John E. Ray, 72, Woodstock, died Thursday Dec. 4, 2014, at Advocate Sherman Hospital, Elgin. He was born Aug. 18, 1942, to Lawton and Maude (Herrin) Ray in Aiken, South Carolina. On Oct. 8, 1966, he married Judy Nastav. He served in the U.S. Army. He designed pumps that were used by NASA on the International Space Station and he received two mission patches for his work in the space program. He enjoyed restoring old cars and was a member of the Pontiac Club. In his youth, he played Minor League baseball. He was a founding member of the Tri City Little League and he always looked forward to attending his grandchildren’s sporting events. Survivors include: his wife; a son,

Ralph Riley Obenchain Jr., 87, Woodstock, died Sunday, Nov. 30, 2014.  He was born Aug. 5, 1927, to  Ralph and Mabel Obenchain. He grew up in Evanston and was a member of the Evanston Township High School golf team and the YMCA Franklin Club. In 1957, he married Elaine Higgins. They purchased the historic Gage House in Wilmette in 1966. The couple  moved to rural Woodstock in 1980. He attended Northwestern University and worked for National Cash Register before embarking on a 60-year career as an investment adviser on LaSalle Street in Chicago.  He retired in 2008 at age 81. He was a true renaissance man. He was an avid three-cushion billiard player and could catch monster muskies, fell massive

Ernest W. Kautz, 77, Richmond, died Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2014, at Centegra Hospital-McHenry. He was born March 28, 1937, to Ernest and Mary (Stocker) Kautz in Genoa City, Wis. On Oct. 16, 1961, he married Patricia Miller at Christ the King Church, Wonder Lake. He worked as a die caster at Woodstock Die Casting for 17 years. He also worked for McHenry Sand and Gravel, McHenry, for more than 10 years and Olsun Electrics Corp. in Richmond for 10 years. He was a member of  the Jersey Cattle Club and bowled in several bowling leagues. Survivors include his wife; a son, Tony Kautz, Richmond; and two grandchildren, Kayla  and Anthony Kautz.

Ronald J. Freund, 61, Wonder Lake, died suddenly Saturday, Nov. 29, 2014, at his home. He was born Aug. 21, 1953, to Leonard and Leoda (McCarthy) Freund in Woodstock. On July 14, 1973, he married Connie Miller in Wonder Lake . He was a 1971 graduate of McHenry High School, and he served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam. He was a U.S. Post Office clerk, retiring after 25 years of service, and a part-time associate with Walmart, Johnsburg. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Jennifer “Jen” (John) Finch; two granddaughters, Julia and Jaycie Finch; his mother; his mother-in-law, Dolores Miller; six siblings, John (Kandy) Freund, Darlette Parsons, Marlette (Steve) Lane, Donald (Karen) Freund, Charlette (Roger) Hoffman and Jeremie (Dorothy)

William Earl Wharton, 97, Woodstock, died Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2014, at his home. He was born Oct. 18, 1917, to James G. and Edith (Katzmark) Wharton in Chester.   On July 8, 1946, he married Dorothy May Stahlberg. He attended Lane Tech High School, Chicago. After graduation he earned a pilot’s license and joined the U.S. Army for a two-year voluntary service. He was stationed stateside with an artillery unit. Shortly after completing his voluntary service, he was called back to fight in World War II.  He was sent to North Africa with the 36th Infantry Division from Texas, and he flew several reconnaissance missions. With the 36th Infantry Division, he participated in the invasion of Italy through Anzio, Salerno

Wencl J. Dostal, 98, Owatonna, Minn., died Saturday, Nov. 15, 2014, at Owatonna Hospital. He was born July 15, 1916, in Havana Township, Minn., to John and Josephine (Jirousek) Dostal.   On Feb. 14, 1942, he married Marian Styndl at St. John Lutheran Church, Owatonna. He entered the United States Army and served during World War II from 1942 until 1945. Following his tour of duty, he returned to Owatonna where he and his wife made their home.   He worked for 18 years with his brother-in-law, Bob Panzer, in the painting and wallpaper decorating business.  He began Dostal Decorating, a business he ran for 24 years.    He and his wife enjoyed traveling throughout the United States.  He also

June M. Noel, 91, Woodstock, formerly of Dubuque, Iowa, died Friday, Nov. 14, 2014, at Valley Hi Nursing Home, Woodstock. She was born Aug. 22, 1923, in Dubuque to Mary Ames and was raised in Potosi, Wis., where she attended elementary and high school. She attended the University of Dubuque for one year. She married John “Jack” E. Noel July 11, 1942, in Dubuque. They lived in Texas for three years while he was in the service. They moved back to Dubuque and were owners/operators of Noel’s Tavern & Restaurant for 30 years until her husband retired in 1974. They were members of Sacred Heart Church, Dubuque, and charter members of the North End Gun Club. In 2000, she moved

Linda M. Lundborg, 66, died Saturday, Nov. 15, 2014, at her home in Crystal Lake, surrounded by her family. She was born Sept. 20, 1948, to Thelford and Patricia (Byrns) Kelch in Chicago. On June 24, 1972, she married Joseph Lundborg at St. James Church in Arlington Heights. She was a member of St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Crystal Lake.  She was a school teacher, teaching at Harrison Elementary School in Wonder Lake from 1970 to 1978 and all grades at the Crystal Lake Montessori School from 1984 to 2014.  She enjoyed shopping, spending time with her friends. Foremost, she loved her family. Survivors include: her husband; two daughters, Lisa (Bonnie) Lundborg and Kristina (Jared) Lundborg; and a grandson,

Una “Lee” Patton died  Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2014, at Bickford Senior Living, St. Charles. She was born Aug. 17, 1937, to Wayne and Clella Manuel in Effingham. She graduated from Effingham High School and magna cum laude with a degree in psychology from MacMurray College, Jacksonville. She devoted her life to loving and supporting her family, advocating for those in need and enhancing and enriching the field of education. Her vocational life began in the fields of social work and special education in Woodstock. In 1971, she began working for the Illinois State Board of Education in Springfield, cultivating high-quality education for all students in Illinois. She held many positions including assistant director, educational specialist, administrative assistant, assistant executive deputy,

Lois G. Egan, 88, Woodstock, died Thursday, Nov. 6, 2014, at Hearthstone Manor surrounded by her loving family. She was born Oct. 2, 1926, to Arthur and Elsie Muldner in St. Louis, Mo. On Sept. 29, 1949, she married Patrick Egan. She attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison, earning a degree in dietetics. While at the UW-Madison, she met her future husband. The couple lived in Milwaukee while her husband finished dental school. They moved to Waupun, Wis., where, together, they raised their six children. In 2007, she moved to Woodstock, where she became a much-loved resident of Hearthstone Manor. She enjoyed golf, cooking and playing bridge and was an avid runner. She was a sports fan who cheered for the