Gary Michael Gharidini, 55, Woodstock, died Saturday, March 14, 2015, at Centegra Hospital-Woodstock. He was born Jan. 24, 1960, to Albert L. and Vivian M. (Sather) Gharidini in Highland Park.   On June 20, 2014, he married Julie Antonello. He was a member of Grace Lutheran Church.  He served in the Army Rangers.  He was an avid Chicago Bears and Blackhawks fan, and he loved riding his motorcycle.  He was a generous person who would always reach out to help others.  Even in death, he donated his organs to help others in need. Survivors include his wife; a son, Michael L. Gharidini; four stepchildren, Daniel Biondi, James Tomaso, Darriante Tomaso and Valarie Biondi; a sister, Victoria L. Julin; and his

Jeannine Lucyle Siefers, 85, Wilson, Kan., formerly of Woodstock, died Thursday, Feb. 12, 2015, at Ellsworth County Medical Center, Ellsworth.  She was born July 3, 1929, to Robert and Lucyle (Schwamb) Lewis in Woodstock.  On July 3, 1954, she married Merrill E. Siefers in McHenry.  She was a 1946 graduate of Woodstock High School. She was an active member and an elder of the First Presbyterian Church, Wilson, a member of the site council of the Wilson Senior Center and a member of the Monsignor John F. McManus Post 262 American Legion Auxiliary.  She loved her dog Lady and enjoyed spending time in the kitchen cooking, especially Christmas cookies. Survivors include a brother, Robert (Elaine) Lewis Jr., Henderson, Nev.; a

Neal C. Heimbecker, 75, Woodstock, died Monday, March 23, 2015, at JourneyCare Hospice Center, Woodstock. He was born July 4, 1939, to Milton C. and Irene (Sell) Heimbecker in Highland Park, Mich.  On July 14, 1962, he married JoAnn Repke in Wonder Lake. He attended Grace Fellowship Church, Woodstock. For 38 years he was a dedicated employee at Union Special in Huntley as a machinist. He enjoyed camping and family vacations. He loved to stay busy with home projects. He enjoyed the companionship of his cat Tootsie. Most of all, he loved time spent with his family. He was loved and will be dearly missed. Survivors include his wife; three daughters, Linda (Henry) Vosburgh, Lisa (Jim) Korczak and Laura (John)

Vernon L. Jensen, 88, Woodstock, died Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2015, at his home. He was born Jan. 31, 1927, to Forest and Edna (Barnard) Jensen in Woodstock.  On Sept. 10, 1949, he married Mary Lou Vogel, the love of his life, in Greenwood. He attended Woodstock High School before serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II.  He was a lifelong member of First United Methodist Church, Woodstock. Jensen’s Plumbing and Heating was opened by his father, “Rusty” Jensen in 1942. He worked with his father upon his return from the Navy, building up the company, and then purchased the business from his father in 1972. He ran the business until his retirement in 1994, but he still kept

Merrill K. Douglass, 104, Woodstock, died Monday, March 16, 2015, at his home in Woodstock. He was born July 22, 1910, to Edwin and Emma (Boughton) Douglass in Hebron Township.   On Oct. 8, 1936, he married Delia Riemer in Woodstock. He was a dairy farmer, farming with his father from 1933 until going on his own in 1945. He worked his own farms in the Greenwood and Woodstock areas until 1958.  He did custodial work for Woodstock High School and then Dean Street School until retiring in 1975.  He was instrumental in the creation of School District 10, which encompassed rural schools in the Woodstock area.  After his retirement, he traveled extensively visiting family and friends. His travels took

Elizabeth A. “Betty” Davis, 91, Woodstock, died Friday, March 13, 2015, at Centegra Hospital-Woodstock. She was born July 31, 1923, to Paul C. and Alma M. (Baril) Gossmann in DeKalb. On Feb. 12, 1955, she married Jack Davis. She was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church, Woodstock.  While living in Aurora, she worked at Western Union for 15 years. After moving her family to Woodstock, she took a job at the Woodstock Public Library where she worked for 20 years. She enjoyed genealogy work and her time volunteering at Sheltered Village. She was loved and will be missed. Survivors include two sons, John (Yvonne) Davis and Michael Davis; a daughter, Laura (John) Marsh; five grandchildren, A.J. (Laura) Marx, Michelle

Ralph R. Robinett Jr., 88, Ocala, Fla., formerly of Woodstock, died Tuesday, March 10, 2015, in Ocala. He was born March 30, 1926, to Ralph R. and Ada M. (Perrott) Robinett Sr. in Woodstock. On Aug. 20, 1948, he married Charlene Lubben. She died July 23, 1988. On Nov. 30, 1994, he married Joan L. Daly. He served in World War II. He was a graduate of Iowa State University and worked with his father on the family farm for many years. He then began a career with Brown Manufacturing and later with the Mathews Company.  An avid golfer, he was a past member of the Woodstock Country Club where he served as club president in 1965 and where he

Harold E. Collier, 74, Chemung, died Tuesday, March 10, 2015, at his home. He was born Sept. 15, 1940, to Harry and Irene (Saunders) Collier in Harvard . On July 30, 1966, he married May Lou Holtfreter. He served in the U.S. Army. He was an avid Bears, White Sox and NASCAR fan. He was a longtime member of the Harvard Moose. He enjoyed going to casinos, fishing, camping and square dancing. He was loved and will be missed. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Jeniffer (Adam) Boukal; and a sister, Eleanor Swanson. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Albert; two sisters, Margaret and Marion; and three brothers-in-law, Robert Swanson, Bud Anderson and Jay Toombs. The

John Elmer Buhrow, 76, Crystal Lake, died Tuesday, March 10, 2015. He was born Dec. 3, 1938, to Elmer “Baggy” and Lillian (Hue) Buhrow, in Elgin. On Aug. 13, 1960, he married Merle Gray. In 1956 he graduated from Crystal Lake Community High School. He was a lifelong member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Crystal Lake. He retired from Unisys Corporation in 2000. Early in his career, he worked at Admiral Corporation, Harnischpheger Corporation and Reliance Insurance Company. After his retirement he worked as the business manager at Immanuel Lutheran Church. He most enjoyed attending his grandchildren’s activities. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend, and he will be missed by all who knew him. Survivors include his

Charlene J. Marco, 80, Bull Valley, died in her home Sunday, March 1, 2015, after battling Alzheimer’s disease. On June 14, 1958, she married John F. Marco in Chicago.  She grew up in Chicago, graduated from Taft High School and studied at Wright Junior College and the Art Institute of Chicago. She worked in the 1950s as a secretary for International Harvester and Hazel-Atlas. They moved to McCullom Lake in 1960 and to Bull Valley in 1964. She was an artist who raised a family and did custom sewing. She made many beautiful clothes for herself, her family and local clientele. She contributed her time by making Christmas ornaments for the Woodstock Hospital Auxiliary’s “Coners” group in the 1970s and