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Obituaries

John L. Kassal, 67, Woodstock

John L. Kassal, 67, Woodstock, died Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2015, at his home. He was born Sept. 23, 1948, to Josef and Rosalia “Rose” (Reitter) Kassal in Austria.  He served in the U.S. Army, and he learned to be punctual. He found his niche in life in the printing industry, working for a small printing company. In his career which spanned more than 30 years, he traveled all over the world, taking Continental Data Label from its humble beginning to an international business. He was a great outdoorsman and was a founding member of Bull Valley Golf Club. He had the courage of a lion as he faced his health issues. No man could have loved his son and grandson

Gordon Von Bergen, 74, Wonder Lake

Gordon Von Bergen, 74, Wonder Lake, died Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015, of natural causes, while hunting in Eau Claire, Wis. He was born Jan. 7, 1941, to Bernard and Esther (Sass) Von Bergen in Evanston.  On Aug. 5, 1967, he married Patricia VanderKarr in Woodstock. He was a graduate of Arlington Heights High School. He farmed during his high school years in Elk Grove Village then farmed full time in Hebron until being drafted into the U.S. Army in 1965. He served in the Army from 1965 to 1967 in the adjutant general office at Ft. Sheridan. He attained the rank of specialist E-5. He loved and was proud of serving his country.  He worked as a real estate broker

John 'Jack' Knox, 54, East Moline

John “Jack” Knox, 54, died Saturday, Nov. 7, 2015, at Hope Creek Care Center, East Moline. He was born Jan. 17, 1961, to Gordon and Florence (Persson) Knox in Woodstock. He was a plumber by trade and an avid Chicago Cubs and Bears fan. Survivors include a son, Jordan Knox, Bettendorf, Iowa; a sister, Judy (John) Bloom, DesMoines, Iowa; two brothers, Tim (Jan) Knox, Moline, and Jim (Pam) Knox, Milan; many nieces and nephews; and two aunts, Mildred (William) Luallen and Esther Wienke, both of Woodstock. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Tom Knox, Florida. A private graveside service will be held at a later date at the Scandinavian Cemetery, Woodstock.  

Kathleen Brock

Kathleen Brock, 75, Woodstock, died Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015, at the JourneyCare Hospice Center – Woodstock, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on March 19, 1940, to John and Marrietta (Patterson) Tomorsky in Muskegon, Mich. On Feb. 3, 1961, she married Barry Charles Brock in Tecumseh, Mich. She graduated from the Mercy Nursing College, Toledo, Ohio, and worked as a registered nurse for more than 54 years. Most recently she worked for Kindred Home Healthcare. She was instrumental in helping write the original Illinois CNA Licensing Program. She was also instrumental in helping open the Alcohol Recovery Unit at Centegra Hospital – Woodstock, as well as the Women’s Residential Services for Lake County. She enjoyed trips to Marco

Dorothy Louise Kohl

Dorothy Louise (Burg) Kohl, 92, died Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2015, at Valley Hi Nursing Home, Woodstock.  She was born Sept. 24, 1923, to Chris and Anna (Ahlers) Burg near Manitowoc, Wis.  On Feb. 21, 1945, she married George J.W. Kohl at St. Mary Catholic Church, Woodstock. After completing school, she left home and followed her older brothers to Woodstock where she settled, found employment and met her husband. Together, they raised two children, Annette and Michael.  She happily served as cafeteria manager at Clarence Olson School in Woodstock for more than 30 years.  She especially enjoyed spending time with her two sisters, and together they took part in many activities over the years including ceramics, stitchery, shopping and traveling. Survivors

Dr. James Harold Wille

Dr. James Harold Wille, 74, formerly of Woodstock, died peacefully Monday, Nov. 9, 2015, in Houston, surrounded by his family. He was born April 27, 1941, to Harold F. and Edna L. Austin Wille in Hartland. He married Diana F. Perry Wille in 1964. He grew up in Woodstock, where he excelled in football, track and basketball. In 1959, during his senior year at Woodstock High School, he played on the varsity football team that won the Illinois North Suburban Conference. He met his wife in 1961 while attending Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas. He completed his Bachelor of Science in Education in 1966 at the University of Houston, and later completed his Master of Science in Education

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

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