Richard E. Votava, 89, Woodstock, died Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015, at Centegra Hospital – Woodstock, surrounded by his loving family. He was born July 31, 1926, to Edward and Judith (Jurcek) Votava in Chicago.  On Jan. 15, 1949, he married Mabel Becker in Wood Dale. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He worked as a plumber and was a member of the Chicago Journeymen Plumbers Union Local 130. He loved the outdoors, and he and his wife enjoyed camping, hiking and traveling, especially in the Southwest desert region.  They lived in Marseilles for 20 years after Richard’s retirement and moved to Woodstock three years ago. He was a history buff and an avid reader.  Survivors include

Christopher Rockefeller “Kit” Klabunde, 80, Woodstock, died Friday, Aug. 14, 2015, at Autumn Leaves, Crystal Lake, surrounded by his loving family, after a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. He was born July 12, 1935, to Christopher W. and Arline A. (Rockefeller) Klabunde in Woodstock.  On Nov. 23, 1957, he married the love of his life, Peggie L. Jensen, at the First Presbyterian Church, Woodstock. He served in the U.S. Army from 1958 to 1960, stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. He worked as a purchasing manager for Armin Industries in Elgin. He was a hard worker with strong values, and his work ethic and integrity were something he instilled in his family. He was an avid camper and

Norma Sue Oldenburg Young, 83, died Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015, confident in her faith in God and the strength of the legacy that she leaves on earth.  Survivors include her husband, Fred Young, her high school sweetheart and soul mate; six children, Fawn (David) McDonough, Wendy (Don) Hall, John (Kimberly) Oldenburg, Beth (Jeff) Iverson, Meri (Alex) Duff and Gretch (Mark) Hladish; extended family, Cheryl, Matt and Richard Geier; 16 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; a brother; two sisters; and numerous nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents; her stepfather; three sisters; and her first husband of 44 years, Richard “Ole” Oldenburg.  A memorial service and celebration of her life will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 22, at

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)