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Obituaries

Marjorie Ann Hayden

Marjorie Ann Hayden, 86, died Friday, Sept. 20, 2013, at home. She was born Aug. 12, 1927, in Woodstock to Albin and Celia Kuppe. On Dec. 30, 1950, she married Donald Robert Hayden. She attended St. Mary’s College, South Bend, Ind. She held variety of occupations, most notably as former treasury officer at Rockford Life Insurance Co. The focus of her life was her family, friends and her Catholic faith. She was devoted to the blessed Virgin Mary, especially in times of trial. She was a member of St. Peter Roman Catholic Church, South Beloit, Wis. She was a master knitter, loved Notre Dame, the Chicago Bears, crossword puzzles and marathon bridge games with her many friends. She loved people

Donald E. Tibbitts

Donald E. Tibbitts, 76, Woodstock, died Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013, at Centegra Hospital – Woodstock, surrounded by his family. He was born Jan. 5, 1937, in Chicago to Edward and Mary Tibbitts.
He enjoyed hunting, fishing, boating and traveling. He was a member of the United States Army where he served proudly at home and abroad. Survivors include his loving wife of 51 years, Judith; a son, John Tibbitts, Palatine; a daughter, Susan (Bart) Muno, Woodstock; a brother, Tom Tibbitts, Harvard; a sister, Kathy Mackey, Tempe, Ariz.; and four grandchildren, Brittany, Justin, Brooke and Brandy. He was preceded in death by his parents. His immediate family attended a private memorial service. A celebration of life memorial service for family and friends

Jerry L. Ray

Jerry L. Ray, 75, Woodstock, died Saturday, Sept. 21, 2013, at Centegra Hospital – McHenry, surrounded by his loving family. He was born June 23, 1938, in Ripley Tenn., to Charles Lackey and Lillie Pearl (Walden) Ray.   On Dec. 21, 1958, he married Nina R. McLemore in Ripley. He worked at Brake Parts for more than 35 years. He loved the outdoors, especially when he was going fishing with his children, his grandchildren or his buddies. He also enjoyed gardening.  He was an active member of the Woodstock Moose Lodge and was a devoted Chicago Bears and Cubs fan. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and son.  Survivors include his wife;  a son, Michael (Barbie “Gale”) Ray,

Tyler B. Young

Tyler B. Young, 28, Marengo, formerly of Woodstock, died Thursday, Sept. 19, 2013, as a result of an automobile accident. He was born Feb. 22, 1985, in Woodstock to Garth and Donna (DeDina) Young.   On Sept. 22, 2012, he married Erin M. Cooney in Woodstock. He was employed with Specialty Cleaning & Restoration and focused on home repair and restoration.  He was an avid racing fan and participated in numerous demolition derbies at the county fair.   He was a member of the EOD and the LMDC. Survivors include his wife; his father; his mother and stepfather, Donna and Ken Fosterud; a brother, Carl F. Young and friend Marci; two sisters, Brandi L. Young and Rhiannon “M.C.” Young; maternal

Myrtle Beresh

Myrtle Beresh, 96, died Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2013, at her home in Delavan, Wis.  She was born in Illinois to Gustaf and Anna Katherine (Madsen) Persson. On Aug. 21, 1953, she married Alexander L. Beresh.  She was member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Delavan, and a longtime waitress at Jess’s Restaurant in Delavan. Survivors include a son, Donald (Sharon) Beresh, Cincinnati; a daughter, Betty (Dr. Robert) Riedner, Waukesha, Wis.; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; two sisters, Mildred (Bill) Luallen and Esther Wienke, both of Woodstock; nieces; nephews; in-laws; and many friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband in January 1990; a son, Lawrence; two brothers; a sister; and in-laws. The funeral was Sept. 14 at the Chapel at Roselawn

Peter J. Pusateri

Peter J. Pusateri, 89, died Saturday Sept. 7, 2013, at Alden Terrace Nursing Home, McHenry. He was born April 12, 1924, in Chicago to Antonino and Mary (Mangione) Pusateri. He was a veteran, having served in the United States Army during World War II.  He also was a member of the American Legion. He enjoyed the simple things in life and was happiest when doing something kind for others. He never asked for anything in return. He will be remembered for his selflessness and generosity to everyone whose path he crossed, but he will be most remembered for being the best daddy in the world. Survivors include a daughter, Debbie (Dan) Carzoli; two sons, Tom Whaples and Rick Whaples; 10

Gerald R. Nitz

Gerald R. Nitz, 69, Woodstock, died Sunday, Sept. 8, 2013. Originally from Anamoose, N.D., he lived in Indianapolis for many years and retired in Woodstock. He earned Bachelor of Science and  Master of Science degrees in agricultural economics from North Dakota State University and the University of Arizona, respectively. He had a successful career in sales and marketing at Eli Lilly and Co./Elanco. He was a supportive, loving father and grandfather who will be dearly missed. Survivors include two daughters, Carrie (Peter) Georgitsis and Laurie (Scott) Howard; a son, Robert Nitz; their mother, Jane K. Nitz; seven grandchildren, Katie, Mark and David Betancourt, Manos Georgitsis and Michael, Kathleen and Alexander Howard; a sister, Frances (Arthur) Prom, Harvey, N.D., and a

Robert J. Gerloff

Robert J. Gerloff, 87, died Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2013, at his home in rural Woodstock, the same house where he was born, on the farm where he lived his whole life.  He was born July 14, 1926, to August and Helena (Stake) Gerloff. On May 24, 1952, he married Eleanor Lorraine Eckert at Grace Lutheran Church, Woodstock. He was a longtime member of Woodstock Progressive Milk Producers Association – a farmer-run co-operative – and served for many years on the board of directors.  Together, he and his wife raised five children and worked in the dairy business. In 1972, they sold their first registered bull for use in artificial insemination. The sale of registered dairy cattle from their small family

Matthew J. Wintersdorf

Matthew J. Wintersdorf, 63, Round Lake, formerly of Wonder Lake, died Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2013, at home. He was born July 27, 1950, in Chicago to Peter and Mary (Rutherford) Wintersdorf.  He moved to Round Lake in 2011. He was a chief operating engineer for LaSalle Partners and Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science. He was a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 399.  He enjoyed summers in Wisconsin at Lake Jordan, and he loved the outdoors. Every evening he had a bonfire. He was an avid Chicago Bears fan and enjoyed music by Celine Dion. His grandchildren were his world. Survivors include a son, Jason V. (fiancee Natalie) Wintersdorf; two daughters, Heather E. Wintersdorf and

Katherine E. Cardella

Katherine E. Cardella, 95, Woodstock, formerly of Crystal Lake, died Sunday, Aug. 25, 2013, at Valley Hi Nursing Home, Woodstock.
She was born June 10, 1918, in Chicago to John and Elizabeth (Gerger) Krach.  On Aug. 24, 1940, she married Sam Cardella in Chicago. She worked for 15 years in the Crystal Lake High School cafeteria. She was known as the “Cookie Lady.”  She was not only known for her cookies but also as a great cook. She had a great sense of humor, and she could light up a room with her smile. Survivors include two sons, Sam (Carol) Cardella and John (Lizabeth) Cardella; a daughter-in-law, Georgia Cardella; five grandchildren, Nina Cardella, Rita (Omar) Bouzoubaa, Matthew (Kiyomi) Cardella, Phillip (Sherri)

Top Writers

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Larry Lough

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

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Janet Dovidio

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

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Susan W. Murray

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

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Tricia Carzoli

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

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