Trust the Torch!

Obituaries

LeRoy M. Carlson, 98, Formerly of Woodstock

LeRoy M. Carlson, 98, formerly of Woodstock, died peacefully Monday, Oct. 26, 2015, at his home in Florida where he lived with his son, David, who cared for him. He was born Sept. 4, 1918, to Henry R. and Etta M. (Wheeler) Carlson. On Aug. 18, 1942, he married Marjorie Lehman. He attended Woodstock schools and graduated Woodstock Community High School in 1936. While in high school, he opened the Eastside Grocery in his parents’ house. After graduating, he worked at the Cittadella chicken farm for about a year, then took a job at the First National Bank in Woodstock. In 1942, he took a position as an accountant at Fitz Simmons & Connell Dredge & Dock Company in Chicago.

William R. Stecker, 78, Formerly of Woodstock

William R. Stecker, 78, Inverness, Fla., formerly of Woodstock, died Saturday, Oct. 31, 2015. He was born Jan. 3, 1937, to Ralph and Cora (Wilcox) Stecker in Palatine. On Aug. 2, 1958, he married Anita Moritz in Woodstock. He grew up on a farm in rural Woodstock and was a member of 4-H and FFA. He graduated from Woodstock High School in 1955 and served in the Navy from February 1956 to December 1957. He was a member of the Sheet Metal Workers Union, retiring in 1993. After retirement, he moved to Raymondville, Texas, where he enjoyed helping “his ladies” in various ways. He returned to Illinois  for three summers to work at the Chicago Northwest K.O.A., Union. He enjoyed

David Bublavy, 57, Woodstock

David Bublavy, 57, Woodstock, died Sunday, Oct. 25, 2015, at Centegra Hospital-Woodstock surrounded by his loving family. He was born May 19, 1958, to Joseph and Martha (Pfeiffer) Bublavy in Racine, Wis. He was a member of the Woodstock Moose Lodge.  He loved dogs, especially dachshunds.  He enjoyed playing cards and games with his family and friends.  He also enjoyed cooking and baking.  He was a kind-hearted person and would do anything for anyone in need.  He cherished the time spent with his children and grandchildren, and he will be missed by all who knew him. Survivors include three children, Arika Bublavy, Jeremy Bublavy and Theresa Bublavy; their mother, Sandra Bublavy; three grandchildren, Jacob, Ashlynn and Trinity; four siblings, Jerry

Mary E. Moricoli, 67, Woodstock

Mary E. Moricoli, 67, Woodstock, died Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2015, at the JourneyCare Hospice Center,  Woodstock. She was born Jan. 29, 1948, to Clyde and Hulda Shales in Elgin.  She married Edward Moricoli Oct. 15, 1989, in Woodstock. She graduated from Larkin High School in Elgin and worked as a court clerk at the McHenry County Government Center for the past 14 years. She was a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 932. One of her favorite places to visit was Door County. Survivors include her husband; two brothers, James (Shirley) Shales and Tom Shales; a sister-in-law, Barbra Fish; and three nephews, Gordon, Chad and Cary Shales. She was preceded in death by her parents. Services were private. Memorials

Henry Jahn, 91, Delavan, Wis.

Henry Jahn, 91, Delavan, Wis., died Oct.18, 2015. He was born April 28, 1924, in Germany to William and Helen Jahn.   On Jan. 19, 1949, he married Georgia C. Brabec in Bridgeview. He served as an Army medic in World War II. He worked for General Motors for thirty years. After retiring from General Motors, he worked for ten years at the Greenwood School. He enjoyed the outdoors and living in Wisconsin.  Survivors include a son, James (Linda) Jahn, Wonder Lake; a son-in-law, George (Pat) Taylor, Wonder Lake;  six grandchildren, Sherri (Lew) Daniels, Wendi (Greg) Sorensen, Michele (Guy) Busch and Heidi Ciskowski, all from Wonder Lake, Jason Jahn, Lake Zurich, and Kristen Jahn, Brookfield, Wis.; eight great-grandchildren; and five

Steven E. Stanger, 64, Woodstock

Steven E. Stanger, 64, Woodstock, died Saturday, Oct. 24, 2015, at his home. He was born Aug. 26, 1951, to Elmer and Ruby (Carlson) Stanger in Woodstock. He worked in construction and was a member of the Fox Valley Laborers Union Local 1035. He was a member of the Woodstock Moose Lodge. He could fix anything and was a jack-of-all-trades, and he enjoyed cooking.  He lived life to the fullest and enjoyed spending time with his family and friends.  He also enjoyed his dog Emma. Survivors include a son, Troy E. Stanger; and a brother, Terry (Kathy) Stanger. He was preceded in death by his parents. Visitation and funeral were held Oct. 29 at Schneider-Leucht-Merwin & Cooney Funeral Home. Burial

Margarethe Riesinger, 99, Woodstock

Margarethe “Margaret” Riesinger, 99, Woodstock, died Sunday, Oct. 25, 2015. She was born Oct. 6, 1916, to Johann and Christine (Jung) Mussar, in Tchestereg, Austria-Hungary, a predominately German village in what is present-day Serbia.  In 1933, she married Wilhelm Riesinger, and they had two children, Wilhelm and Susanna. Wilhelm was a tailor, but like most people in the region, they were subsistence farmers who grew crops and livestock for their use, and sold some for cash. The village did not have electricity, running water, or gas, which meant daily life was very labor intensive. They carried water from the town well, cooked and baked using a fire they made themselves, worked in the fields by hand, milked their cow, had

Mary P. Hahn, 91, Woodstock

Mary P. Hahn, 91, Woodstock, died Thursday, Oct. 15, 2015, at Hearthstone Manor Nursing Home, Woodstock. She was born Jan. 8, 1924, to William and Alma (Wrigley) Fitzgerald. On June 1, 1946, she married Wayne R. Hahn in Philadelphia Her life was spent working with her husband, first running the Red Mill Tavern. They owned the Budweiser Café from 1957 until 1965. In 1966 she and her husband bought a bowling alley and ran Wayne’s Lanes for 21 years before retiring in 1987. She loved bowling and was active in many leagues. She was an avid reader and especially loved mysteries. Mostly she loved being with her family. She was dearly loved and will be missed. Survivors include three sons,

Jason W. Learman, 45, Woodstock

Jason W. Learman, 45, Woodstock, died in an automobile accident Saturday, Oct. 17, 2015. He was born May 5, 1970, in Woodstock to Fredrick and Kathleen (Buffington) Learman.  He married Candice Saputa July 1, 1995, in Algonquin. He worked at Old World Millworks in Maple Park. He received his Bachelor in Business Management from Columbia College. He loved sports and especially loved working part-time in the sports department at The Woodstock Independent. He was loved by many and will be missed by all who knew him. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Amber Learman; a son, Benjamin Learman; his parents; three brothers, Fred (Diane) Learman Jr., Michael (Christine) Learman and Steven Learman; his father- and mother-in-law, Glenn and Laurie Saputa;

William Gumprecht, 85, Woodstock

William Gumprecht, 85, Woodstock, died Thursday, Oct. 15, 2015, at his home in Woodstock surrounded by his loving family. He was born March 14, 1930, to William and Meta (Dahlke) Gumprecht. On April 16, 1955, he married Louise Bungard in Union.   He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and received the Bronze Star for his courageous act of valor.  He worked for the Woodstock Auto Lite for more than 30 years.  He also worked for Woodstock Farm & Fleet for 10 years.  He was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Woodstock.  He also was past president of the American Legion Hall, Union.  He enjoyed hunting and fishing in his free time, but most of all

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

Woodstock High School senior Ellery Shutt had a record day at the Illinois Indoor Championship in Chicago March 28, dropping almost 10 seconds from hi…

Subscriber Access

Login