Gary Wayne Reed, 67, died Saturday, March 28, in Kailua, Hawaii, with his wife by his side after losing his battle with ALS. He was born March 28, 1948, to John C. and Alice M. Reed, in Indianapolis, Ind. On April 24, 2010, he married Ofelia Carag in Hawaii. He was the second of six children, and his family moved to Woodstock when he was 3. He played the trombone in the marching band in high school and in drum and bugle corps – first with the McHenry Viscounts, followed by the Chicago Cavaliers (aka The Green Machine). While in high school, he developed a passion for art and thought he might like to teach. After graduation he enrolled at

Irene M. Johnson, 97, Lake Geneva, Wis., formerly of Woodstock, died Saturday, May 9, 2015, at Pinecrest in Lake Geneva.  She was born Nov. 16, 1917, in Stanley, Wis., to Anthony and Fern (Bruyette) Fitzl.  She lived in Woodstock for most of her life. She was a member of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Lake Geneva. She enjoyed driving her lady friends to and from bingo and playing cards. She was most happy when she was with her family. Survivors include five children, Harold (Jeanette) Johnson, Elaine Johnson, Carol Ballard, Gordon (Alice) Johnson and Linda (Kendall) Lewis; and her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Hans; a daughter, Nancy Mercado;

Carol J. Samorez, Gurnee, 78, formerly of Woodstock, died Saturday, May 16, at her home in Gurnee. She was born Nov. 4, 1936, to William and Clara Hahn in Woodstock.  She married Walter Samorez. She was a 1954 graduate of Woodstock Community High School.  She was loved and will be missed. Survivors include her husband; a daughter, Lisa Samorez; four brothers, Bill (Helga) Hahn, Bob (Pat) Hahn, Don (Juanita) Hahn and Jim (Sue) Hahn; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and a son, Dereck. Services will be private.

Mary A. “Moira” Davis, 83, formerly of the Bull Valley and Woodstock area, died Friday, May 1, 2015, at Wauconda Care Center, Wauconda, surrounded by her loving family. She was born June 14, 1931, in Winnipeg, Canada, to Francis Patrick and Frances (O’Connor) Gilligan.  Raised in Canada, she was educated at St. Mary’s Academy, Winnipeg. She lived in several areas of the Midwest before moving to San Rafael, Calif., in the mid-1960s. After returning, she remained in the Bull Valley and Woodstock area for more than 50 years, traveling extensively nationally and internationally. Earlier in her career, she worked for a Winnipeg newspaper. After moving to New York City, she was employed as a flight attendant for TWA and trainer

Christie D. Carver-Burger,  51, Woodstock, died Saturday, May 2, 2015, at her home surrounded by her loving family. She was born May 18, 1963, to Larry Carver and Geraldine (Hreha) Szyszka in Chicago.  On March 26, 1983, she married Donald Burger Sr. in Niles. She was a selfless person, always the first one to volunteer to help anyone in need. She loved helping people so much she worked in the medical field for several years. She always had a positive attitude and a smile, regardless of the situation at hand. Her laugh was contagious and could brighten a room.  She loved spending time with her family. Her husband, children and grandchildren were her whole world. She had many aunts and

Joanne M. McMasters, 82, Woodstock, died Friday, May 8, 2015, at Centegra Hospital-Woodstock. She was born Nov. 4, 1932, to Leslie and Lucy (Dozark) Knapp, in Aurora, Iowa.  In 1960, she married Robert McMasters in Iowa.  She was a graduate of Aurora High School where she was valedictorian and proud to be named to the Iowa All-State girls basketball team.  She received a Bachelor of Science in nursing from St. Ambrose College and worked as a registered nurse. The McMasters lived in Minnesota and Houston before settling in Woodstock in 1997.  She was a devoted mom and adoring grandmother. She was happiest when surrounded by her family. She bravely fought through many health struggles, never losing her courage and optimism. She was loved and

Walter T. Perkins Jr., 83, Harvard, died Thursday, May 7, 2015, at Journey Care Hospice Inpatient Unit, Woodstock. He was born Aug. 20, 1931, to Walter and Alice (Adair) Perkins Sr. in Fayette County, Kentucky.  On May 28, 1967, he married Elva Jean Riley in Cincinnati. He served in the U.S. Air Force.  He worked as an automobile mechanic at City Chevrolet in Chicago. He loved watching old Westerns. He was especially fond of eating Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and Three Musketeers. He was loved and will be missed. Survivors include a daughter, Elva (Daniel) Sedlock; two grandchildren, Latasha (Mike) and Lindora (John); three great-grandchildren, Taylor Olivia, Wyatt Thomas and Mason Patrick; a daughter-in-law, Lisa Alonzo; and special friends John

Edward J. O’Donnell, 87, Woodstock, died Monday, May 4, 2015, at his home. He was born Jan. 3, 1928, to James P. and Mary (Koss) O’Donnell in Richland, Wis.  He married Rosina M. Curran in Woodstock. He was a veteran of the Korean War.  For many years, he worked as a service manager for International Harvester. Later, he opened and operated the Belvidere Equipment Company with partners. After his official retirement, he worked for Butler Auto Parts in Woodstock.  He was a fan of all kinds of sports – particularly any Wisconsin team – especially the Green Bay Packers. He was also an avid NASCAR racing fan, but his favorite hands-on sport and his hobby was bowling, which he had

Marie J. Splinter, 91, of Woodstock, died Saturday, May 2, 2015, at Hearthstone Manor. She was born Aug. 13, 1923, to Arthur and Helen (Yates) Van Fleet in Plano. On May 1, 1971, she married Leslie E. Splinter in Woodstock. After attending Aurora College, she worked at a munitions plant during World War II. After moving to Woodstock, she worked as a librarian at Northwood Junior High School. Then she worked for more than 20 years at Hearthstone Manor, starting long before the organization was named Hearthstone Communities. She volunteered at Woodstock Food Pantry and was an active and much-loved member of First Presbyterian Church, Woodstock. She loved to socialize, whether it be with the Friday morning ladies group or

Barbara J. Puotinen, 57, Woodstock, died Saturday, May 2, 2015, in Woodstock. She was born Jan. 21, 1958, to Melvin C. and Twyla C. (Hackensmith) Puotinen in Woodstock. She was a bus driver with the Community Action Agency of McHenry County and loved working with the children she drove in Crystal Lake. She enjoyed traveling, playing bingo, crocheting and arranging flowers. She adored her cat, Oreo. Survivors include her four siblings, Betty Kayse, Woodstock, Beverly (John) Dial, Woodstock, Brian (Karen) Puotinen, McHenry, and Brenda Barr, Waukesha, Wis.; five nieces and nephews, Cristal (Tom) McMillan, Woodstock, Brian (Crystal) Puotinen, Wonder Lake, Cammi Kayse, East Dundee, Melissa Johnson, Wonder Lake, and Christopher Barr, Iowa; many great nieces and nephews; and lifelong best