Charlene O’Leary, 90, Woodstock, died Saturday, Aug. 8, 2015.  She was born June 21, 1925, to Fred and Elizabeth Krohn in Ringwood.  On June 15, 1946, she married Leonard “Dude” O’Leary. She twirled batons through the Great Depression and first set her eyes on her future husband while working at the McHenry movie theatre as a teenager. The couple raised four children in Woodstock, and, as the first family to reside on the street, they were responsible for naming Hercules Road. A lifelong learner and an avid reader, she returned to school after her kids were grown, earning an associate’s degree. She worked as a bookkeeper for O’Leary Construction. She was a parishioner of St. Mary Church in Woodstock. She

Howard J. Engstrom, 95, Woodstock, died at home Sunday, Aug. 9, 2015, surrounded by his family.   He was born Dec. 27, 1920, in Chicago to Swedish immigrants who resettled with their three sons on a farm near Ashland, Wis., in 1929.   After graduating from high school, he studied music, toolmaking and mechanical engineering.  Most of his working years were spent in public relations, marketing, consulting and management.  In his later  years of employment, he was a fundraiser for Family Alliance and Hearthstone Communities (formerly Woodstock Christian Care).   Volunteering was one of his passions. He served on several community and religious boards after retirement and, in his later years, tutored in an adult literacy program and served with

Frances “Helen” Mavis, 88, died Friday, July 24, 2015, at Avonlea Cottage, Milan.  She was born April 9, 1927, to Donald and Frances Blodgett in Woodstock.  On Oct. 4, 1947, she married Stanley Mavis in Woodstock. She was a graduate of Woodstock High School and a part-time student at McHenry County College in her later years. As a young woman she worked at Woodstock Typewriter and AT&T in Chicago.  She met her future husband at the McHenry roller rink when he returned from World War II. After they married, they were members of Grace Lutheran Church, Woodstock, for more than 50 years. She was the secretary for a number of years at Grace Lutheran Church. She finished her professional career

Harold F. Winkelman, 93, Woodstock, died Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2015, at the JourneyCare Hospice Center, Woodstock. He was born March 11, 1922, to William and Josephine (Seegers) Winkelman in Des Plaines.  On June 2, 1945, he married Maryann H. Gies. He was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Woodstock. He worked on his dairy farm for most of his life. After selling the farm, he worked for Seneca Township. He loved doing yard work and gardening. Mostly he loved time spent with his family.  Survivors include a son, Kenneth (Jan) Winkelman; a daughter, Debbie (Rick) Labaz; six grandchildren, Ken (Katie) Winkelman, Gail (Sean) Anuskewicz, the Rev. Paul (Melissa) Winkelman, Sarah (Adam Marshall) Labaz, Mark Winkelman and Brook Winkelman; a

Twylhae Rae Hiatt, 54, Wonder Lake, died Monday, Aug. 3, 2015, at the JourneyCare Hospice Center, Woodstock. She was born Oct. 3, 1960, to Willard and Opal (Koile) Hiatt in Harvey. She graduated from Crystal Lake South High School. She loved animals, especially dogs. She knew every dog breed and was excellent at training them. She volunteered for the military recruiting office because she was very patriotic. She was a huge fan of science-fiction novels and movies and she was an avid reader. She was a very environmentally conscious person, and she loved gardening and tending to her plants. She is survived by the love of her life, John Duffy; her mother, Opal Hiatt; three sisters, Barbara Hiatt, Linda (James)

Darlene L. Spurlock, 73, Woodstock, died Thursday, July 30, 2015, at Centegra Hospital – Woodstock. She was born July 1, 1942, to Wilhelm and Magdalena (Tettinger) Kuschmirz in Elgin. On June 29, 1963, she married Paul Spurlock. She spent a majority of her life in Elgin. She worked as a secretary at banks in the Elgin area. She was a member of The Turner Club. Her most important job was being a loving grandmother. Survivors include two daughters, Tracy Spurlock and Michelle (Andrew) Myshkowec; three sons, Rick (Barb) Spurlock, Michael (Donna) Spurlock and Steven (Rita) Spurlock; 19 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; and several brothers and sisters-in-law. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; a brother, John Kuschmirz; a

Roger H. Wolter, 82, Woodstock, died Wednesday, July 22, 2015, at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born Aug. 19, 1932, to Henry and Florence (Lahn) Wolter in Elk Grove.   On Sept. 1, 1951, he married Marjorie Freeman in Elk Grove. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.  He enjoyed woodworking and gardening.  He also enjoyed doing household projects and helping his family with their home projects.  He was extremely generous and will be missed by all who knew him. Survivors include his wife; three children, Richard (Gayle) Wolter, Kim (Don) Jenkins and Charles (Christina) Wolter; a daughter-in-law, Dawn Wolter; seven grandchildren, Bradley (Meaghan) Wolter, Jill (Dustin) Budden, Michael Jenkins, Jason Wolter, Kara (Chase)

Linda C. Schalz, 71, Woodstock, died Monday, July 20, 2015, at her home. She was born on Feb. 12, 1944, to Arlie and Emma (Chandler) Chambers in Morrisvale, W.V. She married Matt Schalz Sr. in 1973. She loved to travel with her husband. She especially enjoyed trips back home and to Florida. She learned to use firearms and became a sharpshooter. She was committed to her Christian faith. Her greatest passion was her family and spending time with them was her greatest joy. Survivors include five children, William (Sarah) Ray, Kimberly (Roland) Fillmore, Donna Johnson, Robert H. (Brianna) Ray and Carri (Tim) Townsend; three brothers, Dennis (Vickie) Chambers, Harold (Sandy) Chambers and Doug (Sheryl) Chambers; 14 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Karl William Knutter, 74, Wiota, Iowa, died Friday, July 17, 2015, at the VA Central Iowa Health Care System, Des Moines, Iowa.   He was born Aug. 18, 1940, to Lester and Marian (Slavin) Knutter in Elgin. On Sept. 3, 1973, he married Joan Marie Hackwell in Omaha, Neb. He grew up in rural Marengo where he attended country school. He graduated from Marengo High School in 1958. After graduation, he entered the U.S. Army, serving until his honorable discharge in 1961. He and his wife lived in rural Exira, Iowa, until 1977 and then in Adair, Iowa, until 2003. He managed Pelgas in Adair for 26 years. In 2003, they moved to Pleasant Hope, Mo., where he worked with

Donna Jo Vodnansky, 57, Harvard, died Saturday, July 18, 2015, at Mercy Hospital, Janesville, Wis. She was born Nov. 4, 1957, to Donald and Christine (Breakfield) Prestley Sr. She was employed at School Districts 47 and 155 in the transportation department for 23 years. She had been retired for two years and enjoyed spending that time with her grandchildren. She loved to meet new people and she loved animals, especially her cat, Chip. Survivors include her mother; a son, Matthew Vodnansky; two daughters, Laura Vodnansky and Haley Vodnansky; two grandchildren, Adriana Vodnansky and Kevin Vodnansky; three brothers, Bill (Kathy) Prestley, Donald (Tricia) Prestley and Darren (Julie) Prestley; and a sister, Carol (Bill) Schultz. She was preceded in death by her