Violet D. Haimbaugh, 98, Marengo, died Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2014, at Valley Hi Nursing Home, Woodstock. She was born March 15, 1915, to Clinton and Ida Mae (Miller) Bryant in Rochester, Ind.  On May 4, 1935, she married Omer Haimbaugh in Rochester. She was a member of the Assembly of God Church in Woodstock and previously a member of Greenwood United Methodist Church. She enjoyed painting, ceramics, quilting and sewing. She was a member of the McHenry County Homemakers Association. She also enjoyed traveling. Survivors include three sons, Richard (Carol) Haimbaugh, Kurtis (Judy) Haimbaugh and David (Lynda) Haimbaugh; three daughters, Mary (Donald) Secrist, Barbara Jane Hille and Karen (Gary) Tudor; 13 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded

Andrew J. Widzisz 70, Woodstock, died Friday, Feb. 21, 2014, at his home. He was born July 3, 1943, to John and Wanda (Genca) Widzisz in Chicago.  On July 14, 1971, he married Wanda Roszczynialska in Chicago. He enjoyed the outdoors with his family and also liked fishing, hiking and camping. He was also a passionate gardener and enjoyed sharing his crop with friends and family. He loved being Grandpa and spending time with his grandchildren. Survivors include his wife; two sons, Marcel (Renee) Widzisz and David Widzisz; a daughter, Nadine (Paul) Mateo; five grandchildren, Owen, Julien, Natalie, Will and Liam; a brother, John (Luanne) Widzisz; a sister, Rita (Walter) Niesluchowski; and his lifelong best friend Ronald Bishop. He was

Lois M. DeWane, 90, Woodstock, died Sunday, Feb. 16, 2014, at her home. She was born to Elmer and Marion Myers in Sugar Grove.  She was raised on the family farm. After the death of her father, she and her mother and sister moved to Belvidere where their brother was living. It was while in Belvidere that she met her future husband, Emmet J. DeWane. They were married June 9, 1951. Following the wedding, they settled in Woodstock where they raised their family and remained for the rest of their lives.  She was a beautician and later a stay-at-home mother. She also worked at Woodstock Memorial Hospital for 15 years until her retirement. Her life’s joy was her husband, children

Andrew C. Vadnais, 24, Grass Valley, Calif., formerly of Woodstock, died Friday, Jan. 10, 2014, surrounded by his loving family and his girlfriend after a battle with cancer.  He was born Aug. 12, 1990, to Clifford and Vernie Vadnais in Woodstock. He was a self-employed jewelry designer and gemstone expert and enjoyed collaborating with other accomplished jewelry designers. His passion was traveling to gem shows and music venues with his girlfriend. He was an inspiration to many and loved to share his craft with aspiring artists. He loved the outdoors and was fond of the many wonders of the Sierra Mountains, especially the giant redwood trees and the Yuba River. He also enjoyed animals, golfing and music. He will be

Jeffrie Lee Whiting, 51, Cherry Valley, died Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2014, at St. Anthony Medical Center, Rockford. He was born Sept. 10, 1962, to Robert and Paula (Hyatt) Whiting. He was a CAD engineer and he worked for Union Special for more than 17 years.  He also worked at Home Depot for more than 10 years, and most recently was employed at Sports ‘N More.  He enjoyed home renovation, woodworking projects and being outdoors.  He was an avid Steelers fan and loved watching football.   Survivors include two sisters, Julie (Aaron) Smith and Jill (Gary) Mungle; two nieces, Rebecca Mungle and Kayla Mungle; his loving companion, Paula Lamont; Paula’s children, Jennifer (Jason) Hansen, Michelle (Ken) Decker and Jimmy Lamont; Paula’s

Margaret “Cele” Perry, 76, Spring Grove, formerly of Richmond, died Friday, Feb. 14, 2014, at Paradise Park Assisted Living, Fox Lake. She was born March 31, 1937, to John and Margaret (McLane) Powers in Peoria. On Oct. 25, 1958, she married Ronald Perry in Harvard. She was a 1955 graduate of St. Mary High School, Woodstock. She worked as a teller/receptionist at the State Bank of Richmond for 27 years, retiring in 2002. She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Richmond, and a charter member and past officer of the Richmond Lioness Club. She loved gardening, puzzles of all kinds, reading, crafts and babysitting grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She lived her life joyfully, constantly giving of her time, patience

Oliver “Bud” Garrison, 86, Woodstock, died Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2014, at his home. He was born May 7, 1927, in Salem to Charles and Bernice (Brown) Garrison. On May 12, 1945, he married Julia Legler at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Hartland. He was a veteran, serving in the United States Army during World War II and stationed in Germany. For 35 years he worked for Northern Illinois Gas Company. He enjoyed camping with his family, fishing and woodworking. Mostly he loved spending time with his grandchild and great-grandchild. Survivors include his wife; a son, James (Ann) Garrison; a daughter, Teresa Herendeen; a grandson, Tobias (Cindy) Herendeen; a great-grandson, Garrison Herendeen; a sister, Mable Harwood; and many nieces and nephews. He

Cole “CJ” “Coach J” Burton Johansen, 67, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, formerly of Woodstock, died Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014, at home, surrounded by his wife and loved ones after losing his fourth battle with cancer .  He was born May 20, 1946, to Charles and Evalyn Peterson Johansen in Woodstock. On July 2, 2006, he married Trudy in a garden wedding in the backyard of their home in Iowa.  He graduated from Woodstock High School in 1964, where he played football and basketball and participated in track. In basketball his senior year, he and his best friend Don Anderson were the number one and two leading scorers, respectively, in their conference. He was selected to First Team All-Conference and the Chicago

Richard Morelli Pace, 84, Woodstock, died peacefully Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014. He was a long-time educator and retired principal of Northwood Junior High School in Woodstock. Survivors include his wife, Barbara (Ryan); a daughter, Patricia (Peter) Baltes; a son, Michael (Linda) Pace; and five grandchildren, Ryan, Briana, Carly, Jessica and Dominic. Memorial services were private.

Nancy (Murray) Thomas, 64, Lakeland, Fla., died of cancer Monday, Jan. 13, 2014.  She was a business owner. Services will be at 10 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 22, 2014, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Hartland.