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, 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 “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, 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,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 (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

Martha L. Meyer, 67, Wonder Lake, died Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012, at Inpatient Hospice Unit of Centegra Specialty Hospital – Woodstock. She was born Jan. 31, 1945, in Nason to James and Jennie (McGovern) Page.  On Oct. 6, 1963, she married Philip P. Meyer. She was a homemaker for most of her life and enjoyed her role as a loving wife and mother. She was a proud and doting grandmother and great-grandmother.  Her interests included gardening, tending to her flowers and listening to the sounds of wind chimes. She will be remembered as always willing to help anyone at any time. Survivors include her husband; two sons, James K. (Teresa) Meyer, Woodstock and Philip W. Meyer, Wonder Lake; five grandchildren,

Irene L. Mertel (Klestinec), 89, Woodstock, died Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012, at Valley Hi Nursing Home, Woodstock. She was born March 30, 1923, in Berwyn to Vitus and Katherine Klestinec. Survivors include a son, Steven (Betty) Mertel, Crystal Lake; three grandchildren, Steve (Kelly) and Michael Mertel and Amy (Patrick) Finnerty; and five great-grandchildren, Grace, Anna and Ryan Mertel and Maggie and Patrick Finnerty. She was preceded in death by her husband, Steve, and a daughter, Carol Kasko. The memorial service was private. Arrangements were made by Davenport Family Funeral Home. Online condolences can be sent to www.davenportfamily.com.

Hidegarde Nawalaniec, 89, Palatine, formerly of Coloma, Wis., died Thursday, Nov. 8, 2012, at HCR Manor Care, Rolling Meadows. She was born Jan. 20, 1923, in Edgar, Wis., to Earnest and Frieda (Ehmke) Schmidt.  She worked at the Woodstock Die Cast Company for many years.  She was a member of the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Coloma, where she lived for many years in her cottage by the lake.  She enjoyed baking cakes and making pottery, but most of all, she enjoyed spending time with her loving family. Survivors include three sons, Otis Setser Jr., Rick Setser and Bruce (Lynett) Setser; a daughter, Cheryl Setser; a stepdaughter, Georgia (Phil) Freese; a stepson, Randy (Sue) Nawalaniec; and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and

John P. Mockenhaupt, 71, Crystal Lake, died Nov. 3, 2012, at Centegra Hospital – Woodstock. He was born June 28, 1941, in Chicago to Jerome and Anne Mockenhaupt. A Vietnam veteran, he spent most of his life giving to and taking care of others. In retirement, he was responsible for the planning and maintenance of the beautiful landscaping at the Four Colonies condominiums, where he also served on the board for several years. Known fondly by so many as Uncle John or John Mock, he forever will be remembered for the unconditional love he shared with his family and friends.  Survivors include two sisters, Lynn (Bill) Gronow and Mary (Brian) Daly; two nephews, Christopher Gronow and Gregory Daly; five nieces,