Jerry L. Ray, 75, Woodstock, died Saturday, Sept. 21, 2013, at Centegra Hospital – McHenry, surrounded by his loving family. He was born June 23, 1938, in Ripley Tenn., to Charles Lackey and Lillie Pearl (Walden) Ray.   On Dec. 21, 1958, he married Nina R. McLemore in Ripley. He worked at Brake Parts for more than 35 years. He loved the outdoors, especially when he was going fishing with his children, his grandchildren or his buddies. He also enjoyed gardening.  He was an active member of the Woodstock Moose Lodge and was a devoted Chicago Bears and Cubs fan. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and son.  Survivors include his wife;  a son, Michael (Barbie “Gale”) Ray,

Tyler B. Young, 28, Marengo, formerly of Woodstock, died Thursday, Sept. 19, 2013, as a result of an automobile accident. He was born Feb. 22, 1985, in Woodstock to Garth and Donna (DeDina) Young.   On Sept. 22, 2012, he married Erin M. Cooney in Woodstock. He was employed with Specialty Cleaning & Restoration and focused on home repair and restoration.  He was an avid racing fan and participated in numerous demolition derbies at the county fair.   He was a member of the EOD and the LMDC. Survivors include his wife; his father; his mother and stepfather, Donna and Ken Fosterud; a brother, Carl F. Young and friend Marci; two sisters, Brandi L. Young and Rhiannon “M.C.” Young; maternal

Myrtle Beresh, 96, died Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2013, at her home in Delavan, Wis.  She was born in Illinois to Gustaf and Anna Katherine (Madsen) Persson. On Aug. 21, 1953, she married Alexander L. Beresh.  She was member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Delavan, and a longtime waitress at Jess’s Restaurant in Delavan. Survivors include a son, Donald (Sharon) Beresh, Cincinnati; a daughter, Betty (Dr. Robert) Riedner, Waukesha, Wis.; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; two sisters, Mildred (Bill) Luallen and Esther Wienke, both of Woodstock; nieces; nephews; in-laws; and many friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband in January 1990; a son, Lawrence; two brothers; a sister; and in-laws. The funeral was Sept. 14 at the Chapel at Roselawn

Peter J. Pusateri, 89, died Saturday Sept. 7, 2013, at Alden Terrace Nursing Home, McHenry. He was born April 12, 1924, in Chicago to Antonino and Mary (Mangione) Pusateri. He was a veteran, having served in the United States Army during World War II.  He also was a member of the American Legion. He enjoyed the simple things in life and was happiest when doing something kind for others. He never asked for anything in return. He will be remembered for his selflessness and generosity to everyone whose path he crossed, but he will be most remembered for being the best daddy in the world. Survivors include a daughter, Debbie (Dan) Carzoli; two sons, Tom Whaples and Rick Whaples; 10

Gerald R. Nitz, 69, Woodstock, died Sunday, Sept. 8, 2013. Originally from Anamoose, N.D., he lived in Indianapolis for many years and retired in Woodstock. He earned Bachelor of Science and  Master of Science degrees in agricultural economics from North Dakota State University and the University of Arizona, respectively. He had a successful career in sales and marketing at Eli Lilly and Co./Elanco. He was a supportive, loving father and grandfather who will be dearly missed. Survivors include two daughters, Carrie (Peter) Georgitsis and Laurie (Scott) Howard; a son, Robert Nitz; their mother, Jane K. Nitz; seven grandchildren, Katie, Mark and David Betancourt, Manos Georgitsis and Michael, Kathleen and Alexander Howard; a sister, Frances (Arthur) Prom, Harvey, N.D., and a

Robert J. Gerloff, 87, died Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2013, at his home in rural Woodstock, the same house where he was born, on the farm where he lived his whole life.  He was born July 14, 1926, to August and Helena (Stake) Gerloff. On May 24, 1952, he married Eleanor Lorraine Eckert at Grace Lutheran Church, Woodstock. He was a longtime member of Woodstock Progressive Milk Producers Association – a farmer-run co-operative – and served for many years on the board of directors.  Together, he and his wife raised five children and worked in the dairy business. In 1972, they sold their first registered bull for use in artificial insemination. The sale of registered dairy cattle from their small family

Matthew J. Wintersdorf, 63, Round Lake, formerly of Wonder Lake, died Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2013, at home. He was born July 27, 1950, in Chicago to Peter and Mary (Rutherford) Wintersdorf.  He moved to Round Lake in 2011. He was a chief operating engineer for LaSalle Partners and Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science. He was a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 399.  He enjoyed summers in Wisconsin at Lake Jordan, and he loved the outdoors. Every evening he had a bonfire. He was an avid Chicago Bears fan and enjoyed music by Celine Dion. His grandchildren were his world. Survivors include a son, Jason V. (fiancee Natalie) Wintersdorf; two daughters, Heather E. Wintersdorf and

Katherine E. Cardella, 95, Woodstock, formerly of Crystal Lake, died Sunday, Aug. 25, 2013, at Valley Hi Nursing Home, Woodstock.
She was born June 10, 1918, in Chicago to John and Elizabeth (Gerger) Krach.  On Aug. 24, 1940, she married Sam Cardella in Chicago. She worked for 15 years in the Crystal Lake High School cafeteria. She was known as the “Cookie Lady.”  She was not only known for her cookies but also as a great cook. She had a great sense of humor, and she could light up a room with her smile. Survivors include two sons, Sam (Carol) Cardella and John (Lizabeth) Cardella; a daughter-in-law, Georgia Cardella; five grandchildren, Nina Cardella, Rita (Omar) Bouzoubaa, Matthew (Kiyomi) Cardella, Phillip (Sherri)

Troy Edward Farkas, 43, Wonder Lake, died Friday, Aug. 30, 2013, at Centegra Hospital–McHenry.
He was born Nov. 18, 1969, in Harvey to Carl E. Avallon and Nancy Laux.  On July 8, 2004, he married Shannon Lawwill of Woodstock. He was an avid motorcycle enthusiast and boater. Most important to him were his family and friends. Survivors include his wife; parents, Nancy and Andy Farkas; two daughters, Krista and Alexandria, Round Lake; a son, Troy Farkas Jr., Round Lake; a grandchild, Peyton; five siblings, Kimberley (Dave) Schumacher, Crystal Lake, Toni (Mike) Ballstaedt, Crystal Lake, Lee Farkas, Crystal Lake, Brigitte Berryhill, Commerce Township, Mich., and Erin Avallon, Lake Forest; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.  He was preceded in

Mary Jane Shanahan-Koch, 79, Woodstock, died Sept. 7, 2013, at Centegra Hospital-Woodstock, surrounded by her daughters. She was born July 24, 1934, in Chicago to Daniel J. and Lorraine A. (LaVigne) Shanahan.  She was a devout Catholic and member of St. Mary Church in Woodstock.  She attended Trinity High School in River Forest.  She was employed as a receptionist for Dr. Leo Reyes for many years.   She loved politics and was a staunch Republican. She was passionate about her Cairn terriers, Mattie and Mitzi, but she received her greatest joy in life by spending time with her daughters, her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and extended family members. Survivors include six daughters, Sharon (Mark) Adams, Woodstock, Kathryn Olson, Woodstock, Brenda (Chris) Kaepplinger,