Trust the Torch!

Obituaries

Alfred Cookman Drummond Jr.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Gladys R. Liedberg

Gladys R. Liedberg, 85, Woodstock, died Oct. 31, 2013, at her home, surrounded by her family.
 She was born March 6, 1928, in West Chicago, to Henry and Ida (Thies) Richert.  On July 21, 1945 she married Norman W. Liedberg in Elgin.
 She was a member of Grace Lutheran Church, Woodstock. She and her husband were inseparable and could be found every Saturday night on the dance floor together. They raised their family on the farm and lived and worked there for 68 years. She also enjoyed regular card games with her friends and family. 
 Survivors include three children, Marcia A. (Tony) Starcevic, Linda L. (Pete) Parker and Gary W. (Kim) Liedberg; grandchildren, Rene’ (Ron) Mosback, Anthony (Karen) Starcevic,

Bruce R. Shisler

Bruce R. Shisler, 90, died Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2013, at Valley Hi Nursing Home, surrounded by his loving family. He was born Jan. 25, 1923, in Caledonia, Mich., to Wayne and Frances (Youngblood) Shisler.  On July 7, 1946, he married Jeannette M. Ruehling in East Chicago, Ind. He served in the U.S. Marines during World War II, starting his military service in radar training and eventually becoming a supply master. He was a lifetime member of Woodstock VFW Post 5040 and the American Legion. He worked at the former Borden Dairy plant, and later Dean Foods until his retirement in 1990. He was an avid Woodstock Blue Streaks fan and he always encouraged his children and grandchildren to do their

Joan M. Price

Joan M. Price, 77, Woodstock, died Sept. 23, 2013, at Midwest Palliative and Hospice Care Center, Glenview.

Upcoming Events

Top Writers

Picture of Larry Lough

Larry Lough

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

Picture of Janet Dovidio

Janet Dovidio

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

Picture of Susan W. Murray

Susan W. Murray

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

Picture of Tricia Carzoli

Tricia Carzoli

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

Keep Exploring

Thank you for believing in us Subscribe or Login to continue reading this quality article by The Woodstock Independent …
By Steve Peterson news@thewoodstockindependent.com The Marian Central boys tennis doubles team of sophomore Alek Jasovic and senior Marc Cheng sought …
By Steve Peterson news@thewoodstockindependent.com The magic of the 2026 Woodstock North softball team earned another chapter in a memorable season. T…

Subscriber Access

Login