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Obituaries

Gilbert Warren Nienow

Gilbert Warren Nienow, 90, Woodstock, died Thursday, Nov. 22, 2012, at his home in Woodstock, with his wife of 64 years at his side. He was born May 26, 1922, in Milwaukee, Wis., to Albert C. and Viola (Peuser) Nienow. On Sept. 5, 1948, he married Venus Woody in Pleasant Hill, Mo. He entered the U.S. Army in October 1942 and served in France, Germany and England. He was honorably discharged in March 1946. He met his future wife at an Army dance at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. After their marriage, they lived in Barrington until moving to Woodstock in 1953. He enjoyed gardening, archery, golf, square dancing and photography. He was proud to have worked in Boy Scouts with

Thomas David Cashin Jr.

Thomas David Cashin Jr., 51, Wonder Lake, died Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012, after a long and courageous battle with cancer at the Hospice & Palliative Care of Northeastern Illinois Inpatient Unit at Centegra Specialty Hospital-Woodstock. He was born May 22, 1961, in Woodstock to Tom and Joyce Cashin. Survivors include his parents, Wonder Lake; two brothers, Richard (Kelly) Cashin and Gregory (Jennifer) Cashin; a nephew, Ricky Cashin; three nieces, Madelyn Cashin, Allyson Cashin and Kelsey Cashin; and aunts, uncles, cousins and many friends. Due to his wishes, there were no services, and he requested everyone remember him as they knew him in life. Arrangements were made by Colonial Funeral Home, McHenry The family would like to thank Darin and Bob

Eileen L. White

Eileen L. White, 66, Woodstock, died Monday, Nov. 19, 2012, at her home.   She was born Nov. 19, 1946, in Chicago to Roy and Lauretta (Larson) Homo.  On March 26, 1966, she married James White at the First United Methodist Church in McHenry. She graduated from McHenry High School in 1964. She was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Woodstock, the McHenry American Legion Post 491 Auxiliary, Viscounts Drum and Bugle Corps,  and the Kishwaukee Valley Garden Club. She owned Hen House Crafts, was active with the Small Drum Corps Association and had marched in the color guard of the Royal Airs Drum and Bugle Corps. She loved time with her family and was her husband’s fishing buddy.

Loretta J. Jelen

Loretta J. (Chasen) Jelen, 86, died Saturday, Nov. 17, 2012, in Woodstock. She was born Sept. 17, 1926, in Chicago. Survivors include two sons, Thomas (Louise) Jelen and Jerome (Beverly) Jelen; a daughter, Carol (Scott) Beers; three grandchildren, Ryan, Jessica and Jackie; and a brother, Walter Chasen. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph; a sister, Violet Handzel; and her parents. Visitation and Mass of Christian Burial were Nov. 23 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, Crystal Lake. Interment was private. Arrangements were made by Davenport Family Funeral Home, Crystal Lake. Condolences can be sent to www.davenportfamily.com.

Rita J. Fisher

Rita J. Fisher, 61, Woodstock, died Friday, Nov. 16, 2012, at her brother’s home.  She was born March 13, 1951, in Harvard to Harold E. and Bertha A. (Erckfritz) Fisher. She had been employed as a surgical tech.  Survivors include a brother, Robert (Cathy) Fisher, Harvard; three nephews, Robert Jr., Ryan and Tim Fisher; and a niece, Ashleigh Fisher all of Harvard; and a dear friend, Jill Fox, Wonder Lake. She was preceded in death by her parents.  Visitation and service were private. Arrangements were made by Justen Funeral Home & Crematory, McHenry. Online condolences can be sent at www.justenfh.com.

Pedro P. Sanchez

Pedro P. Sanchez, 75, Woodstock, died Sunday, Nov. 18, 2012, at his home, surrounded by his family. He was born Nov. 28, 1936, in Villa Juarez, San Luis Potosi, Mexico, to Pedro and Higinia (Perez) Sanchez. He worked for H. & E. Sod Nursery for 37 years and also had been employed as a mechanic, working on diesel truck engines. He was an avid hunter and enjoyed gardening and spending time with his family. Survivors include his wife, Eliveria Monsivais; a daughter, Yesenia Sanchez Carreno, Woodstock; three grandchildren, Andres Giovanni Carreno, Ivan Carreno and Aimee Monique Carreno; and five sisters. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister. Visitation was Nov. 23 at Schneider-Leucht-Merwin & Cooney Funeral

Esther Rae Velmont

Esther Rae “Boots” Velmont, 68, Harvard, died Friday, Nov. 16, 2012, at the Hospice of Northeastern Illinois Inpatient Care Unit in Woodstock. She was born May 21, 1944, in Chicago to Bill and Mary Roemer.  She was an owner of T&E Cleaning Service as well as Tom’s Small Engine Repair in Hebron. She loved children and enjoyed helping people in need. She also enjoyed gardening and doing puzzles. She will by greatly missed my her loving family and many friends. Survivors include her loving husband of 39 years, Tom Velmont; eight children, Jeffery Velmont, Mike (Michel) Velmont, David (Sarah) Velmont, Richard (Cindy) Torkelson, Less (Roxy) Rosing, Lee (Sue) Rosing, Carmon Parrelli and Tony (Jennie) Marotta; 17 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; 126 foster

Nancy L. Sass

Nancy L. Sass, 78, Marengo, died Sunday, Nov. 11, 2012, at The Springs at Crystal Lake, surrounded by her family.  She was born March 2, 1934, in Elgin to John and Stella (Frisbee) Dall.  On Oct. 15, 1955, she married Edward F. Sass in Norridge Park. She was a member of the Woodstock Assembly of God Church and also attended The Rock Assembly of God Church.  She loved and supported many ministries throughout her life and was a prayer leader for the Women’s Aglow. She loved cooking and baking as well as gardening. She enjoyed taking care of her husband and their children and grandchildren. She was very involved with her husband’s work in the local farming community and enjoyed

Gloria M. Bretzmann

Gloria M. Bretzmann,79, Huntley, died Nov. 17, 2012, at Hospice of Northeastern Illinois in Barrington. She was born March 8, 1933, in Milwaukee to Ernst and Agnes (Dobretzberger) Jahn. On Jan. 30, 1954, she married John R. Bretzmann. She was a member of the P.E.O. Chapter in Woodstock, which sponsors education for women, and participated  in P.E.O. activities in Huntley. She worked at Centegra Hospital in Woodstock for more than 10 years. She and her husband owned two newspapers in California: the Dunsmuir News and the South Siskiyou News. Survivors include two sons, Mark Bretzmann, Rockford, and Jay (Robin) Bretzmann of Chapel Hill, N.C; a daughter, Ellen (Frederick) Crawley, Crystal Lake; five grandchildren, Margot, Renee, Alison, Thomas and Peter; a

Elizabeth Babcock

Elizabeth Babcock (Burlingham), 94, died Friday, Nov. 16, 2012, at her home in Bull Valley. She was born April 29, 1918. She grew up on Chicago’s north shore and attended New Trier High School. She graduated from Vassar College in 1940 with a bachelor of arts in theater. She worked for a short time in advertising in New York before returning to Chicago where  she worked writing scripts for radio plays for WLS. She married Richard Babcock in 1943 and moved with her family to Bull Valley in 1949. She owned property called Spring Hollow, which her father had purchased during the Great Depression. Her family owned a menagerie of animals, and in 1977 she and her husband granted a conservation easement

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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

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

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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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