Sydna A. Becker, 80, Vero Beach, Fla., died Friday, April 25, 2014, at Indian River Medical Center. She was born Nov. 25, 1933, in Cleveland. She graduated from Lakewood High School in Lakewood, Ohio, and later graduated from Purdue University with a bachelor’s degree in industrial psychology. She was a founding member of the McHenry County Defenders and served as president of the organization for more than seven years. Prior to retirement, she worked for 15 years for Rex Clay Accounting in Honolulu.   She moved to Vero Beach eight years ago from Honolulu. Survivors include her husband of 48 years, Robert J. Becker; two sons, Richard Fredricksen and John Becker; two daughters, Jean Cassidy and Carolyn Gibeau; a stepdaughter,

Doris L. Taylor, 88, Woodstock, died Sunday, April 27, 2014, surrounded by her family at her home. She was born April 7, 1926, to James and Lydia (Eberhardt) McNeil in Chicago.   She married John T. “Jack” Taylor, who died in 1962. She was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church.  She was a legal secretary in Woodstock from 1963 until she retired from attorney James Hecht’s office at the age of 72.  She was a volunteer at St. Mary and with the Woodstock Food Pantry, and was a member of the Woodstock Garden Club.  She was an avid traveler and a loving grandmother who would do anything for her grandchildren. Survivors include four children, Chuck Taylor, Woodstock, Andrew (Joan)

Mercedes Paulsen, 94, formerly of Harvard, died Thursday, April 26, 2014, at the Bickford House in Peoria. She was born Mary Mercedes Shields in1920 to Michael and Hannah Shields in Alden Township. Her family moved to Harvard when she was 5 years old where her father started an oil retail business. In June 1946, she married Lyle F. Paulsen.  She attended Mundelein College and graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in English in 1942. She taught school in Libertyville for a few years after graduation. After she married, she taught at St. Mary School and in Woodstock School District 200. She and her husband lived on a 400-acre farm in Hartland Township until July 2001. The farm

Richard John “Dick” Barthuly, 71, Wonder Lake, died Friday, April 25, 2014, at his home. He was born July 28, 1942, to Jacob and Rosemary (Kmeick) Barthuly in Chicago. On Feb. 8, 1964, he married Barbara Anne Duchaj in Chicago. Formerly of Chicago, he was a resident of Wonder Lake since 1965. He was a self-employed tax preparer and owner of five H & R Block businesses in Crystal Lake, Woodstock, Algonquin, Harvard, and Huntley. He earned the enrolled agent credential with the IRS, the highest credential the IRS awards. During his leisure time, he loved to go dancing with his wife and was a certified dance instructor. He was an avid fan of the Chicago Bears.  A generous man

David Allen Seisser Sr., 69, Holiday Acres, Moberly, Mo., died at his home Monday, April 21, 2014. He was born Jan. 6, 1945, to Albert and Celestine (Fitzgerald) Seisser in Elgin .   On April 20, 1966, he married Nancy Fosnaugh in Delton, Mich., and they enjoyed 48 years together. He served in the United States Army from 1963 to 1965.  Following an honorable discharge, he worked as a superintendent for the Woodstock water and sewer department until his retirement. He and his wife moved to Holiday Acres in October 2010 where he enjoyed fishing and hunting.  He also loved Westerns and horseback riding and was known as a kind, soft-hearted person and a “going-out-to-lunch” junkie. He especially cherished the

Rick A. Sorensen, 53, Baraboo, Wis., died Saturday, April 19, 2014, at his home. He was born Oct. 29, 1960, to Jack and Betty (Koplin) Sorensen in Belvidere. He worked for Knaack for many years before moving to Baraboo to work for Kallahari Resort at the Wisconsin Dells. He enjoyed fishing, golf and just being in the great outdoors. Survivors include his parents; two brothers, Daniel (Pamela) Sorensen, Wonder Lake, and David (Lori) Sorensen, Walworth, Wis.; and four nieces and nephews, Hanah, Dana, Jeremiah and Jacob. The visitation and funeral were April 24 at Grace Lutheran Church. Memorials can be made to the family for a future memorial. Arrangements were made by Schneider-Leucht-Merwin & Cooney Funeral Home.

Joseph J. Kosirowski, 75, Woodstock, died Sunday, April 27, 2014, at his home in Woodstock . He was born Aug. 28, 1938, to Joseph C. and Mary R. (Wierzbicki) Kosirowski in Chicago.  On Oct. 20, 1962, he married Carol Ann Wacek in Chicago . He was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church, Hartland. He worked in the printing industry for many years. He was well known for his knowledge of animal genetics. He raised many different types of animals and passed on his knowledge to anyone who asked. He loved his social time with friends and enjoyed lively conversations. His time spent with his family was always the highlight of his day. Survivors include his wife; three sons, Joseph

Margaret Ann Sherman, 71, Wonder Lake, died Thursday, April 24, 2014, at her home surrounded by her family.  She was born May 25, 1942, to Jesse and Goldie Mae (Crawford) Gooslin in Thacker Mines, W.V.  On Feb. 14, 1987, she married Leonard Sherman in Pistakee Highlands. She was a resident of Wonder Lake for the past 27 years.  She was a homemaker, and for many years she also assisted families with housekeeping duties in their homes.  She enjoyed baking, cooking and sewing.  Her special talent was baking cakes for anniversaries, weddings and special events. A doting grandmother and great-grandmother, taking care of her family was always most important to her.    Survivors include her husband; five children, Pamela Hatfield, Tina

Jerry Wilcox, 73, Woodstock, died Saturday, April 19, 2014, in Medford, Ore., after a battle with amyloidosis. He was born July 9, 1941, to Paul and Ethel Wilcox in Woodstock. In 1961, he married Joyce Kubian. He graduated from Woodstock Community High School in 1960. He worked at Woodstock Die Cast from the early ‘60s until 1985 when he retired. At the time of his retirement, he was president of UAW Local 922. After his retirement, he moved to Nevada where he lived with his second wife, Jan Hahn. He later moved to Panguitch, Utah, and finally to Medford. He spent his last years doing the things he loved most, including camping, hunting, fishing and spending time with family and

Gordon Patrick Bauer, 63, Wonder Lake, died Wednesday, April 23, 2014, at Centegra Hospital-McHenry.  He was born May 3, 1950, in East St. Louis to Urban and Dorothy (Jones) Bauer.  On Dec. 27, 1980, he married Ellen Krueger at Saint Stephen Lutheran Church in Antioch. He was raised in Ringwood and later moved to Round Lake Park where he raised his family. He moved to Iron River, Mich., where he lived  for many years before moving back to Wonder Lake. He was employed with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office from 1979 until 1997 and then with the Prairie Grove Police Department until retiring in 2011. He enjoyed fishing and hunting and was an antique tractor enthusiast who built miniature farm