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Obituaries

Lucille Walters

Lucille Walters, 90, Hebron, died Monday, March 18, 2013, at home.  She was born April 21, 1922, in Mauston, Wis., to William and Olga (Fischer) Voigt.   On May 10, 1941, she married Ervin Walters in Mauston.  She was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Woodstock and loved gardening. She was faithfully and lovingly cared for by her caregiver, Sara, for five years. Survivors include two sons, Richard (Donna) Walters, Woodstock, and Daniel Walters, Hebron; a daughter, Judy (Tom) Atkinson, East Troy, Wis.; nine grandchildren, Janet (Steven) Rouse, Sandra (Jeff) Harris, Nancy (Bill) Beaman, Phillip (Susan) Walters, Angela (Steven) Peterson, Alexia (Josh) Uecker, Marsha McCarthy, Sheila (Adam) Roerig and Tim (Tammy) Atkinson; and 24 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in

Sandra 'Sam' Gentili

Sandra “Sam” Gentili, 62, Woodstock, died Wednesday, March 20, 2013. She was born Aug. 26, 1950, in Cincinnati to Robert and Mary Jane Davis. She graduated from Edina High School in Minnesota and earned a bachelor’s degree at the University of Minnesota. While attending the university, she met her husband, Gene Gentili. She was a creative and talented individual who directed community theater, started her own professional storytelling business and opened an interior design business called GG Fynds. She was a generous and kind spirit and dedicated time to the community and organizations like the Twin Club. Her joy, laughter and love were infectious to those around her. Above all, she was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. Survivors include

Russell Reed

Russell Reed, 93, Woodstock, died Monday, March 18, 2013, at Journey Care Inpatient Hospice Unit, Woodstock. He was born Dec. 25, 1919, in Glenview to Ira and Myrtle (Fritsch) Reed. On Sept. 19, 1979, he married Phyllis Hansing. He was a hard worker and owned and operated a gravel pit on Highway 14 for many years.  Later, he volunteered at the Woodstock Food Pantry and operated a landscaping business. He enjoyed playing cards with friends and loved to travel. He visited all seven continents as well as every state in the Union. He also was an active member at Grace Lutheran Church, Woodstock, and was known to have a joke for every person he met. Survivors include his wife; two

Patrick Joseph Kealey

Patrick Joseph Kealey, 69, Wonder Lake, died Friday, March 15, 2013, after an extended illness. He was born Jan. 20, 1944, in Amarillo, Texas, to Robert and Nellie (Custer) Kealey.  After high school, he joined the U. S. Army and served in Europe, where he traveled extensively on military duty.
An avid sports enthusiast, he also hiked the Swiss Alps, fished for walleye in Rainbow Flowage in Wisconsin, biked the back roads of McHenry County, skied the Birkebeiner Race in Michigan and canoed through Nippersink River in Glacial Park.  He enjoyed watching the Cooking Channel and made croissants from scratch as well as batches of his famous cioppino.  He had a passion for golf and used the moniker “Golfingjose.” He developed

Patrick Joseph Healey

Patrick Joseph Healey, 69, Wonder Lake, died Friday, March 15, 2013, at Centegra Hospital – McHenry. Funeral arrangements are pending at Justen’s Wonder Lake Funeral Home, Wonder Lake

Erin Eola Seeman

Erin Eola Seeman, 48, Woodstock, died Wednesday, March 13, 2013, while vacationing with her husband in Montego Bay, Jamaica. She was born Dec. 22, 1964, in McHenry to Henry “Jim” and Eola “Birdie” (Walters) Deppmeier. On May 12, 1990, she married Robert F. “Bob” Seemann in Huntley. She graduated from Johnsburg High School in 1983. She was a member of Resurrection Catholic Church in Woodstock and enjoyed working with children, especially those with special needs. She was a caring and nurturing person. She enjoyed vacationing in Jamaica, one of her favorite places in the world, and will be missed by all who knew her. Survivors include her husband; a daughter, Rebecca “Becky” Seeman; her mother; two brothers, Brent (Suzanne Schumann) Deppmeier

Margaret A. Vrasich

Margaret A. Vrasich, 85, Woodstock, died Thursday, March 14, 2013, at Journey Care Hospice Center, Woodstock. She was born May 4, 1927, in Chicago to Robert and Pauline (Machtemes) Schultheis. On July 3, 1948, she married Peter P. Vrasich in Chicago. She was a beloved mother and enjoyed raising her eight children and spending time with her grandchildren. Survivors include four sons, Allan (Virginia) Vrasich, David (Terri) Vrasich, Robert (Madonna) Vrasich and Chuck (Sherri) Vrasich; two daughters, Margaret (Gary) Krispin and JoAnna Vrasich; 18 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Dorothy (James) Bolger. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; two sons, Peter and Tony Vrasich; two brothers; and a sister. Visitation was March 19 at Colonial

Ronald B. Rogers

Ronald B. Rogers, 82, Wauconda, died Thursday, March 15, at Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital, Barrington. He was born May 11, 1930, in Chicago to Gerald and Alice Rogers. On March 27, 1967, he married Shirley Minute in Chicago. He enjoyed following horse racing and playing cards with friends. Survivors include three sons, Ronald B. (Sue) Michaelson, Lewis Michaelson and R. Brett (Dawn) Rogers, Woodstock; a daughter, Beth Bentley, Woodstock; 11 grandchildren, Jeremy and Joshua Velmont, C.J. Bentley, Eliana and Andrew Rogers, Kelly (Kevin) Bochenski, Krystal and Kourtney Michaelson, Christopher (Emily) Michaelson, Sean (fiancée Daisy) Michaelson and Patrick Michaelson; and three great-grandchildren, Alex Bochenski, Aidyn Ippolito and Julia Michaelson. He was preceded in death by his wife and parents. The memorial

Keith A. Brandt

Keith A. Brandt, 20, Wonder Lake and formerly of Crystal Lake, died Thursday, March 14, 2013, at Indiana University, South Bend, Ind. He was born Sept. 2, 1992, in McHenry to Keith and Amy Lyn (Edwards) Brandt Sr. He grew up in Crystal Lake and attended school at Crystal Lake Central and McHenry Community High School. He was a student at Indiana University and was active in the student activity center. He was passionate about sports and volunteered at the athletic center. He was an involved student known for helping others.  Survivors include his mother, Amy Lyn Allen, and step-father, Greg Allen, Wonder Lake; a brother, Brandyn Allen, Wonder Lake; a sister, Melanie Allen, Wonder Lake; maternal grandfather, John Edwards,

Marilyn J. Becker

Marilyn J. Becker, 78, Woodstock, died Sunday, March 3, 2013, at Centegra Hospital in Woodstock, surrounded by her loving family. She was born Nov. 1, 1934, in Woodstock to Clarence M. and Elsie H. (Schauer) Busse. She was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Woodstock.   She raised her two children as a single parent. Her family always came first, though she also was dedicated to her friends. She loved animals, especially her dogs.   She enjoyed spending time with her family, going out for lunch and playing Sunday nickel poker games. She retired from the McHenry County Health Department in 1996 after 27 years of service.  She cherished the relationships she developed while serving the department and

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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