Marcia L. Johnson passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on January 26, 2025, in Woodstock, Ill. Marcia was born on May 27, 1948, in Roseau, Minn., to Gladys and Irvin Johnson. A true Minnesotan at heart her entire life, Marcia always felt blessed to have come from a small town where everyone knew everyone. Spending time on the family farms outside of town, especially with her cousin, ReNae, was some of her most treasured time. As was true for a lot of Roseau kids, ice skating was central to their lives (she still had original hand-sewn costumes from the skating shows she participated in). Marcia graduated from Roseau High School in 1966, and Concordia College, Moorhead, Minn.,

Matthew Hooper passed away from complications of ALS, Lou Gehrig’s disease, which he was diagnosed with on December 12, 2024. He was at his home surrounded by his family. Matthew was born along with his twin brother Michael on June 12, 1959 to Patricia Hooper.  He lived in Woodstock all his life and graduated in 1977 from Woodstock High School. On June 10, 1978, he married Wendy Schmarje. Matt worked at the Woodstock Daily Sentinel, Graftek Press, St. John’s Lutheran Church, Faith Lutheran High School, Harbor Freight, and Auto Zone. He was a faithful man who enjoyed playing dartball and softball and fixing and repairing small engines and helping everyone and anyone that needed something.  He is survived by his

Mark Wallace Alison, 93, longtime resident of Woodstock and Barrington, Illinois, passed away peacefully in Alexandria, Virginia, in December.  Beloved husband of Helen Louise Alison (née  Carter), father of Stewart Lloyd Alison and Celeste Ann Heather (née Alison), grandfather of Justin John Alison and William Stuart Heather, father-in-law of Sean Stuart Heather, and Justin’s mother Katie Ebert, he will be deeply missed.    He will be remembered as a devoted husband, beloved father and grandfather, lifelong learner and dear friend and teacher to many.  A celebration of life will be held at a later date in Woodstock, Illinois, and Mark’s ashes will be interred in Vermilion County, Illinois.    In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts are encouraged in Mark’s memory to:   “Some

Barbara Shinabarger, a resident of Woodstock, Illinois, passed away on January, 22nd, 2025, at the age of 72 from cancer. Barbara was born in Ypsilanti, Michigan on December 27th, 1952. She graduated from Western High School in Parma, Michigan in 1975 as Salutatorian, and went on to study at Spring Arbor University, Oral Roberts University, Boston University, and Church of God Theological Seminary. She earned a Masters of Divinity and Masters of Counseling. Barbara married Delbert Shinabarger in 1976, and the two served a life of ministry as pastors and counselors. In addition to numerous church roles, both served as chaplains in hospitals and nursing homes. Delbert passed away in 2014. Together they are survived by their children: Jonathan and

Jim “Coach” Patton, age 88, passed away on January 16, 2025, at Gulf Coast Hospital in Fort Myers, Florida with his wife Deb by his side. Jim earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Illinois College where he played football, a Master’s Degree from Illinois State University, and served in the military. For 35 years he taught high school physical education and coached football, wrestling, softball, track, and swimming at Woodstock High School, in Woodstock, Illinois. He coached and played semi-pro football for the Rockford Rams and Delevan Red Devils. If Jim was not teaching sailing on Lake Geneva or Crystal Lake during the summer he and Deb could be found traveling nationally, visiting all 50 states, and internationally to Europe, China,

Susan M. (Jacobs) Anderson went to her heavenly home on January 8, 2025, surrounded by her loving family after a brave fight with Leukemia. She was truly a gift from God to all who knew her. Sue was born on April 13, 1946 in Rockford, Illinois, to Ben and Lois (Speed) Jacobs. Sue’s childhood was spent on dairy farms around northern Illinois. She was the oldest of Ben and Lois’s five children. She is survived by all her siblings Lloyd (Barbara) Jacobs, Linda Rupp, Ben (Sue) Jacobs Jr., and Lora Jacobs. She graduated from Woodstock High School in 1964, where she made many lifelong friends and met her future husband, Ronald (Ron) Anderson. On May 1, 1965, she and Ron

Gayle Yvonne Hoch, nee, Burch, 85, successfully completed her journey and went on her way to rest with the Lord, passing unexpectedly at home on January 3, 2025. Gayle was born on October 28, 1939 in Ashland Wisconsin to Arthur and Bertha Burch. She became the new younger sister to her brother, Robert (Bob) Burch. Gayle was a graduate of Woodstock High School, class of 1957. It was there that she met the love of her life, John O. Hoch. They were married at Grace Lutheran Church in Woodstock in 1959. Together, they had two sons, John Bryan Hoch and Jeffery John Hoch during their marriage of 51 years. Her first job after high school was an office assistant for

Clifford Laurence “Cliff” Ganschow, a prolific businessman who saved Woodstock’s Old Courthouse, passed away recently at age 89. He will be remembered for his sharp intellect, great sense of humor, athleticism, perseverance, his love of Woodstock, and his devotion to family and friends. Born October 14, 1935, in Princeton, Illinois, Cliff grew up on the family farm in Normandy, Illinois where he attended one of the state’s last one-room schoolhouses before heading to Walnut High School, where he excelled in academics and athletics. Born in Princeton, Illinois, in 1935, Cliff grew up on the family farm and excelled in academics and athletics at Walnut High School.  At Iowa State University, he majored in journalism and agronomy and was first sports

Julius “Tom” Velmont, 76, Harvard, died Wednesday, Dec,18, 2024, at Mercy Hospital in Harvard. Tom was born December 18, 1948, in Woodstock to Julius and Dora Velmont. Tom was known to many as a hard-working, generous man. He was an owner of T&E Cleaning Service as well as Tom’s Small Engine Repair in Hebron. Tom loved spending time with his family and friends and enjoyed helping people in need. Tom loved to bring a smile to your face and enjoy a laugh together. He also enjoyed gardening, woodworking and he built many homes. Tom will be greatly missed by his loving family and many friends. He is survived by eight children, Jeffery Velmont, Michael (Michelle) Velmont, David (Sarah) Velmont, Cindy (Rich) Torkelson, Roxy

Ronald “Mike” Daniel O’Leary passed away on December 14th, 2024, at the age of 80. He was born February 8th, 1944, in Woodstock, IL to Ronald and Mary (Levernier) O’Leary.  Mike was a Woodstock native. He attended St. Mary Catholic School and Marian Central Catholic High School; he went on to college to study history until enlisting in the Marine Corp where he served in Vietnam. He and Rhonda raised their children in Marengo, IL. A devout Catholic and an avid reader, Mike’s greatest joy was spending time with family and friends.  Mike leaves his loving wife of 56 years, Rhonda Marie (Gibbs) and eight children: Molly (Paul) Nordan, Amy Serafin, Michael (Andrea), Brigid (Keith) Ehrke, Conor (Olivia), Hannah (Frankie),