Wayne K. Gieseke, 77, Garden Prairie, died Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016, at Mercy Harvard Hospital, Harvard. He was born Sept. 1, 1938, to Lester and Mildred (Bieger) Gieseke in Evanston.  On Feb. 4, 1961, he married Josephine K. Lohr in Arlington Heights.  He served in the U.S. Army.  He was a member of the Plumbers Union 130 U.A. Survivors include his wife; three children, Wanda (Jeff) Grover, Wendy (Gordy) Rinda and Wayne (Pam) Gieseke Jr.; three grandchildren, Colin Grover, Kelsey Grover and Georgia Rinda; two sisters, Jean Strom and Donna Anderson; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents. A memorial gathering will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 22, at Schneider-Leucht-Merwin

Karin Nuelle, 63, Woodstock, died Thursday, Jan. 14, 2016, at Advocate Condell Medical Center, Libertyville.  She was born June 9, 1952, at Fort Bragg, N.C. As a result of her military upbringing, she was a former resident of many places around the world including Virginia, Norway and Germany. She lived in Woodstock for the past 25 years. She was a 1974 graduate of Indiana University, and served for more than two decades as executive director for the Illinois Head Start Association’s Community Action Agency for McHenry County. She was a past president of the Woodstock Rotary Club where she was very active. She also was active in the Woodstock community, in particular with the Christmas Clearing House program.  Survivors include

Richard A. Soboleski, 77, Woodstock, died peacefully Thursday, Jan. 14, 2016, after a long battle with heart disease. Born in Chicago, he was self-employed as a home-improvement exhibition producer and retired from his livelihood 15 years ago. He was a Chicago sports fan and particularly loved the Bulls, Cubs and Bears. Survivors include his wife of 46 years, Judith; three sisters, Patricia (Nick) Pagoria, Delores (Don) Chapman and Julie (Victor) Victa; and many beloved nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Julius and Ann (Jotowski) Soboleski; and his stepmother, Clara (Kryger) Soboleski.  Visitation will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 23, at St. Mary Catholic Church, 312 Lincoln Ave., Woodstock, until the funeral Mass at

Norlita Chidester, 70, Woodstock, died Monday, Jan. 11, 2016, at her home. She was born May 17, 1945, to Maximo and Vicenta (Sales) Aggacid in Bacarra Ilocos Norte, Philippines. On Dec. 17, 1971, she married Robert A. Chidester in Oak Park. She graduated from the University of the Philippines with a degree in nursing. She went on to further her education at Loyola University in Chicago where she obtained her master’s degree as a nursing instructor. She also had a master’s degree from Governors State University. She worked at Cook County Hospital for more than 35 years. She was proud to have attended her class reunion celebrating her 50th graduation anniversary from the University of the Philippines. She loved to garden

Donald R. “Don” Steffen, 67, Rockford, formerly of Woodstock, died Jan. 3, 2016, in Alpine Fireside Health Center.  He was born Sept. 9, 1948, to Walter and Bertha (Wienke) Steffen in Woodstock.  On July 8, 1972, he married Ruth Mahnke at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Rockford.  He graduated from Woodstock High School in 1966. He then attended the University of Houston. His education was interrupted by U.S. Army service. He served a tour of duty in Vietnam as a radio operator and was awarded the Purple Heart and other medals. After his discharge, he attended Herzing Institute in Rockford where he met his future wife.  He completed his education at Northern Illinois University. His entire career was in the computer field.