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Obituaries

David L. Turcotte Jr.

David L. “Rat” Turcotte Jr., 52, Woodstock, died Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2014, in Chicago.  He was born June 17, 1961, to David and Elizabeth “Bettsy” Turcotte Sr. in Minnesota. He was very intelligent, attending Barat College, Lake Forest, before transferring to Black Hills State University, where he earned his associate degree before illness hindered further progress. He was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying camping, fishing and hiking. He was one of the founding fathers of the Crossroads Motorcycle Club, serving several years as an officer. He lived and loved the motorcycle lifestyle. As a diabetic, he faced many complications from the disease, including transplants and recently a cancerous tumor that led to complications. Survivors include two sons, Dana Turcotte and Nick

Joseph C. Vanskike

Joseph C. Vanskike, 81, Woodstock, died Monday, Jan. 27, 2014, at Hope Hospice in Florida. He was born March 15, 1932, to Bessie MaHaffey and Ophir Vanskike in Shelbyville, Mo. On Oct. 10, 1952, he married Marilyn Heitschmidt in Woodstock. He worked as a bricklayer with Local 27, and served as president of the union in the late 1960s or early ‘70s. He was a member of Grace Lutheran Church, Woodstock, where he served on the church council, and the property and grounds committee for 15 years. He was also an associate member of Messiah Lutheran, Cape Coral, Fla. He belonged to the Woodstock Moose, and he enjoyed fishing, gardening and playing cards. Survivors include his wife; five sisters, Fay

Bernard F. Kisly Jr.

Bernard F. Kisly Jr., 57, Altmar, N.Y., died Sunday, Jan. 19, 2014, at Francis House, Syracuse, N.Y. He was born July 3, 1956, to Bernard F. and Anne Piorkowski Kisly Sr. in Summit, N.J. On Sept. 11, 2013, he married Debra Skinner. He graduated from Bridgewater-Raritan High School East, Bridgewater, N.J. He also graduated from Villanova University, Philadelphia. He was head of operations for Unilelver, formerly Quest International, for its North American Division. He was also a financial advisor for Merrill Lynch. Survivors include his wife; three sons, Michael Kisly, Stevens Point, Wis., John Fischer, Leesburg, Ga., and James Fischer, Pulaski, N.Y.; two daughters, Lauren Kisly, Austria, and Robbyn Fischer, Pulaski, N.Y.; two brothers, Kevin (Susan) Kisly, Shelton, Conn., and

Della V. Retzke

Della V. Retzke, 92, Woodstock, died Saturday, Jan. 11, 2014, at Hearthstone Manor.  She was born June 2, 1921, to Arthur J. and Edna (Nielson) Erickson in Chicago.  On Aug. 30, 1941, she married Kenneth W. Retzke in Chicago.  She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Woodstock.  She lived in Rolling Meadows for 27 years, moving to Woodstock in 1996. She volunteered at the Northwest Community Hospital, Arlington Heights, and was active at the Bethel Lutheran Church, Palatine.  Survivors include a brother, Arthur (Barb) Erickson; nieces and nephews, Kristeen Redemske, Kerry (Tom) Wallner, Joyce (Jason) Smith, Janis Wiegerling, Wendy Durling, Randy (Kelly) Redemske, Carl (Misty) Erickson and David (Melissa) Erickson; and great-nieces and -nephews, Austin, Adam, Arran,

Doris Marie Graikowski

Doris Marie Graikowski, 82, Woodstock, died Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2014, at Valley Hi Nursing Home. She was born April 8, 1931, to Stanley and Elizabeth (Oberman) Graikowski, in Thorp, Wis. Survivors include three sisters, Alice (John) VanLanduyt, Elaine Perry, and Phyllis Bickford; two brothers, Gerald (Joyce) Graikowski and Dan (Ginger) Graikowski; and many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, and great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; and a brother, Arthur (Phyllis) Graikowski. All services were private.Interment will be in St. Jerome’s Cemetery in Oconomowoc, Wis. Arrangements were made by Schneider-Leucht-Merwin & Cooney Funeral Home.

Rae M. Miller

Rae M. Miller, 85, Marengo, died Sunday, Jan. 26, 2014, at JourneyCare Hospice Inpatient Care Unit, Woodstock surrounded by her loving family. She was born Feb. 17, 1928, to Andrew and Margaret (Rieber) Miller in Chicago. She worked as an accountant for Field Container in Elk Grove for 15 years and took early retirement in June 1977, moving to Manitowish Waters, Wis., with her dear and cherished friend Irene Polka. After Irene died, Rae relocated to Marengo. She then worked at Northrop Grumman, Rolling Meadows. She retired for the second time Feb. 26, 1993. She loved God, her family, friends and life. She loved the beautiful Northwoods and all the animals that passed through. She enjoyed playing cards, a good

Mayland D. Flood

Mayland D. Flood, 92, Woodstock, formerly of New York and New Orleans, died Monday, Jan. 27, 2014, at his home.  He was born Nov. 29, 1921, to Joel and Juana (Yramis) Flood in the Philippines. On May 19, 1954, he married Carolina Platero in Manila.  He was a merchant marine and operated out of New Orleans until his retirement in 1986. He enjoyed boating and fishing.  Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Cynthia and Catherine Flood; a son, Mayland P. Flood; two grandchildren, Elizabeth Flood Davis and Richard Flood.  He was preceded in death by his parents and four brothers.  Visitation and funeral were held Jan. 29 at Schneider-Leucht-Merwin & Cooney Funeral Home. Burial was at McHenry County Memorial Park,

Jessie M. Winkelman

Jessie M. Winkelman, 81, Woodstock, died Monday, Jan. 27, 2014, at JourneyCare Inpatient Hospice Unit, Woodstock.  She was born March 7, 1932, to Isaac A. and Iva E. (Parker) Northup in Selma, Iowa.  On Feb. 23, 1952, she married Wilbur “Swede” Winkelman in Woodstock. She was a member at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Woodstock. She worked at both Guardian Electric and Elco Hillcrest in Woodstock, and she was an avid reader. Most importantly she loved her family. She was loved and will be missed. Survivors include a son, Steve (Linda) Winkelman; a daughter Denise (Gary) Wedoff; five grandchildren, Nicholas (Jamie) Wedoff, Adam (Bridget) Wedoff, Andrew (Sheila) Winkelman, Brian (Kari) Winkelman and Laura Winkelman; 11 great-grandchildren, Audrey, Adalynn, Magdalen, Levi, Lucas,

Wanda S. Kiefer

Wanda S. Kiefer, 59, Woodstock, died Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2014, at her home. She was born Nov. 17, 1954, to Frank and Nancy (Thompson) Wilson, in Woodstock.  In October of 1978, she married James Kiefer in Woodstock. She was lifelong resident of Woodstock, and retired from AT&T after 28 years of service. She spent the last 10 years working for AFC in Lake In The Hills. She enjoyed knitting and vacationing in Minnesota, and Texas, but most of all, she enjoyed her family and spending cherished time with her grandchildren. Survivors include her husband; three children, Jennifer (Tim) Tierney, Jeffrey Kiefer, and Rebecca (Ryan) Whiting, all of Woodstock; two grandchildren, Kaela and Daniel Tierney; her mother, Nancy Wilson, Woodstock; three

Leonard D. Sosinski

Leonard D. Sosinski, 98, Woodstock, died Monday, Jan. 20, 2014, in the arms of his children at Centegra Hospital- Woodstock. He was born Oct. 10, 1915, in Bronson, Mich.   On Feb. 6, 1943, he married his soul mate, Marie Francis Bonacci. A devoted husband, father and grandfather, he served in the U.S. Navy during World War II from 1942 to 1945.  A hero in the eyes of his family as well as his country, he was honored in 2013 for his service as a Pearl Harbor first-responder. After the war, he studied nursing and worked as a nurse anesthetist at Northern Illinois Medical Center, McHenry, until he retired in 1980 at age 65. He was an avid gardener and

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