04/09/08 Obituaries
Francis J. Dittberner
Loretta Figlewicz
Eugene ‘Gene’ R. Kuhn
Eugene “Gene” R. Kuhn, 95, Woodstock, died Monday, March 31, 2008, at Crystal Pines Health Care Center, Crystal Lake.
He was born March 8, 1913, in Woodstock, to Fred R. and Flora (Hobbs) Kuhn. He married Frances B. Bird Feb. 13, 1942, in Woodstock.
He was a veteran, serving in the U.S. Army from 1942 to 1945. He took over his father’s barbershop in the News Depot building overlooking the train station and operated it for more than 60 years. He gave many Woodstock children their first haircuts, and then their children, as well.
He was an avid golfer, Green Bay Packers fan and Chicago White Sox fan.
Survivors include a daughter, Penny (Roger) Hefner; two sons, Steven (Jan) Kuhn, Sycamore, and Tom Kuhn, Tampa, Fla.; seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and his longtime companion, Emily Jones.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife in 1977; an infant son, Richard Kuhn; and a brother, Floyd Kuhn.
Services were private.
Memorials can be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Arrangements were made by Schneider-Leucht-Merwin & Cooney Funeral Home, Woodstock.
Edward Alan Bott
Edward Alan Bott, 76, Crystal Lake, died Thursday, April 3, 2008, at Good Shepherd Hospital, Barrington.
He was born Feb. 18, 1932, in Oak Park to James L. and Lucy (Ashley) Bott. He married Diane R. Meyers Aug. 19, 1961.
He worked as an engineer for International Harvester in Libertyville for 30 years, retiring in 1990. For the past 16 years, he worked as a courtroom bailiff for the McHenry County Sheriff’s Department. He was a U.S. Army veteran, serving in the military police in the early 1950s.
Survivors include his wife; a son, James Arthur Bott, Crystal Lake; a daughter, Jennifer Rose Vandergooten, Corona, Calif.; a daughter-in-law, Hope Bott, Crystal Lake; two grandsons, Branden James and Trevor Alan Bott, both of Crystal Lake; a brother, David Bott, Woodstock; and a sister, Nancy McPherson, Apache Junction, Ariz.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Dorothy Navlyt.
Funeral and interment were private.
Memorials can be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
Arrangements were made by Schneider-Leucht-Merwin & Cooney Funeral Home, Woodstock.
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Francis J. Dittberner
Francis J. Dittberner, 90, Woodstock, died Friday, April 4, 2008, at Centegra Memorial Medical Center, Woodstock.
He was born Oct. 30, 1917, in rural Woodstock, to Herman and Margaret (Welch) Dittberner. He married Mazie B. Sterling May 14, 1943, in Salisbury, Md.
He was a veteran, serving from April 23, 1941, to June 25, 1945. He was a first sergeant, serving in the states and in Europe. He was a charter member of the Woodstock Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5040.
He was a 1937 graduate of St. Mary High School. He was involved in basketball and baseball and was an all-star end in football in 1936. He worked for the Woodstock Auto Lite for 30 years. He retired from the Auto Lite at an early age and opened his own painting and decorating company, which he operated for 20 years.
Survivors include his son, Jeffrey (Katie) Dittberner, Woodstock; and a granddaughter, Jennifer Dittberner, Woodstock.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife July 1, 1998; a daughter, Donna Dittberner Sept. 7, 2003; and a sister, Elaine Blodgett.
Visitation was April 7 at Schneider-Leucht-Merwin & Cooney Funeral Home. The funeral Mass was April 8 at St. Mary Catholic Church, Woodstock, with the Rev. Robert Jones officiating. Interment was in Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Woodstock.
Memorials can be made to St. Mary Church, Pioneer Center or Birth to Three Program.
Loretta Figlewicz
Loretta Figlewicz died Saturday, March 22, 2008, in Kent, Wash.
She was born July 6, 1912, in Woodstock, to Frank and Elizabeth Brady.
She resided in Sun City, Ariz., for many years.
Survivors include two sons, Robert (Pam) Figlewicz, Kent, and Edward Figlewicz, Venice, Calif.; and two grandchildren, Danielle and Michael Figlewicz.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Max Figlewicz.
There was no visitation.
Interment was in Calvary Cemetery, Woodstock.
Verda L. Dierzen
Verda L. Dierzen, 91, Woodstock, died Saturday, April 5, 2008, at Centegra Memorial Medical Center, Woodstock.
She was born Feb. 21, 1917, in Woodstock, to Oscar A. and Violet (Ainger) Anderson. She married Lawrence Dierzen June 6, 1941, in Woodstock.
After graduating from Woodstock High School, she attended Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, and graduated with a bachelor of science degree in education. She received a master’s degree in education administration from the University of Chicago. She first taught for District 10 in Greenwood as a teacher, then served as principal and curriculum coordinator. She then was an assistant superintendent and superintendent for District 10.
She was the assistant superintendent for Woodstock School District 200. She retired from the school district in 1981 after serving for 45 years. District 200 recognized her for her career in education by naming a school the Verda Dierzen Early Learning Center.
She was a life member of the Illinois Education Association and the National Education Association. She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma. She was also an active member of both the Illinois and McHenry County Retired Teachers associations. She enjoyed reading, sewing and crafts.
Survivors include a son, James (Stefany) Dierzen; a brother, Clayton (Doris) Anderson; four grandchildren, Jennifer (John) Midgette, Robert L. Dierzen, Bhianca Herrera and Dieby Herrera; two nieces, Suanne (Dale) Habbley and Susan Anderson; four great-nieces and great-nephews, Michael (Jeannine) Anderson, Elizabeth (Scott) Voigt, Amy (Michael) Kueht and Andrew Habbley; three great-grandchildren, Jonathan, Savannah and Samuel Midgette; and her faithful companion, Dusty.
She was preceded in death by her parents, and her husband Aug. 19, 1996.
Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until the memorial service at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 12, at the First United Methodist Church, Woodstock.
Burial will be private.
Memorials can be made to the Retired Teachers Association Scholarship Fund.
Arrangements were made by Schneider-Leucht-Merwin & Cooney Funeral Home, Woodstock.
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