Mary Lou Jensen, 83, Woodstock, died Friday, Oct. 18, 2013, at her home in Woodstock. She was born June 6, 1930, in Richmond Township to Howard and Vera Frances (Bumsted) Vogel.  On Sept. 10, 1949, she married Vernon Jensen at Greenwood Methodist Church. She was born and raised on a farm in Richmond Township and as a child she was active in 4H. She graduated from Richmond High School in 1947.  After marriage, she moved to the Woodstock area and joined the First United Methodist Church, where she and her husband were members for more than 60 years.  She was active in the women’s group at the church and taught Sunday school. She worked with her husband at Jensen Plumbing

Bruce E. Steinke, 96, Woodstock, died Oct. 9, 2013, at JourneyCare Hospice Inpatient Unit, Woodstock. He was born Sept. 8, 1917, in Woodstock to Herman and Louise (Higel) Steinke.  An avid amateur short-wave radio operator, he received his first operator license at the age of 14. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. On June 7, 1942, he married Evelyn Fincannon in Pawhuska, Oklahoma. He worked for the U.S. Post Office in Woodstock for 37 years, retiring in 1975 as assistant postmaster. He was a lifelong member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, where he served as a Sunday school teacher, head usher and on the finance committee. He served on the former District 72 School Board for

Dennis P. Lannert, 73, Lake Geneva, Wis., died Oct. 16, 2013, at the JourneyCare Hospice Inpatient Care Unit, Barrington. He was born Oct. 14, 1940, in Pekin to Frederick and Helen (Schreiber) Lannert. On Dec. 28, 1963, he married Tobey Emery. He graduated from Lake Forest College in 1962. Survivors include his wife; two sons, Jeff (Julie) Lannert and Frederick (Holly) Lannert; a daughter, Jennifer (David) Widger; eight grandchildren; and a sister, Carol (Gordon) Duprey. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Donald Lannert. Visitation was Oct. 18 at Schneider-Leucht-Merwin & Cooney Funeral Home, Woodstock.   A gathering for family and friends was Oct. 19 at the funeral home, followed by burial at Calvary Cemetery, Woodstock.

Caroline H. Musser, 92, San Diego, formerly of Woodstock, died Friday, Sept. 13, 2013, in San Diego. She was born Aug. 2, 1921, in Woodstock to John and Elizabeth (Schiller) Musser.  She graduated from Woodstock Community High School and always referred to Woodstock as “Woodstock the Wonderful.” She joined the U.S. Naval Reserve (Women’s Reserve), commonly known as WAVES, during World War II. She served the nation during the war.   When the war ended, she moved to Los Angeles, where she had a long career as an escrow officer in the banking industry. Upon retirement, she moved to Portola Country Club in Palm Desert, Calif. She enjoyed many years of retirement, living as an avid golfer, swimmer and gardener,

Janice K. Bielski, 64, Woodstock, died Thursday, Oct. 3, 2013, at home. She was born Dec. 8, 1948, in Woodstock to Lyle and Dora (Henning) Widmayer. On March 29, 1969, she married Raymond J. Bielski Jr. in Woodstock. She was a loving mother, grandmother and mother-in-law, who dedicated her life to spending as much time with her family as she could. Survivors include two sons, Scott (Kathi Krueger) Bielski and Craig (Sherri) Bielski; four grandchildren, Tyler, Austin, Reiss and Brianna Bielski; a brother, Arvid (Ingrid) Widmayer; and her dearest friends, Sue Koeser and Peggy Dhom. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and dear friend, Larry Dhom Jr. Visitation and the funeral were Oct. 7 at Schneider-Leucht-Merwin

Matthew John Porter, 39, Woodstock, died unexpectedly Thursday, Oct. 10, 2013, at his home in Woodstock. He was born Dec. 15, 1973, in Champaign-Urbana. He worked at Centegra Hospital – Woodstock in the material services department.   He was attending Judson College where he was one course away from his bachelor’s degree in counseling.  He was a member of the Woodstock Assembly of God Church where he served as a youth pastor for several years. He enjoyed participating in several prison ministry programs.  He also was an active speaker with several Alcoholics Anonymous groups.  He was an avid reader and deep intellectual and scholar.  But, most of all, he was a great father to his girls, and they were the

Mary D. Kiefer, 83, Woodstock, died Friday, Oct. 4, 2013, at Centegra Hospital-Woodstock, surrounded by her loving family. She was born  Nov. 7, 1929, in Woodstock to Walter and Vera (Hughes) Fehrman.   On June 25, 1950, she married George A. Kiefer.   She worked as a secretary at Dean Street Elementary School for many years.  She was a member of the Woodstock Moose Lodge and always enjoyed staying active and participating in many events.   She also enjoyed traveling, especially to Hawaii, and in her more recent years she took a cross-country train trip to Oregon. Watching soap operas was another favorite pastime.  But, most of all, she enjoyed spending time with her loving family, especially her grandchildren and

Kenneth Urquhart, 72, Wonder Lake, died Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013, at JourneyCare Hospice Inpatient Unit, Woodstock. He was born Nov. 9, 1941, in Belvidere to Alex and Dorothy (Mortensen) Urquhart. On June 27, 1964, he married Judy ChaJha. Survivors include his wife; two sons, Jason and Tim Urquhart; three grandchildren, Jade, Lyndsey and Landon Urquhart; and a sister, Bonnie Frider. A memorial gathering at 10 a.m. and the funeral Mass  at 11 a.m. will be held Wednesday, Oct. 9, at St. Mary Catholic Church, 312 Lincoln Ave. Interment will be private. Arrangements were made by Schneider-Leucht-Merwin & Cooney Funeral Home, Woodstock. Memorials can be sent to JourneyCare Foundation, 405 Lake Zurich Road, Barrington, IL 60010.

  Almina M. Schreck, 100, Roseville, Calif., formerly of Woodstock, died Thursday, Sept. 12, 2013, from pneumonia. She was born June 2, 1913, in Coalinga to Charles and Denise Sennett. She attended Woodstock High School and married William Schreck in 1930. They lived in Woodstock for more than 50 years. She worked at Auto Lite during World War II. She worked as a waitress for more than 40 years, including as assistant manager for Shady Lane Farms restaurant, Marengo. She was a hard-working, friendly person who was loved by her family and had many friends. She moved to California in 1983 to take care of her seriously ill son, Bill. Survivors include a son, Jerry; two granddaughters, Krista Geoffrion, Lebanon,

Karl Schmelzer, 90, Crystal Lake, formerly of Woodstock, died Tuesday, June 25, 2013, at Crystal Pines Rehabilitation & Health Care Center in Crystal Lake. He was born July 31, 1923, to Karl and Gertrude Schmelzer. He married Nyda Hicks in 1947. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and opened a tool and die shop in Woodstock in the 1950s. Survivors include his wife, Shirley; and a son, Karl Bradford Schmelzer. He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, John Kent Schmelzer; and a grandfather, Karl Schmelzer.