Helen Louise Alison, 83, died Monday, Nov. 24, 2013, in Woodstock. She was born in Danville, to Leslie and Irma Carter. Survivors include her husband, Mark W. Alison;  a son, Stewart L. Alison (Katie Borntreger); a daughter, Celeste A. (Sean) Heather; grandchildren, J. Justin Alison and William S. Heather; and a sister, Catherine A. Carter.  A private service was held.  A celebration of her life is planned for Jan. 18, 2014.  Memorial gifts can be made to Rush University Medical Center for Parkinson’s Research, Rush University Medical Center, 1700 W. Van Buren, Suite 250, Chicago, IL 60612. 

Vera Mae Irion, 87, Woodstock, died peacefully Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2013. She was born in 1926. On Aug. 27, 1946, she married Raymond Irion. She and her husband owned and operated Ray Irion floor coverings in Woodstock. She enjoyed cooking and entertaining. Survivors include two daughters, Linda (Robert) Burdett, and Laura (Scott) Stoner; three grandchildren, William, Theodore (Sharon) and Caroline Burdett; and many nieces and nephews. Services and inurnment were private. Memorials can be made to Helping Paws, 2500 Harding Lane, Woodstock, IL; or visit www.helpingpaws.net.

Pedro Enriquez, 61, Woodstock, died Sunday, Nov. 17, 2013 at Centegra Hospital –Woodstock. He was born Feb. 14, 1952, in Colonia Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico, to Raul and Luz (Rodriguez) Enriquez.   He married Eluid Magana Feb. 14, 1987, in Chicago.  One of his favorite outings was his weekly Saturday breakfasts on the Square with his wife.  He enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren who were his pride and joy. He was their biggest fan.  He often spoke of his princess and his three sons with immense pride.  He was an avid reader, was eager to share his knowledge and enjoyed a good debate.  He was close to his parents and visited them daily for his morning coffee to

Alfred Cookman Drummond Jr., 103,  Walworth, Wis., died Sunday, Nov. 17, 2013, at his home. He was born Jan. 7, 1910, in Warren, Penn., to Alfred Cookman and Iva Gertrude (Parris) Drummond Sr. On June 19, 1937, he married Gladys P. Wolker in Mt. Carroll. He earned several post graduate degrees, and he worked as a teacher, administrator and counselor for many years. During the 1960s he was the assistant superintendent at Woodstock High School.  Survivors include a daughter, Mary Drummond Johansen; a son, Alfred Drummond III; three grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife in 1992. Memorial services will be held at a later date. Memorial donations can be made to Lakeland

Dennis James Collins, 59, Woodstock, died Saturday, Nov. 16, 2013 at his home. He was born Oct. 18, 1954, to Raymond and Betty Jean (Schueneman) Collins in Harvard. On Sept. 7, 2001, he married Mary Johnson in Elkhorn, Wis. As a teen, he was active in Boy Scouts and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. He worked as a welder, and most recently he was employed at Omni Products in McHenry. He enjoyed metalworking and woodworking as hobbies. Survivors include his wife; a son, Raymond; a daughter, Sarah; and a stepson, Christopher (Allison) Gunderson. A memorial gathering and service were held Nov. 23 at Schneider-Leucht-Merwin & Cooney Funeral Home, Woodstock. Burial was private. Memorials can be made to Helping Paws,

William (Bill) Lee Brown, 72, Allen, Texas, died Saturday, Nov. 16, 2013. He was born Oct. 23, 1941, to Harry and Dorothy Brown in Bloomington. On May 27, 1960, he married Jean Naas. They were married for 52 years. He was a teacher, coach, sports nut and long-time suffering Cubs fan. He was a devoted family man whose magnetic personality drew others to his family. Following his passion for baseball, he played for the Illinois State Teachers College Redbirds, earning a bachelors Degree in Education, and eventually earning a master’s degree from the University of Illinois. He began his teaching career at Tri Valley School District in Downs, Ill. and progressed to Woodstock School District 200 for 29 years, finishing

Jose Cruze Avila-Galvez, 40, died Friday, Nov. 15, 2013, at home surrounded by his loving family.   He was born March 15, 1973, in Mexico to Alberto and Maria (Cruze-Galvez) Avila. He graduated from Woodstock High School in 1994, and he graduated with honors from McHenry County College in 2002 with an associates degree.  He attended Lewis University, first receiving his bachelor’s degree in psychology, followed by his master’s degree in 2010.   He worked in the Hispanic/Latino community in the social services sector and enjoyed being a mentor in the community to adults as well as the children. He was also a member of The Church of Holy Apostles in McHenry and was close to his family and always

Robert R. “Bobby C” Connor, 63, died Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2013, at his home. He was born Jan. 27, 1950 in Wauwatosa, Wisc., to Delos and Hazel (Rine) Connor. On June 29, 1974, he married Judy Bartelt in Woodstock. “Bobby C” was a lifelong resident of Woodstock and a member of Grace Fellowship Church, Woodstock. He was a dedicated member of the Loyal Order of Moose, a Fellowship member and a retired member of the McHenry County Independent Riders. During his career, he was employed with Boltswitch Inc., Woodstock Ace Hardware and Eagle Foods in Woodstock. He enjoyed woodworking, watching football and basketball and the camaraderie of his close friends, especially when he entertained at home. He especially enjoyed watching

Larry Lang, 66, died Friday, Nov. 1, 2013, peacefully and quietly in his home along the Willamette River, Portland, Ore. He was born July 2, 1947, in Woodstock to Clarence and Hazel Lang. In 1986, he married Linda Rose Schmidt.  He was a much loved husband and father. He and his wife enjoyed an active retirement in Oregon.  Growing up in Woodstock, he attended Dean Street School and played high school football with the Woodstock Blue Streaks. After graduating from Rutgers University in New Jersey where he rowed crew, he resided and worked in Chicago. He was an avid Chicago sports fan – Cubs, Bears and Bulls. He was a founding member of East Bank Club, where he played weekly

Greg McCoy, 62, died Friday, Oct. 4, 2013, in Woodstock. He was born March 9, 1951, to Robert K. and Modelle (Medlar) McCoy.  In 1977, he married Tricia Burden in Woodstock. He was a lifelong resident of Woodstock. His family came to the area in the early 1850s. His great-grandfather started Medlar Photo Studios in Woodstock. He was a master craftsman and owned and operated the Greg McCoy Glass Studio where he created original stained glass architectural pieces and restored antique lampshades and windows. He was most proud to have restored the Tiffany Mermaid window in the Field Museum in Chicago. He also was associated with Rich’s Incredible Pyro as a special effects pyro technician for more than 16 years.