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Obituaries

John J. Mencotti

John J. Mencotti, 78, Woodstock, formerly of Naperville, died Friday, April 12, 2013, at Centegra Hospital – McHenry. He was born Nov. 7, 1934 in Detroit to Joseph V. and Annilese (Rustman) Mencotti.  On Jan. 24, 1958, he married Patricia Zemanek.  He joined the United States Navy in 1955 and completed basic training at the Great Lakes Naval Base in Illinois. He served in the Medical Corp during the Korean War. He was proud of his service and the time he served on submarines. He was honorably discharged in 1960.  He was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church, Woodstock, and also was a member of the VFW and the American Legion in Woodstock and Naperville. He enjoyed having laughs

Nancy Reilly

Nancy Reilly, 76, Woodstock, died Tuesday, March 5, 2013, setting her free from Alzheimer’s disease. She was born Sept. 22, 1937, in Woodstock to Edward and Adeline Klemme. She graduated from Northern Illinois University, where she met her husband, Robert Reilly. She taught elementary school in Andalusia for 30 years and also helped her husband at Reilly’s Berry Farm in Milan, enjoying all the berries she could freeze. She traveled far and wide and visited all 50 states as well as Europe, Australia and New Zealand. She also loved to watch birds – especially the winter gathering of eagles on the Mississippi River. She was an avid jewelry and glass bead designer, enjoyed attending the Gem Show in Tucson, Ariz.,

Mark R. Adolphus

Mark R. Adolphus, 56, Wonder Lake, died Monday, April 8, 2013, at home. He was born July 24, 1956, in Chicago to Robert N. and Geraldine L. (Shiplock) Adolphus.   On July 11, 2009, he married Sara Voss in Woodstock. He was active with the Woodstock Jaycees and, as a lifetime member, was inducted into the Jaycee Senate. He was involved in many projects over the years, but took particular enjoyment working on the annual Fourth of July Fireworks celebration. He also was a supporter of the Woodstock VFW and made it a point to support men and women who served in the military. He owned the first video store in Woodstock and ran a concession trailer for the Woodstock

Marston V. 'Marty' Wrublewski

Marston V. “Marty” Wrublewski, 87, Wonder Lake, died Sunday, April 7, 2013, at JourneyCare Hospice in Woodstock. He was born May 10, 1925, in Chicago to John and Nellie (Bolger) Wrublewski.  On April 5, 1947, he married Dorothy Swanson in Chicago.  He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, McHenry. He enjoyed playing cards and gardening, but most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his family and friends.  Survivors include a son, John Wrublewski; two daughters, Linda (Ray) Simon and Deborah (Scott) Roeske; nine grandchildren, Stephanie, Christopher and Zachariah Wrublewski, Cherri (Nate) Wolf, Tina (Kevin) Stanley, Stacy (Jason Brennan) Simon, Kristi (Matt) Van Ham, Dawn (Nick) Kooi and Kelly (Steve Fernstrom) Roeske; and three great-grandchildren, Skylie, Maliyah and Simon.

Annette Sharon Gacki

Annette Sharon Gacki, 68, Woodstock, died Saturday, April 6, 2013. She was born Oct. 11, 1944, in Dallas to Jay and Rosalie Lebcowitz. She was a longtime resident of St. Joseph, Mich., and moved to Illinois in 2007.  She was employed with Walmart in Michigan and Illinois for more than 23 years. Survivors include her husband, Roger Gacki, Woodstock; a daughter, Jennifer (Mike) Flickinger; two grandchildren, Riley and Brady, Huntley; her parents, Dallas; and her mother-in-law, Fleta Gacki, East Lansing, Mich. Services will be private for the family. Memorials can be made to the Journey- Care Hospice Facility, Foundation 405 Lake Zurich Road, Barrington, IL 60010. Services will be private for the family.

Peter J. Waichunas

Peter J. Waichunas, 98, Woodstock, died Wednesday, April 3, 2013. He was born Sept. 30, 1914, in Melrose Park to Peter and Martha (Samarakas) Waichunas.   In May of 1950, he married Dolores Talmont at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church of Chicago. He served in the Army Air Force during World War II. He owned and operated Wayne Metal Products in Melrose Park for 55 years and was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church, Hartland. He enjoyed spending time with his loving family – especially at Griswold Lake – and loved fishing and boating. He also enjoyed golfing, bowling and watching Western movies.   He was a world traveler and enjoyed many trips to Europe and the Middle East.

Robert D. “Bob” Salzman

Robert D. “Bob” Salzman, 84, Cabot, Ark., died Sunday, April 7, 2013, at home, surrounded by family and friends. He was born Jan. 19, 1929, in Libertyville to Herman F. and Margaret Bauer Salzman. He was a graduate of St. Mary’s High School in Woodstock and retired from the United States Air Force as a chief master sergeant after 30 years. After retirement, he worked for several years in real estate, at Dyson Oil Company Sales and for the Rolling Hills Country Club Pro Shop. He loved spending time with his family and also enjoyed bowling, fishing, playing cards and golfing. Survivors include his wife of 51 years, Phyllis C. Jumper Salzman; four sons, John Todd (Kelly) Salzman, Colorado Springs,

Juanita Ann Ward

Juanita Ann Ward, 78, Normal, died Sunday, March 31, 2013, at home with her husband at her side. She was born May 12, 1934, in Linn, Kan., to Lawrence Fred and Dora Mary Katheran (Kriete) Lohmeyer. On June 16, 1956, she married Robert Eugene Ward in Woodstock. She moved with her family to Woodstock in 1942. She graduated from Woodstock Community High School and worked for the McHenry County Farm Bureau. She and her husband moved to Normal in 1959. She enjoyed being a stay-at-home mother and later worked at Bergner’s, Lucy’s Draperies and as the office manager for her husband’s architectural firm. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Normal, enjoyed playing in two bridge clubs,

Ruth (Patton) Rosio

Ruth (Patton) Rosio, 77, Woodstock, died Friday, March 29, 2013, in Woodstock.  She was born Aug. 12, 1935. She married Eugene Allen Rosio in September 1956. She was a cashier at Jewel Foods in McHenry for many years. Survivors include her husband; three daughters, Gina (Rick) Papworth, Belvidere, Amy (Francisco) Cesar, Woodstock, and Natalie (Brian) Lovato, Elkorn, Wis.; two sons, Eugene Andrew (Doreen) Rosio, Woodstock, and Allen (Tawnya) Rosio, Alden; 11 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; two sisters, Betty Lemon, Madison, Wis., and Janet Hawkins, Texas; and other relatives and friends. Private services were held.  Memorials can be sent to Florence Nursing Home, 546 E. Grant Highway, Marengo, IL 60152.

Lisa A. Schacht

Lisa A. Schacht, 44, Marengo, died Tuesday, March 26, 2013, at Northwestern Memorial Hospital,   Chicago, surrounded by her family and friends. She was born April 18, 1968, in Evergreen Park to Keith and Pamela (Mysliwiec) Schacht.   She was a member of Daughters of the American Revolution and was employed by Centegra Health System in the admissions department. Survivors include her father and stepmother, Kathleen, Jacksonville, Fla.; two daughters, Lisanne and Lexandra Werle,   Marengo; two brothers, Patrick Schacht, Woodstock, and Dave Schacht, McHenry; former husband, Anthony Werle, Marengo; best friend, Tony; and friends Lisa Jedrucek and Marcy Marks. She was preceded in death by her mother. A memorial gathering was March 29 at Schneider-Leucht-Merwin & Cooney Funeral Home,

Top Writers

Larry Lough

Larry Lough

Larry Lough is editor of The Independent and reports local news.

Janet Dovidio

Janet Dovidio

Janet Dovidio has been a freelance correspondent for The Independent for eight years.

Susan W. Murray

Susan W. Murray

Susan W. Murray wrote for The Independent, covering various beats, from 2005 to 2008.

Tricia Carzoli

Tricia Carzoli

Tricia Carzoli is a freelance writer and photographer that on community news.

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