepmother, Georgians Evertsen, Crystal Lake; a brother, Richard (Tonya) Evertsen, Woodstock; a sister-in-law, Rosemary Fabris, Florida; many nieces and nephews; and family friend Bob Stoddard, Woodstock.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Donna Pruski; and a brother, William Evertsen.
Visitation and service were March 10 at Skaja Bachmann Funeral Home, Crystal Lake, with the Rev. Joseph Kulak officiating.
Rose Marie Gehrke
Rose Marie Gehrke, 69, Woodstock, died Saturday, March 8, 2008, at Kindred Hospital, Sycamore, surrounded by her friends and family.
She was born Nov. 24, 1938, in Chicago, to Roy Taylor and Frances (Hoffman) Rollins. She married Richard Gehrke Sr. July 17, 1976, in McHenry.
She was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church, Woodstock. She was owner and operator of Rose Marie Beauty Shop. She frequently went to the homes of people who were unable to go out for haircuts. She was a member of the Woodstock Moose Lodge, serving as past senior regent.
She loved to garden and sew. Her happiest times were spent with her family.
Survivors include two daughters, Tammy (Tim) Sullivan and Tina (Jim) Seekings; four grandchildren, Tim (Jill) Sullivan, Meghan (Adam Nothnagel) Sullivan, Richard Seekings and Kimberly Seekings; three great-grandchildren, Kristine Stasiek, Nick Orosco and Chandler Sullivan; and two brothers, Duke Huff and Lee (Sandy) Rollins.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and a son, Richard Gehrke Jr.
Visitation was March 11 at Schneider-Leucht-Merwin & Cooney Funeral Home, Woodstock. The funeral Mass was celebrated March 12 at St. Mary Catholic Church, with the Rev. Robert Jones officiating. Burial was in McHenry County Memorial Park, Woodstock.
Brian Mark Blue
Brian Mark Blue, 37, Mill Creek, Wash., died Saturday, March 8, 2008, after a courageous two-year battle with cancer.
He was born Dec. 24, 1970, in Woodstock, to Patricia Ann Henke.
Survivors include a daughter, Isabella Blue, Seattle; his father; his grandmother, Jeanette Sweet, Woodstock; two sisters, Heather (Jay) Wildin, Mill Creek, and Hillary (Darrell) Brestar, Everrett, Wash.; four aunts and uncles, Connie (Don) Hyde, Sandy Sweet and Dave (Sue) Sweet, all of Woodstock, and Laurie (Somer) Sweet, Schaumburg; a niece, Paeton Wildin, Mill Creek; eight cousins, Amy (Mike) Thornton, Scott Sweet, Denise Hyde and Darrick Hyde, all of Woodstock, Angie (Kevin) Sweet, Schaumburg, Shawn (Kim) Sweet, Genoa City, Wis., Shannon Sweet, Crystal Lake, Danialle (Barry) Awe, Greer, S.C.; and his cousin and best friend, Darrin (Shino) Hyde, Seattle.
He was preceded in death by his mother and his grandfather, Mark Sweet.
Visitation was March 13 at the Barton Family Funeral Home, Kirkland, Wash. A memorial service was held March 14 in Washington.
Memorials can be made to his family, in care of Jeanette Sweet, Woodstock.
Paul W. Sutton
Paul W. Sutton, 70, Naperville, formerly of Woodstock, died Saturday, March 8, 2008, after a long battle with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
He was born Aug. 18, 1937, in Dell, Wis., to the Rev. Warren and Edna Sutton. He married Lana Thompson in 1965.
He attended Reedsburg Senior High School, Reedsburg, Wis. He graduated summa cum laude from North Central College, Naperville, in 1958, with a triple major in mathematics, physics and chemistry. He earned a doctorate in physical chemistry from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
He taught from 1962 to 2000 at North Central College in the departments of physics, chemistry and computer science. He offered leadership in curriculum development and served as chairman of several departments. He met his future wife when she was a student in one of his classes. His wife, both of their children and their daughter-in-law all have degrees from North Central.
He received the Clarence Dissinger Award For Teaching from North Central and was named the first chair holder of the Harold and Eva White Distinguished Professor in the Liberal Arts. After his retirement, he was named professor emeritus by North Central.
He was active as a layperson in the United Methodist Church on the local, district and conference levels. He was presented The Bishop Marjorie Matthews Award for his work on the Commission on Status and Role of Women.
Other interests included music, bridge and Habitat for Humanity. His love for nature inspired him and his family to plant 3,000 trees on their wilderness property. He also conducted personal research as a fellow at Argonne National Laboratory.
He donated his body for medical research through the Anatomical Gift Association of Illinois.
Survivors include his wife, the Rev. Dr. Lana Thompson Sutton, Naperville; a son, Chad A. (Stephanie) Sutton, Rolling Meadows; a daughter, Dr. Claire N. Sutton, Naperville; a grandson, Shane L. Sutton; and many cousins, nieces, nephews and their children.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
A memorial service was held March 15 at Community United Methodist Church, Naperville. North Central College will hold a memorial service at noon Tuesday, March 25, at Koten Chapel on the campus.
Memorials can be made to the University of Wisconsin Foundation, 1848 University Ave., Madison, WS 53726-4090; the St. Thomas United Methodist Church building fund, 2 South 511 Route 53, Glen Ellyn, IL 60137; or the North Central College Paul W. Sutton Scholarship Fund, NCC Development Office, 30 N. Brainard St., Naperville, IL 60540.
Arrangements were made by Friedrich-Jones Funeral Home, Naperville.
Marilyn 'Mim' Rhino
Marilyn “Mim” Rhino, 75, Crystal Falls, Mich., died Tuesday, March 4, 2008, at the Iron County Medical Facility, Crystal Falls, after a long battle with cancer.
She was born June 1, 1932, at home in the New Bristol Location in Crystal Falls Township, to George and Margaret (Stevenson) Dahl. She married Albert “Al” Rhino June 1, 1950, in Chicago.
She attended Forest Park schools until her junior year and graduated from Steinmetz High School, Chicago.
She was a stay-at-home mother until her youngest child went to school. She worked 10 years as office assistant for Harold Boberg, D.C. In 1976, she and her husband bought McGregor’s Resort, later known as Fortune Lake Cabins, and they ran the resort for 21 years. In 1995, they began dividing their time between homes in Florida and Michigan.
She was a member of United Lutheran Church in Crystal Falls, serving on the altar guild and the counting committee. She was a past member of the North Country Kickers, a Red Hat Society member, a Girl Scout leader and an organizer the Newcomers Club. She loved her family, friends and home.
Survivors include her husband; two daughters, Denise Nelson, California, and Debbi (Robin) Lynd, Woodstock; a son, Albert (Melissa) Rhino, Woodstock; 10 grandchildren, Elizabeth (Christopher) Loser, Britta Nelson, Erik (fiancée Ashley Nunan) Lynd, Jacob, Charles and Stephen Nelson, Alex, Nicole and Lydia Rhino and David Lynd; four great-grandchildren, Annelise Loser and Joshua, Jacob and Jeremiah Cook; a sister, Andrea (James) Paetsch; two stepbrothers, Paul (Renee) Cram and Russell (Jeanie) Cram; two stepsisters, Evelyn (the late Don) Hebein and Gloria (Ray) Plank; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her stepparents, Tony Parochelli and Ellen Dahl; and two stepbrothers, Harry and Robert Cram.
There was no visitation. A memorial service will be held June 16 in Crystal Falls.
Memorials can be made to the United Lutheran Church, 506 Superior Ave., P.O. Box 390, Crystal Falls, MI 49920.
Online condolences can be sent to the family at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com.
Arrangements were made by Erickson-Rochon and Nash Funeral Home, Iron Mountain, Mich.
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