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Obituaries

William Pat Sonnenberg

William Pat Sonnenberg, 70, Woodstock, formerly of Lake in the Hills and California, died of lung cancer Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012, at Hospice & Palliative Care of Northeastern Illinois Inpatient Unit at Centegra Specialty Hospital – Woodstock. He was the only son of Irene Brown and was loved very much by his mother, wife, sister, children, grandchildren, relatives and friends. Cremation will be private. There will be no visitation.

Harold “Woody” Curtis Grashel

Harold “Woody” Curtis Grashel, 86, Woodstock, died Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012, at Crossroads Care Center, Woodstock. He was born July 7, 1926, in Dundee, to Harold C. and Eva (Ratzlaff) Grashel. He served in the United States military during World War II, worked at Butcher Boy in Harvard for several years and was a member of the Harvard American Legion. He loved photography and was an avid Chicago sports fan. Survivors include four nephews, Jeffrey Grashel, Bradley Grashel and Rodney Grashel, all of Harvard, and Donald (Stacy) Grashel, Summerville, S.C.; three nieces, Gloria (Dale) Wuttke, Elkhorn, Wis., Julia Kirby, Indiana, and Kimberly (Eric) Olson, Elkhorn; 12 grand-nieces and -nephews; and three great-nieces and -nephews. He was preceded in death by

Louise F. Bauer

Louise F. Bauer, 91, formerly of Havre, Mont., died Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2012, at Hearthstone Manor in Woodstock, of natural causes. She was born June 4, 1921, on a homestead north of Havre, to Theodore and Frances (Vollmer) Pruys. In 1950, she married George Bauer in Havre.  She attended school in Cottonwood and Havre, graduated from Havre High School and earned a teaching certificate at Northern Montana College.  She taught in several country schools, including Tiger Butte, Nashua, Whitefish, and the Devlin School in Havre. She was a great mother, devoted her time to her family and always will be remembered for her bread and pies. She cared for her mother when she was stricken with cancer, her father when

Irene M. Steinwehe

Irene M. Steinwehe, 85, Woodstock, died Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012, at Centegra Medical Center – Woodstock. She was born Aug. 8, 1927, in Garden Valley, Wis., to Melvin and Ruby (Hermanson) Olson.  She married Albert F. Steinwehe Jr. and was an active member of Grace Lutheran Church, Woodstock. She loved crocheting and made numerous hats, scarves and gloves that she gave to the church.  She worked in the McHenry County Treasurer’s Office for more than 30 years. Her greatest enjoyment was taking care of her husband, children and grandchildren. Surivors include her husband,Woodstock; a daughter, Diane (Michael) Marks, Wonder Lake; five grandchildren, Cortney (Chad) Westbrook, Ashley Whiting, Trace Marks, Randy (Melissa) Whiting Jr., Castidie (Tim) Creighton; a great-grandchild, Blake Westbrook;

Max M. Liptrot

Max M. Liptrot, 19, Woodstock, died unexpectedly from heart complications Saturday, Dec. 29, 2012. He was born March 21, 1993, in Bradenton, Fla., to Douglas Liptrot and Amy (Marotta) Bodner.  He lived in Woodstock since his toddler years and graduated from Woodstock North High School in 2011. He was an excellent student, was a staff reporter for the Northern Lights newspaper and was elected by his fellow students to give the commencement speech at graduation. He was a journalism student at McHenry County College where he worked as a writer and editor for the Tartan newspaper. He had a passion for the arts, especially music, and enjoyed playing guitar, writing lyrics, scores and poetry. He also was an avid follower

Memorial: Sue Palmore

Sue Palmore, 73, passed away at home Nov. 1, 2012 after a lengthy battle with pancreatic cancer. She was a longtime Woodstock School District 200 board member. A celebration of life memorial will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 5, in the Woodstock North High School auditorium, 3000 Raffel Road. All are welcome to attend.

Rita M. Rich

Rita M. Rich, 70, McHenry, died Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2012, at Froedert Hospital in Milwaukee. She was born Jan. 28, 1942, in Chicago to Lewis and Gladys L. (Dominique) Higgins. A longtime resident of Wonder Lake, she lived in South Carolina for a time before returning to the McHenry area in 2003. She was employed by Claussen Pickle Co. for more than 25 years prior to retirement. She was a member of The Church of Holy Apostles and previously a member of Christ the King Catholic Church. She enjoyed singing in the church choir and was devoted to her faith. A doting grandmother, she was giving of her time to friends and neighbors. Survivors include two children, Sheryl Rich, McHenry,

James W. Pitman

James W. Pitman, 87, Woodstock, died peacefully Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012, in Woodstock.  He was born in Rutland, Vt., to the late Ernest and Madeline (Johnson) Pitman.  He was a proud veteran of the United States Navy, serving in the Pacific during World War II.  He is survived by his daughter, Candace (Michael) Podhorn; two granddaughters, Catherine (Ted) Smith and Carolyn (Brad) Buecher; four great-grandchildren, Ian James, Amanda Smith, Payton Buecher and Carter Buecher; and a brother, Edward Pitman. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Irene (Sieczkowski); and two brothers, Robert Pitman and Gerald Pitman.  The memorial service was private.  Arrangements were by the Cremation Society of Illinois. For information, call 815-444-0740.

Kevin C. Krone

Kevin C. Krone, 53, North Aurora, died Friday, Dec. 14, 2012.  He was born June 28, 1959, in Woodstock.  He graduated from Marian Central Catholic High School and earned a bachelor’s degree from Regis College in Denver. He will be remembered for his photographic artistry, his loyalty to the Chicago Cubs and Blackhawks and his amazing bad joke-telling ability. His boundless energy, quick wit and devotion to family and friends will be missed. He is survived by his father, James V. Krone; sister, Elizabeth “Lee Ann” Krone; brothers Robert L. Krone, Bryan J. Krone and John T. Krone; eight nieces and nephews; and his partner, Jane. He was preceded in death by his sister, Loretta T. Krone, and mother, Mary

Barbara A. Barthuly

Barbara A. Barthuly, 69, Wonder Lake, died Dec. 25, 2012, at Centegra Hospital-Woodstock. She was born May 2, 1943, in Chicago to Joseph and Olive (Wickstrom) Duchaj. On Feb. 8, 1964, she married her husband, Richard Barthuly, in Chicago. They moved to Wonder Lake, where they raised their two daughters.  She and her husband owned and operated H&R Block offices in Woodstock, Crystal Lake, Algonquin, Lake in the Hills and Huntley for 30 years. She loved gardening, dancing, the Chicago Bears and watching her grandchildren play sports.  Survivors include her husband; her daughters, Candace (Tom) Gscheidle and Rebecca (Dan) Khollman; five grandchildren, Eric, Danny, Mikey, Lizzy and Isabel; her brother, Robert (Betty) Duchaj; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews and

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Larry Lough

Larry Lough

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

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Janet Dovidio

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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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