Lawrence R. Heckathorne, 52, McHenry, died Friday, Feb. 20, 2015, at his mother, Janet Adams’, home after battling pancreatic cancer.  He was raised on a small farm on Pleasant Valley Road, Woodstock.  He attended Woodstock District 200 schools and excelled in sports, including football, track and baseball. He worked in construction in Illinois, Wisconsin and Arizona until 2007.  His next career was as an on-board service attendant for Amtrak; his favorite run was the Empire Builder from Chicago to Portland, Ore., and back. He enjoyed cooking and improving many dishes with his own touch.  He loved the beautiful voice and music of Sarah Brightman.  Survivors include a daughter, Rachael Hansen, Chicago; his mother; a brother, Eugene (Dorothy) Heckathorne, McHenry; a

Anna Ludwig, 88, Wonder Lake, died Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015, at JourneyCare Hospice Center, Woodstock.  She was born to Mihaly and Anna (Komeiner) Mechler in Hungary.   On Feb. 2, 1946, she married Steve Ludwig in Hungary.  While growing up in Hungary, she was forced to leave school during the Depression after completing sixth grade to work in a factory to help support her family.   She and her husband came to the United States in 1956. They lived in Danville for three years, Perrysville for four years and Chicago for 11 years.  She was a resident of Wonder Lake from 1974 until moving to Heritage Woods, McHenry, in 2011.  A waitress for most of her career, Anna worked at the Bakery

Christopher John Goralka, 53, McHenry, died Friday, Feb. 20, 2015, at his home.  He was born April 6, 1961, to Paul R. and Rose Marie (LuFrano) Goralka in Chicago.  He was first employed at the family business, Goralka & Son Hardware Store, on Archer Avenue in Chicago.  He later worked as a cable installer in the Chicagoland area.  After suffering severe injuries in an accident 10 years ago, he was unable to return to work. Always there for someone in need, he was the type of person to either give the shirt off his back or buy one. He will be dearly missed by his family. Survivors include his father; three sisters, Susanna (James) Panko, Patricia (Robert Woodell) Bart and

Robert A. “Butch” Veugeler Jr., 58, Crystal Lake, died Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2015, at Advocate Sherman Hospital.  He was born Dec. 15, 1959, to Robert A. Veugeler Sr. and Sandra L. McDillon. He brought much joy and laughter into the lives of his friends and family. He enjoyed playing golf and darts with his sons.  He was employed at his grandparents’ business, Crystal Lake Disposal. He worked as an insulation installer for more than 15 years, operated his own taxi cab and recently worked in tree service and roofing. Survivors include three children, Allen Veugeler, Wesley (Caitlin) Veugeler, Lakemoor, and Megan Mueller, Marengo; two grandchildren, Liam and Lilliana Veugeler; his father, Crystal Lake; his mother, Sandra L. Nebel, Crystal Lake; four siblings, Deborah (Roy)

Lillian Ellen (Conway) Braidwood, 100, died Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2015, at JourneyCare Hospice Center, Woodstock. She was born Nov. 30, 1914, to Carl and Anna Kristina Blanner. She enjoyed her family, friends and volunteer work as a Pink Lady and for Sheltered Village.  She was a supporter of the arts, and one of her favorite accomplishments was during World War II when she became the first woman clerk for McHenry Township.  She was an active member of the McHenry Legion Post 491 Auxiliary.  Her sense of humor and endless stories will be missed. Survivors include two children, Dennis (Janet) Conway and Judith (Peter Vucha) Svalander;  15 grandchildren; William (Regina) Weyland, Kristi-Ann (James) Finnan, John (Shari) Weyland, Joseph Carl Weyland, Alex

Phyllis Fondakowski, 99, Woodstock, died Thursday, Feb. 12, 2015, at Hearthstone Manor, Woodstock. She was born May 1, 1915, to Frank and Angelina (Scala) Marolda in Chicago.   On Jan. 12, 1946, she married Raymond Fondakowski in Chicago. Survivors include two daughters, Pamela (Bill) Fritz and Denise (Stephan) Scalzo; five grandchildren, Erich (Jean) Fritz, Mark Fritz, Matthew (Marcie) Scalzo and Nicholas Scalzo; a great-granddaughter, Samantha Scalzo; and a brother, Dan Marolda. She was preceded in death by her husband; a daughter, Susan Farrell; her parents; and five siblings, John, Mary, Phillip, Gerard and Lucille.  Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20, at Colonial Funeral Home & Crematory, 591 Ridgeview Drive, McHenry.  Visitation will continue from 10 to

Louis De Strooper, 92, Woodstock, died Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2015, at Valley Hi Nursing Home, Woodstock. He was born Oct. 16, 1922, in Belgium to Edmond and Georgette (Bogaert) De Strooper.  On June 3, 1944, he married Maria Van Pollaert in Buggenhaut, Belgium. Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Monique (Ed) Payton and Rita (Rob) Fleig; two grandchildren, Debbie (Steve) Avonts and Linda (Tim) Gagnon; six great-grandchildren, Matthew, Brittany and Ryin Avonts and Justin, Jessica and Jennifer Gagnon; and two sisters, Magda and Marriette De Strooper. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Maurice and Alfonse; and a sister, Leona. Visitation and memorial service were Feb. 15 at Colonial Funeral Home & Crematory, McHenry. Interment was Feb.

Richard V. Schmidtman, 90, formerly of Woodstock, died Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2015, in his home in Middleville, Mich. He was born June 29, 1924, to Herman and Elizabeth (Foster) Schmidtman in Lansing, Mich.   On April 5, 1952, he married Doris Krause in Diamond Springs, Mich.  He served in the U.S. Army during World War II as a member of the 42nd Rainbow Infantry Division. After the war, he attended Michigan State University, where he graduated with a degree in electrical engineering.  He retired after working nearly 38 years as an electronics engineer for the Federal Aviation Administration.  A classical music enthusiast, he attended the Woodstock Mozart Festival on numerous occasions.  He was a lifelong fan of the Detroit Lions and Tigers, and Michigan State

Herbert F. Neubaum Jr., 73, Bull Valley, died Thursday, Feb. 5, 2015, at JourneyCare Hospice Center, Woodstock. He was born Dec. 13, 1941, to Herbert and Virginia (Makarski) Neubaum in Chicago.  On May 5, 1963, he married Donna Thompson in Prospect Heights. He and his family moved to Bull Valley in 1994 after spending 30 years in Arlington Heights. He worked for the Siemens Corporation for many years as an IT manager.  He was a member of Grace Lutheran Church. He was involved in Scouting as a Cub Scout and Boy Scout leader. He loved trips with his wife in their RV with Alaska as a favorite destination. He enjoyed woodworking and doing house projects for himself and his family.

Howard Lamb, 74, formerly of Woodstock, died Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015, in Seattle, with his son at his side. He was a 1960 graduate of Woodstock High School. He graduated from DeVry University, Chicago. He traveled internationally to all corners of the world in his career in electronics. He stayed actively engaged with his son throughout his life. He loved all outdoor activities and was an avid sailor, rock climber and explorer. While most people slow down in physical activity later in life, he took up a newfound passion for rock climbing in his mid-50s. It was through climbing he found a new community that embraced him, and he was highly regarded for his rock-climbing skills, amiability and humor. On