Trust the Torch!

Obituaries

Edwin Charles “Bud” Fringer

Edwin Charles “Bud” Fringer, 90, Woodstock, died Wednesday, July 1, 2015, at his home.  He was born Oct. 24, 1924, to Charles and Lulu Fringer.  On July 31, 1948, he married Victoria Zahradka . By trade, he was a meat cutter for more than 40 years. He was a self-taught radio and television repairman. A hard worker even after he supposedly retired, he taught many about his trades throughout the years.  He loved cribbage, scoring one perfect 29. He enjoyed gardening and time spent with family and friends. He led by example, teaching his children and friends. He loved having family around him. The Saturday before he passed, he enjoyed a family gathering.  He brought joy in numerous ways. It

Agnes Gertrude Hay

Agnes Gertrude Hay, 88, Woodstock, died Thursday, June 25, 2015, surrounded by her family. She was born July 13, 1926, to Nicholas and Elizabeth (Brown) Diedrich in Johnsburg. She was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church, Woodstock. She volunteered in the Adoration Chapel at the church and led the rosary at Valley Hi Nursing Home. She was employed at Buckley Cleaners, Woodstock, for 25 years and was well-known as a seamstress, doing sewing and alterations from her home for 45 years. She enjoyed gardening, but mostly she enjoyed being with her family and grandchildren. Survivors include five children, Leonard (Sandra) Hay, Tennessee, Ronald Hay, Woodstock, Susan Hay, Woodstock, Mary (Ricardo) Rodriquez, Woodstock, Donald Hay, California; four grandchildren, Nicholas Rodriquez,

Brian Martin Carolan

Brian Martin Carolan, 23, Wonder Lake, died unexpectedly Sunday, June 21, 2015.  He was born March 25, 1992, to Martin and Susan (Ohlrich) Carolan in Woodstock. He attended Westwood Elementary School, Greenwood Elementary School and Northwood Middle School. He graduated from Woodstock High School. He had a special talent in music and guitar. Wanting to be a music teacher, he took music prep classes at McHenry County College. Following graduation, he gave guitar lessons and entertained in many restaurants. While growing up, Brian enjoyed sports, playing Wonder Lake baseball and soccer and Northwood football. He was a Tiger Cub, Cub Scout and Boy Scout. He was very friendly and enjoyed spending time talking to friends as well as strangers. He

Zachery Taylor Brokaw

Zachery Taylor Brokaw, 20, Woodstock, died tragically Saturday, June 20, 2015, the result of an automobile accident.  He was born April 9, 1995, to Myron and Diane (Stock) Brokaw in Barrington. He attended Greenwood School, Northwood Middle School and was the Woodstock North High School Class of 2013 salutatorian. From a very young age he had an unquenchable thirst for knowledge and excelled academically. While at Woodstock North he served as president of the National Honor Society, played trombone in the band and was a member of the track and cross-country teams. He had just completed his freshman year at Carleton College, Northfield, Minn., where he had been designated as a William Carleton Scholar in recognition of his outstanding scholarship,

Dorothy H. Wedoff

Dorothy H. Wedoff, 87, Woodstock, died Saturday, June 20, 2015, at her home.  She was born April 26, 1928, to Josephine (Pacha) Scheiner and Raymond Gerleve in Chicago.  On May 7, 1949, she married Eugene J. Wedoff at Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Church. She and her husband started a family in Chicago and then moved to Woodstock where they raised nine children. She attended a cake-decorating class and developed a love and talent for it. She also loved to bake cookies and shared them with friends and family. She loved to crochet blankets for her loved ones  and often did it while on the phone talking to family and friends.   Survivors include six children, Eugene (Peggy) Wedoff, Steven

Walter R. “Bud” Barry

Walter R. “Bud” Barry, 82, Woodstock, died Friday, June 19, 2015, at Hearthstone Manor, Woodstock. He was born Sept. 8, 1932, to Harold and Gertrude (Reynolds) Barry in Huntley.  On May 26, 1951, he married Caroline Urban in Woodstock. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.  He lived in Woodstock for most of his life. He retired from Union Special in 1996 after 39 years of service. He was a member of the Free Methodist Church, Woodstock. He was a member of the American Legion, and he volunteered at the Woodstock Food Pantry for several years. He enjoyed woodworking and fixing small engines. Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Penny (John) Johnson and Peggy (Chris) Grasley; a

William Victor Mykytiuk

William Victor Mykytiuk, 96, died Wednesday, June 17, 2015, at JourneyCare Hospice Center, Woodstock. He was born May 19, 1919, to Stephen and Maria (Fryczyn) Mykytiuk in Chicago. Survivors include his wife, Lillian (Bieber) Mykytiuk; three children, Stephen (Barbara) Mykytiuk, Mary Beth (Bill) Jenkins and Jonathan (Carol) Mykytiuk; eight grandchildren, William, Kevin, David, Elizabeth, William, Kimberley, Nathan and Jacquelynn; and one great-granddaughter, Lillian. He was preceded in death by his parents and six siblings, Nicholas, Anne, Walley, Peter, Helen and Mary. A memorial gathering and Mass were held June 22 at St. Mary Catholic Church, Woodstock.  Burial was  at Memory Gardens in Arlington Heights.   Memorials can be made to Maryville Academy, 1150 N. River Road, Des Plaines, IL 60016.

Dennis M. Burrs

Dennis M. Burrs, 70, Woodstock, died Friday, June 5, 2015, at Centegra Hospital – Woodstock. He was born March 2, 1945, to Lawrence and Bernice (Shaw) Burrs in Chicago. On June 29, 1968, he married Diane Rintoul in Dixon. He grew up in Dixon and joined the U.S.Navy, serving on the U.S.S. Orisknay. He enjoyed going to many conventions with other veterans. He was a member of the Woodstock VFW for more than 15 years. He worked for Lake Shore Distributors. He enjoyed trains, especially in Rochelle when the old trains went through. Playing cards and visiting with friends were also his favorite things to do. Survivors include his wife and a sister, Laurel Burrs Erickson, Denver. He was preceded

Horst E. Abt

Horst E. Abt, 86, Woodstock, died Monday, June 8, 2015, surrounded by his family and friends. He was born April 11, 1929, to Karl and Anna Abt in Rodefeld, Ostprenben, Germany. He came to America in 1951 to live the American dream. He was a survivor of World War II. In 1952 he met Wally Klumbies, and they married Dec. 17, 1955. In his earlier years he worked as a carpenter and homebuilder. He took pride in building and providing a house with his own hands for his family and friends to gather. He and his wife loved traveling, especially to Florida for the winter where they would visit with relatives, go camping and fishing, and escape the cold. He

Dorothy Benoy


Dorothy Benoy, 92, Walworth, Wis., formerly of Alden, died Thursday, Jan. 1, 2015, at Hearthstone Manor after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. A memorial gathering will take place at 10 a.m. until the service at 11 a.m. Friday, June 12, at the Hebron United Methodist Church, 9811 Main St., Hebron. Interment was in Linn-Hebron Cemetery. Memorial donations can be made to the Hebron United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 323, 9811 Main St., Hebron, IL 60034. Arrangements were made by Schneider-Leucht-Merwin & Cooney Funeral Home.

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