Trust the Torch!

Obituaries

Alice A. Grabbert, 93, Crystal Lake, formerly Hebron

Alice A. Grabbert, 93, Crystal Lake, formerly of Hebron, died Monday, Feb. 29, 2016, at Fountains of Crystal Lake, Crystal Lake. She was born Feb. 9, 1923, to Edwin and Freda (McMillin) Berry in Richland Center, Wis. On Aug. 24, 1941, she married Edward C. Grabbert in Hebron. She graduated from Harvard High School in 1941. She was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Hebron. She was a member of Hebron Service Club, Hebron Senior Coffee Mates and Harvard Moose. She worked as a painter at Autolite in Woodstock for more than 30 years. She lived a full life and enjoyed traveling to many countries. Living in Hebron most of her adult life, she was a “winter Texan” and lived

Dorothy Caroline Woodward, 91, Woodstock

Dorothy Caroline Woodward, 91, Woodstock, died Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2016, at Centegra Hospital-McHenry, surrounded by her loving family. She was born Dec. 23, 1924, to Francis and Elizabeth (Schlueter) Neumann in Oak Park.  On Nov. 4, 1947, she married Robert R. Woodward in Elmhurst. He tragically preceded her in death July 7, 1972. She enjoyed gardening and cooking and was an avid reader. She was a very proud mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Taking care of her family was the most important thing in the world to her. Those who knew her will reflect that she always lived life to the fullest. Survivors include a son, Michael (Joyce Sedam) Woodward; a son-in-law, Glenn Crandall; three grandchildren, Jaime (Christopher) Ingeman, Kimberlin (Andrew)

Lavergne Peters, 96, Woodstock

Lavergne Peters, 96, Woodstock, died Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2016, at Crossroads Nursing Home, Woodstock.  She was born Dec. 10, 1919, to Frank and Lisetta (Kott) Erickson in Chicago.  On May 11, 1946, she married Clarence W. Peters in Chicago.  She worked as a secretary for Peters Antiques and Peters Motors. She and her husband were members of the Antique Car Club in Woodstock. She loved reading and music and passed on that passion to her son.  Survivors include a son, Craig (Wendy) Peters, Crystal Lake; two grandchildren, Tracy Peters, Sweden, and Ryan (Audrey) Peters, Woodstock; two great-grandchildren, Kane and Adrian Peters; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband and two sisters, Florence Zarth and

Richard Louis Shallenbarger, 73, Woodstock

Richard Louis Shallenbarger, 73, Woodstock, died Monday, Feb. 22, 2016, at Centegra Hospital-Woodstock surrounded by his loving family. He was born June 20, 1942, to Emerson O. and Rose (Zahradka) Shallenbarger, in Pana.  On July 24, 1986, he married Shirley (Dahse) Garrison in Woodstock. He worked for Woodstock Auto Lite and Woodstock Die Cast for many years. He was a former member of the Woodstock Moose Lodge. He also coached Little League and was an active leader in the Awana Club. Most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his loving family. Survivors include his wife; nine children, Brett Shallenbarger, Scott (Brad Burke) Shallenbarger, Chett Shallenbarger, Yvonne Jones, Geri Hall, Greg Garrison, Jeff (Gina) Garrison, Brian (Jen) Garrison and Steve

Dennis R. Dormann, 82, Wonder Lake

Dennis R. Dormann, 82, Wonder Lake, died Friday, Feb. 19, 2016, at Alden Terrace Nursing Home in McHenry. He was born June 23, 1933, to Vivian Dormann in Mountain Lake, Minn. He worked for many years as an independent distributor for the Chicago Tribune Newspaper. Survivors include a daughter, Beth (Steve) Laing; a son, Keith Dormann; six grandchildren, Alex, Cassie, Megan and Bridget Laing, Daniel and Drake Dormann; a step-daughter, Diane (Frank) Brokaw; a brother, Richard (Ealane) Wollin; his longtime companion, Geraldine Holmes; and his second  wife, Patricia Dormann. He was preceded in death by his mother; his first wife, Betty Lou Dormann; a brother, Dean Wollin; a stepson, Ron Stock; and a stepgrandson, Zach Brokaw. A memorial gathering will

Ann M. Aitken, 93, Chicago

Ann M. (Scardino) Aitken, 93, Chicago, died Thursday, Feb. 18, 2016, at Florence Nursing Home, Marengo, surrounded by family, friends and a caring staff. She was born March 25, 1922, to Antonio and Salvatora Scardino in Waukegan.  She lived in Chicago from 1951 to 2010, when she suffered a stroke.  She was a parishioner at St. Priscilla Catholic Church since 1952 and was a member of the B.V.M. Society until her stroke. An avid volunteer, her activities included being a Girl Scout leader, collecting for March of Dimes, sewing for Medical Mission, helping at bingo, helping with the Salvation Army and driving senior citizens to various appointments.  She was a stay-at-home mom for many years and enjoyed crafting, sewing, cooking

Olga Elizabeth Grasser, 91, Woodstock

Olga Elizabeth Grasser, 91, a lifelong resident of Woodstock, died Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2016, at her home. She was born Feb. 8, 1925, to Arvid L. and Matilda (Lienow) Nelson in Woodstock.  On Dec. 8, 1945, she married Francis “Fritz” Grasser in Woodstock.  She was a member of Grace Lutheran Church, Woodstock. For many years she worked as a dental assistant and receptionist at Dr. Duddleston’s Woodstock office. She loved to garden, especially growing roses. Survivors include a son, James Grasser; a daughter, Susan E. Gall; five grandchildren, Cynthia, Michael and Christopher Gall, Jamie (Jeffrey) Fox and Andrew Grasser. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Oct. 10, 2010; and an infant son, Gary John. The visitation

Holly Eve Keyl-Jones, 49, Capron

Holly Eve Keyl-Jones, 49, Capron, died peacefully Friday, Jan. 22, 2016, with her family by her side after almost a three-year battle with lung cancer.  She was born Dec. 26, 1966, to Richard and Janet Jones in Elgin.  She attended grade school in Woodstock and high school in Prairie du Chien and Patch Grove, Wis. While living in California, she went back to school and received an associate degree to become a medical assistant. After relocating back to Woodstock to be near her family, she worked for Sheltered Village for 13 years as a direct service provider. She loved all the residents and they all loved her. She cared and fought for them with her whole heart and was an

Betty M. Anderson, 90, Woodstock

Betty M. Anderson, 90, Woodstock, died Sunday, Feb. 7, 2016, at her home surrounded by her loving family. She was born March 23, 1925, to George and Elizabeth (Norton) Meyer Sr. in Woodstock. On Sept. 1, 1951, she married Raymond C. Anderson in Woodstock. He died May 9, 1982. She graduated from Woodstock Community High School. She was a member of Grace Lutheran Church, Woodstock. After her husband’s passing, she visited and traveled with her children. She also babysat for a number of children, many of whom still visited her and sent her birthday cards, Christmas cards and gifts. Survivors include three children, Ginny (Gary) Hansen, Sandy (Kevin) Sheahan and Todd (Indira) Anderson; a son-in-law, Ed Wettig; seven grandchildren, Christopher

Elisa Mendiola, 72, Woodstock

Elisa Mendiola, 72, Woodstock, died Feb. 5, 2016, at JourneyCare Hospice leaving this world with a fight to the very end. She was born June 14, 1943, in Texas and moved to Chicago.  She was the widow of Jose Mendiola II, who died July 24, 2008. She made the biggest mark on so many lives and in people’s hearts. She was a kind, amazing, strong, stubborn but most of all beautiful person inside and out. She was one to be the first to give a helping hand, and her famous saying was “Where there is a will there is a way.” She loved cooking for whoever would visit her and enjoyed spending time with all her family. She was a

Upcoming Events

Top Writers

Picture of Larry Lough

Larry Lough

Larry Lough is editor of The Independent and reports local news.

Picture of Janet Dovidio

Janet Dovidio

Janet Dovidio has been a freelance correspondent for The Independent for eight years.

Picture of Susan W. Murray

Susan W. Murray

Susan W. Murray wrote for The Independent, covering various beats, from 2005 to 2008.

Picture of Tricia Carzoli

Tricia Carzoli

Tricia Carzoli is a freelance writer and photographer that on community news.

Keep Exploring

Meet more of the new faces at the Woodstock Farmers Market By Susan W. Murray news@thewoodstockindependent.com The return of the Farmers Market to the…

Subscriber Access

Login