Barry Leonard Rusche, 67, Portland, Texas, formerly of Woodstock, died May 5, 2013, with his family at his side. He was born June 24, 1946, in Chicago to Frank Rusche (June) and Roberta Bennett.  He graduated from Woodstock High School and proudly wore his letter jacket until the end.  He received an associates degree from St. Petersburg Junior College, Florida, in 1970 and went to work for State Farm Insurance. Eventually, he became agency manager. He was known as the “Famous Insurance Guy.” During his tenure at State Farm, he won numerous awards and was asked to develop and publish essential training materials. After spending many years with State Farm, he decided to become an independent insurance agent and sold

James Thomas Hum, 46, Wonder Lake, died Friday, May 3, 2013, at home. He was born Dec. 26, 1966, in Chicago to James William and Linda Lou (Murray) Hum. He was employed by Waste Management and enjoyed golf, softball, camping, motorcycles and his dog, Gage. He was an avid sports fan and followed the Chicago Bears, Cubs and Blackhawks. Survivors include his fiancé, Shelly Berg, Wonder Lake,  and a brother, Brian (Melissa) Hum, Pell Lake, Wis. He was preceded in death by his parents. Visitation was May 9 at Colonial Funeral Home, McHenry. Memorials can be sent to the American Cancer Society.

Michael R. Eby, 64, Woodstock, died Wednesday, May 8, at home. He was born July 21, 1949, in Elgin to Robert and Kit (Thompson) Eby. He grew up in Woodstock and was a graduate of Woodstock High School. He served in the U.S. Army from 1969 to 1971 and received a Bronze Star and Purple Heart for his service in Vietnam. He also served in the honor guard. He was employed with Eagle Foods for 33 years and was a longtime manager at the Woodstock location. He also worked for Woodstock High School for 12 years. He loved his family and his family loved him. He enjoyed fishing, good times, good friends; having fires in the backyard with his wife

Raymond “Racer Ray” Nelson Sr., 68, Woodstock, died Wednesday, May 8, with his family by his side, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born May 8, 1945, in Harvard to Raymond and Lena (John) Nelson. He grew up farming, lived in the country and attended Hebron High School. On April 24, 1964, he married Caroline Dorwaldt in Hebron. He  was a certified GM mechanic and worked at Ferris Bros. for many years before working at Motor Service Company, both in Harvard. He was a well-known engine builder. He enjoyed drag and stock car racing and restoring classic cars, including his prized 1957 Chevy. Most recently, he was the engine builder for the Roush Brothers championship race car at

Andrew W. Eisele, 50, Woodstock, died Wednesday, May 1, 2013, at Good Shepherd Hospital, Barrington. He was born March 23, 1963, in Chicago to Joseph and Sharon (Brady) Eisele. He graduated from Geneva High School in 1981 and from Eastern Illinois University in 1985. He earned a master’s degree from Olivet Nazarene University. He taught middle school in Prairie Grove until his retirement and had a passion for science. He was an animal lover, enjoyed gardening and loved cooking. Survivors include a daughter, Mia Eisele; a son, Grant Eisele; their mother, Kelly; his parents; a brother, Dennis (Lisa) Eisele; two sisters, Lynn (Randy) Tipps and Vicki Schmid; nieces and nephews, Alexander and Samuel Eisele, Brandon Sleesman, Emily Tipps, Claudia, Marian

Johnny Torres, 62, San Antonio, formerly of Woodstock, died Thursday, March 7, 2013, at Vitas Morningside Inpatient Unit at Morningside Manor, San Antonio. He was born June 23, 1950, in Rochelle to Francisco and Cristina (Villasenor) Torres. He worked at Route 14 Auto Parts as a mechanic for many years and was an avid traveler who loved playing the guitar. Survivors include his wife, Victoria, Lafayette, Ind.; a son, Johnny Joe Torres; two daughters, Trina Torres and Jennifer (Jeff) Kowal; a stepson, Jake Wilson; 10 grandchildren, Shawna Torres, Elijah, Noah, Hannah, Dalton, Logan, Dakota, Raven, Kailie and Kohan; three great-grandchildren, Destiny, Mariah and Mason; and six siblings, Rudy, Fred, Isabel, Linda, Angie and Annie. A memorial service was held at

Kathleen Hansen (Miller), 62, Woodstock, died Thursday, May 2, 2013. She was a teacher for Marian Central Catholic High School for 27 years and enjoyed teaching AP English and speech composition. She dedicated her life’s work to her students. She was an avid runner and completed many races, including half marathons. She enjoyed relaxing in front of a warm fire, spending time with her family and friends and being active in her church. Survivors include her husband of 40 years, Earl; a daughter, Elizabeth (Peter) Greenlimb; a son, Michael Hansen; her mother, Mary Ellen (Henry) Miller; two grandchildren, Peter and Grace Greenlimb; two sisters, MaryAnn (Alan) Castillo and Laurie (Mike) Stanton; four brothers, Max (Mary) Miller, Mike (Renita) Miller, Joe

Donald D. Peasley, 90, died Friday, May 3, 2013, at his Woodstock home. Peasley was born Dec. 5, 1922, on the family farm near Stronghurst, son of John and LaVerna Dixson Peasley. A graduate of Terre Haute (Illinois) High School in 1940, he attended the University of Illinois from 1940-43 and began his career as a journalist on the editorial staff of The Daily Illini. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy Reserves and began active duty July 1, 1943. He served in the Pacific Theater aboard the U.S.S. Blue Ridge, an amphibious force command ship, and the USS Lawrence C. Taylor, a destroyer escort that worked closely with an aircraft carrier to patrol the shipping lanes off the coasts of

Esther Nicolene Hughes, 95, Woodstock, died April 26, 2013, at Hearthstone Communities, Woodstock.   She was born July 24, 1917, in Culbertson, Mont. to Anton and Martha (Larsen) Hansen, on the family homestead. Her family moved to Woodstock and she started first grade speaking only Danish. She credited her first-grade teacher for spending extra time with her so she could learn English. She was proud of her Danish and American heritage. As a teenager, she lived in Chicago with relatives, as a companion to their children.  She worked at Woodstock Auto-Lite for 33 years, retiring in 1980. She enjoyed history, recounting great stories of her family’s ancestry and spending time with her family, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and many friends. She was

Ferdinand “Fred” J. Strang Sr., 89, Woodstock, died Tuesday, April 23, 2013, at JourneyCare Hospice, Woodstock, after a brief illness. He was born July 26, 1923, in Zams, Triol, Austria, to Joseph and Marie (Greener) Strang. On July 31, 1943, he married Ruthella “Midge” Latham. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and served in the Pacific Theatre during World War II. He was proud of getting his pilot’s license and loved to fly. In 1946, he opened Fred’s Upholstery in Woodstock. Three generations of family members continue to serve his customers at the shop. He was a longtime member of St. Mary Catholic Church, Woodstock, as well as the Woodstock Moose Lodge and Woodstock VFW Post 5040. He