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Obituaries

Gloria “Jean” Brown

Gloria “Jean” Brown, 68, Allen, Texas, formerly of Woodstock, died Thursday, Dec. 13, 2012. She was born May 1, 1944, in Bloomington to John and Arlene Naas. She married Bill Brown on May 27, 1960. She and her husband raised their family in Woodstock and moved to Allen in 1999 to be closer to their grandchildren. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother who loved to read, was a stranger to no one and was her family’s greatest cheerleader. Her strength of character, courage and heart was shown throughout her eight-year battle with scleroderma. Her body was donated to the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center to be used in research for the cure of scleroderma. Survivors include two

William G. Popp

William G. Popp, 76, Woodstock, died Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2012, at home. He was born Aug. 5, 1936, in Black River Falls, Wis., to Herbert Henry and Vandalia Elizabeth (Kobriger) Popp.  On Aug. 25, 1962, he married Clarice Faye Ritzman in Port Washington, Wis. He graduated from Black River Falls High School in 1955 and then served in the U.S. Army, the National Guard and the U.S. Navy. He was honorably discharged in 1966 and received a certificate of recognition for service during the Cold War.  He was sole proprietor of the Sherlock Pipe Shop in Elmhurst and a member of Knights of Columbus and St. Mary Catholic Church, Woodstock. Survivors include two daughters, Karen (Tim) Mills, Carol Stream, and

Dakota Jones

Dakota “Cody” Jones, 17, died unexpectedly Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2012.  He was born June 6, 1995, in Rockford.  He was a junior at Woodstock North High School.  He enjoyed playing guitar and bowling on his high school team and for many years on the youth league at Edgetown Bowl. He liked writing and sports, especially the Chicago Cubs, and aspired to be a sportswriter. He loved music, playing video games and, above all, his family.  Survivors include his parents, Jody and Brian Wega; a brother, Cooper Wega; maternal grandmother, Diana Jones; paternal grandparents, Marylee and Frank Wega; great-grandmother, Ruth Dailey; his Aunt Erika and Uncle Scott Wega; a cousin, Rylan Wega; a great-uncle, Tom Frade; and many friends and extended

Shirley M. Dhom

Shirley M. Dhom, 90, Woodstock, died Thursday, Dec. 13, 2012, at Valley Hi Nursing Home, Woodstock.  She was born Sept. 5, 1922, in Woodstock to Herman and Margaret (Bauer) Salzman. On Nov. 8, 1947, she married Lawrence C. Dhom in Woodstock. She was a lifelong member of St. Mary Catholic Church, Woodstock, and was a graduate of St. Mary High School. She was very active in the church, participating as a member of the Mariola Club and the church choir. She had been employed as a secretary with Woodstock School District 200 for many years until her retirement.  After retirement, she volunteered her time with Hospice of Northeastern Illinois. Survivors include her husband; a son, David C. (Maribeth) Dhom, Woodstock;

Arthur Albert Marske

Arthur Albert Marske, 86, Cape Carteret, N.C., died Dec. 9, 2012, at Carteret General Hospital. He was born Feb. 12, 1926, in Chicago. On April 22, 1950, he married Dorothy Remus at Grace Lutheran Church, Woodstock. The wedding was officiated by the Rev. Roger Kaufman, who also had married Dorothy’s parents, William and Signe (Peterson) Remus. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was awarded the Bronze Star for his service in Okinawa and the Purple Heart. Survivors include his wife; a son, Robert A. Marske, Fairfax Station, Va.; a daughter, Susan M. Dudley, Winterville, N.C.; a sister, Elsie Madsen, DeKalb; four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Memorial services will be held Dec. 22 at Swansboro United

Rosalia Kassal

Rosalia “Rosi” Kassal, 95, Woodstock, died Saturday, Dec. 8, 2012, surrounded by her family at the Hospice & Palliative Care of Northeastern Illinois Inpatient Unit at Centegra Specialty Hospital – Woodstock. She was born Feb. 21, 1917, in Yugoslavia to Adam and Magdalena (Vachta) Reitter. She was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church, Woodstock, and enjoyed gardening, sewing and cooking for her family. Survivors include two sons, Adam (Elizabeth) Kassal, Jackson, Mo., and John Kassal, Woodstock; a daughter, Magdalena (Martin) Korving, Woodstock; eight grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and nine great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, Adam Reif; her second husband, Josef Kassal; and a granddaughter, Ingrid. Visitation was Dec. 11 at Schneider-Leucht-Merwin & Cooney

Leoma C. Clark

Leoma C. Clark, 93, Greenwood, Mo., formerly of Noble, died Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012, at her home in Greenwood. She was born Dec. 10, 1918, at her parent’s farm in Noble. She was an elementary school teacher for more than 38 years, primarily teaching in Woodstock. Survivors include a sister, Annabell (Clark) Britz, Greenwood; 11 nieces and nephews; and many great- and great-great-nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Lee and Bill Clark; a brother-in-law, Norman Britz; and three sisters-in-law, Hazel, Dee and Dolores Clark. Visitation was Dec. 11 at Summers-Kistler Funeral Home, Olney. The Rev. Dennis Kennan and the Rev. Alijah McCormick officiated. Burial was at Shields Cemetery, Noble. Online condolences can be

David Wilbur Manke

David Wilbur Manke, 57, Hebron, died Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2012, at Hospice & Palliative Care of Northeastern Illinois Inpatient Unit at Centegra Specialty Hospital – Woodstock. He was born July 6, 1955, in Woodstock to Wilbur and Loretta (Lenzen) Manke. On May 15, 1976, he married Denise L. Gibbs in Woodstock. He worked in construction and was a member of the Labor Union Local 1035 for 28 years.  He also worked as a farmer for more than 50 years. He liked auctions and flea markets and enjoyed restoring tractors and going to tractor shows. He loved his flower gardens and woodworking. Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Kelly and Karin Manke; seven siblings, Darlene, Delores, Terry, Wendy (Gary), Raymond (Carole),

Robert Henry Wohnrade

Robert Henry “Bob” Wohnrade, 77, Bull Valley, died Friday, Nov. 30, 2012, at Hospice & Palliative Care of Northeastern Illinois Inpatient Unit at Centegra Specialty Hospital – Woodstock, with his family by his side after a courageous eight-year battle with Lewy body dementia. He was born April 12, 1935, in Chicago to Harold and Vera (Kline) Wohnrade. On Aug. 24, 1957, he married Ruth Schaefer at St. Patrick Catholic Church. His family moved to Wonder Lake when he was in the fourth grade. He attended Harrison School and was a 1953 graduate of McHenry Community High School and a 1957 graduate of Valparaiso University School of Engineering with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering.  He was a licensed engineer in

Rosalie Romano

Rosalie “Randy” Romano, 81, Wonder Lake, died Friday, Nov. 30, 2012, at her home surrounded by her loving family.  She was born Sept. 19, 1931, in Chicago to Stanley and Louise “Ludwika” Marzek. On Aug. 11, 1951, she married Daniel Joseph Romano in Chicago. Formerly of Chicago, she worked for Brach’s Candy Co. in Chicago and also received CNA training. After moving to Wonder Lake in 1975, she focused on her family and was a homemaker.  She enjoyed playing bingo, taking car trips with her husband and, in later years, taking bus trips with other seniors. Their favorite destinations were casinos. She was a longtime member of First United Methodist Church, McHenry. She was a passionate supporter for more than

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Larry Lough

Larry Lough

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

Janet Dovidio

Janet Dovidio

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

Susan W. Murray

Susan W. Murray

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

Tricia Carzoli

Tricia Carzoli

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

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