Marian L. Engstrom, 90, died Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014, at her home in Woodstock surrounded by her family.  She was born Oct. 30, 1923, in Rapid City, S.D. On Nov. 15, 1945, she married Howard J. Engstrom in her hometown.  Over the years, she and Howard traveled to 50 states and 13 countries. Along with  traveling, Marian enjoyed reading, writing poetry, studying genealogy, taking nature walks, gardening, interior decorating, picking berries and sitting in the sun. She was an active member in her community as a hospice volunteer, putting on charity vintage fashion shows, assisting at the Woodstock Opera House and helping out at the PADS homeless shelter. Her entrepreneurial spirit sparked two catering businesses and an antique shop. A

Patricia “Trixie” Snelton, 77, died Thursday, Jan. 2, 2014, at her home in Bull Valley, only a month from the day she lost her husband. She was born July 13, 1937, in Des Plaines, to Charles and Henrietta (Powers) Doetsch. She was a lover of all animals, especially horses, caring for her own, and showing them for more than 20 years.  She was also a dedicated and skilled artist.  She was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, and she will be missed by many. Survivors include her two sons, Richard “Rusty” Snelten Jr. and Greg (Jan) Snelten; eight grandchildren, Nicky Snelten, Kyle (Melissa) Snelten, Jessie (Adam) Rebella, Doug Snelten, Ryan (Nikki) Snelten, Brittany Snelten, Brooke (Vince) Wadman and Shannon (Gary)

Stephanie Boyd, 39, Cherry Valley, formerly of Woodstock, died Friday, Dec. 20, after battling cancer.  She was  born Dec. 29, 1973, to Bruce and Rebecca (O’Farrell) Rosenthal in Woodstock. Survivors include her husband, James; a son, Cole; a sister, Jennifer (Max) Wilson; a brother, Bobby (Rachel) Rosenthal; a niece, nephew and many cousins.  She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, George and Lillian Hoffman; and maternal grandfather, the Rev. Earl O’Farrell.  A memorial service was held Jan. 11, at St. John‘s United Church, Union.  Memorials can be made to JourneyCare Hospice.

Tom A. Joorfetz, 59, Woodstock, died Monday, Dec. 30, 2013, at JourneyCare Hospice Inpatient Unit, Woodstock. He was born May 26, 1954, to Albert E. and Alice (Thompson) Joorfetz, in Woodstock. Survivors include his parents; a brother, Terry Joorfetz; two sisters, Beth (Terry) Jones and Peggy (Matt) Shimniok; a niece, Kelley (Todd) Dvorak; and three nephews, David Hoven, Cameron Shimniok and Spencer Shimniok. A memorial gathering will be held at a later date. Arrangements are being made by Schneider-Leucht-Merwin & Cooney Funeral Home.

Dorothy Jean “Dottie” Alejandro, 69, died Monday, Dec. 30, 2013, at her home in Woodstock, surrounded by her loving family. She was born Sept. 13, 1944, in Shawneetown to Herman and Isabelle (Ransom) Dortch. On Sept. 17, 1963, she married Juan Alejandro in Woodstock. She was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church.  She worked for a time as a real estate agent, but she also had a degree in early childhood education.  She loved her kids and would do anything for them.  She was active as a room mother, bringing in homemade cookies and cakes when her children were in school.  She also took her children and their friends anywhere they needed or wanted to go.  She was an

Jesse S. Pilcher, 78, died Monday, Dec. 30, 2013, at his home in Woodstock. He was born Aug. 12, 1935, in Galesburg, to Jesse and Lillian (Long) Pilcher.  On March 25, 1956, he married Janet Phillippi. He loved motorcycling, good food, going to garage sales on the weekends and making peanut brittle. He enjoyed old country music and movies, and he loved his children, grandchildren and the simple things in life.  Survivors include two sons, Charles Pilcher and Roger Pilcher; a daughter, Beth Ann Ramey; a sister, Clara McVay; and eight grandchildren, Diana, Jeffrey, Christina, Benjamin, Cody, Jamie, Madelyn and Annalise. He was preceded in death by his wife, his parents and a son, Jeffrey, Dec. 1, 2012. The visitation

Barbara A. Salins, 70, Wonder Lake, died Monday, Dec. 30, 2013, at Centegra Hospital – McHenry. She was born Aug. 1, 1943, in Chicago to Sam and Florence (Hobe) Sciortino.  On Nov. 14, 1964, she married Jerome E. Salins in Melrose Park. Previously of Addison, she was a resident of Wonder Lake for the past 13 years. In her lifetime, she took great pride in caring for her husband, raising her children and making a comfortable home for her family and friends. She was a wonderful cook and had the philosophy that no one left her table hungry. After celebrations, guests often were sent home with a meal to enjoy the next day.  She was also well known for her

Michael A. Hansen, 64, died Saturday, Dec. 28, 2013, at his home in Greenwood. He was born March 14, 1949, in Woodstock to Clarence and Marjorie (Hutson) Hansen.  A lifelong resident of Woodstock, he graduated from Woodstock High School in 1968. Immediately after graduation he joined the Army and proudly served his country during the Vietnam war. He worked for Unions 681 and 150 for 30 years, retiring in 2011. In his spare time he enjoyed fishing, hunting and the loyal companionship of his beloved Brittany spaniel, Scrappy. His greatest joy was spending time with his family and babysitting his grandchildren. Survivors include a son, Christopher (Jessie) Hansen; a daughter, Vonnie Hansen; five grandchildren, Mollie Hansen, Mariah Hansen, Connor Hansen,

Thomas Richard Bowman, 79, died Wednesday, May 1, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. He was born Dec. 5, 1934, in Rittman, Ohio. He served in the 5th Army Signal Corp in Germany from 1954 to 1956 and was honorably discharged in 1962. He graduated from Bowling Green State University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 1958.  He was employed with CNA Insurance for 23 years and Zurich Insurance for 15 years.  He owned the Popeye’s Chicken & Biscuits restaurant in Woodstock for 10 years.  He enjoyed snowmobiling, boating, fishing, cooking and playing with his grandchildren.   Survivors include his wife, Sue Bowman; his children, Cristy (Steve) Karaba, Mark (Barbara) Bowman, Gregory (Jean) Bowman and Scott (Kristie) Bowman; eight

Shirley Helen Rasmussen Heisler, 88, Woodstock, died Saturday, Dec. 21, 2013, at Hearthstone Manor. She was born March 5, 1925, in Waukegan to Carl and Lucille (Barkoske) Rasmussen.  On Aug. 19, 1950, she married Richard G. Heisler in Woodstock.  She lived in Waukegan for the first few years of her life, then lived in Libertyville until 1940. Her family moved to Crystal Lake. She graduated from Crystal Lake High School in 1943 and went on to Northern Illinois State Teachers College and earned a degree in teaching physical education. She worked for a year at McDonnell Douglas Aircraft and became a “Rosie the Riveter,” working on airplanes during the war. Her first job as a physical education teacher was at