Louise Schmarje, 92, Hebron, died Saturday, May 18, 2013, at JourneyCare Hospice Inpatient Unit, Woodstock. She was born Aug. 30, 1920, in Burlington, Wis., to Gustav A. and Meta A. (Pallatz) Spitzbart. On April 11,1942, she married Robert Charles Schmarje.  She was a member of Nativity Lutheran Church, Wonder Lake, and worked, lived and raised her family on farms in Woodstock and Hebron. She loved gardening and enjoyed growing flowers.  Most of all, she loved being with her family, her children and especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was loved and will be missed.  Survivors include a son, Laverne Schmarje; three daughters, Linda (Richard) Wappler, Anita Schmarje and Diana Schaefer; six grandchildren, Kenneth, Dale, Scott, Heather, Lisa and Kelly; and

Frederic E. Rachford, 81, Woodstock, died Thursday, May 16, at Valley Hi Nursing Home, Woodstock. He was born June 12, 1931, in Chicago to George and Mary (Mulhern) Rachford. On July 5, 1952, he married Kathleen Hayes in Chicago. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1951 until 1955. He was pilot for United Airlines for 36 years until he retired in 1991. He was an avid White Sox fan and enjoyed playing baseball, softball, hockey and working out at the McHenry County College gym. Survivors include his wife; four sons, Tom (Julie) Rachford, Tim (Chris) Rachford, Marty (Jenn) Rachford and Michael (Gayle) Rachford; four daughters, Pegg (Gene) Stoddard, Kitty (Armond) Dinverno, Tricia Rachford and Lori (David) Wipf; 16

Sophia M. Hoeft, 95, Naperville, died Friday, May 3, 2013, at Centegra Hospital-Woodstock. She was born Nov. 25, 1917, in Monterey, Neb., to Herman and Josephine Kaup. On March 2, 1946, she married Walter Hoeft in Chicago. They moved to Naperville in 1949.  The youngest of 11 children, she attended St. Boniface Grade School and St. Angela’s Academy, Carroll, Iowa. She graduated from Creighton University, St. Joseph’s School of Nursing, in June 1939. She served the United States Public Health Department in multiple facilities around the country. She worked as a registered nurse in the nursery at St. Charles Hospital, Aurora, and later worked as an industrial nurse at the Nabisco Plant, also in Aurora. She was a longtime parishioner

Kelly VanReeth, 44, Woodstock, died Friday, May 3, 2013, from heart and lung complications.  Family and friends were at her bedside. She was born March 7, 1969, in Elk Grove Village.  She earned a culinary degree and, later, a business degree. She most recently worked at Abbott Labs and Sears Holdings. When medical conditions kept her from working full time, she became a certified life and business coach and worked from home.  She loved her work and was not the type of person who liked to sit still. Survivors include her husband, Phil “P.J.;” her mother, Alice Harriett; a sister, Tracy (Frank) Macino; nieces and nephews, Francesca and Anthony Macino, Joseph, Shannon and Kate VanReeth and Austin and Elizabeth Ordway.

Barry Leonard Rusche, 67, Portland, Texas, formerly of Woodstock, died May 5, 2013, with his family at his side. He was born June 24, 1946, in Chicago to Frank Rusche (June) and Roberta Bennett.  He graduated from Woodstock High School and proudly wore his letter jacket until the end.  He received an associates degree from St. Petersburg Junior College, Florida, in 1970 and went to work for State Farm Insurance. Eventually, he became agency manager. He was known as the “Famous Insurance Guy.” During his tenure at State Farm, he won numerous awards and was asked to develop and publish essential training materials. After spending many years with State Farm, he decided to become an independent insurance agent and sold

James Thomas Hum, 46, Wonder Lake, died Friday, May 3, 2013, at home. He was born Dec. 26, 1966, in Chicago to James William and Linda Lou (Murray) Hum. He was employed by Waste Management and enjoyed golf, softball, camping, motorcycles and his dog, Gage. He was an avid sports fan and followed the Chicago Bears, Cubs and Blackhawks. Survivors include his fiancé, Shelly Berg, Wonder Lake,  and a brother, Brian (Melissa) Hum, Pell Lake, Wis. He was preceded in death by his parents. Visitation was May 9 at Colonial Funeral Home, McHenry. Memorials can be sent to the American Cancer Society.

Michael R. Eby, 64, Woodstock, died Wednesday, May 8, at home. He was born July 21, 1949, in Elgin to Robert and Kit (Thompson) Eby. He grew up in Woodstock and was a graduate of Woodstock High School. He served in the U.S. Army from 1969 to 1971 and received a Bronze Star and Purple Heart for his service in Vietnam. He also served in the honor guard. He was employed with Eagle Foods for 33 years and was a longtime manager at the Woodstock location. He also worked for Woodstock High School for 12 years. He loved his family and his family loved him. He enjoyed fishing, good times, good friends; having fires in the backyard with his wife

Raymond “Racer Ray” Nelson Sr., 68, Woodstock, died Wednesday, May 8, with his family by his side, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born May 8, 1945, in Harvard to Raymond and Lena (John) Nelson. He grew up farming, lived in the country and attended Hebron High School. On April 24, 1964, he married Caroline Dorwaldt in Hebron. He  was a certified GM mechanic and worked at Ferris Bros. for many years before working at Motor Service Company, both in Harvard. He was a well-known engine builder. He enjoyed drag and stock car racing and restoring classic cars, including his prized 1957 Chevy. Most recently, he was the engine builder for the Roush Brothers championship race car at

Andrew W. Eisele, 50, Woodstock, died Wednesday, May 1, 2013, at Good Shepherd Hospital, Barrington. He was born March 23, 1963, in Chicago to Joseph and Sharon (Brady) Eisele. He graduated from Geneva High School in 1981 and from Eastern Illinois University in 1985. He earned a master’s degree from Olivet Nazarene University. He taught middle school in Prairie Grove until his retirement and had a passion for science. He was an animal lover, enjoyed gardening and loved cooking. Survivors include a daughter, Mia Eisele; a son, Grant Eisele; their mother, Kelly; his parents; a brother, Dennis (Lisa) Eisele; two sisters, Lynn (Randy) Tipps and Vicki Schmid; nieces and nephews, Alexander and Samuel Eisele, Brandon Sleesman, Emily Tipps, Claudia, Marian

Johnny Torres, 62, San Antonio, formerly of Woodstock, died Thursday, March 7, 2013, at Vitas Morningside Inpatient Unit at Morningside Manor, San Antonio. He was born June 23, 1950, in Rochelle to Francisco and Cristina (Villasenor) Torres. He worked at Route 14 Auto Parts as a mechanic for many years and was an avid traveler who loved playing the guitar. Survivors include his wife, Victoria, Lafayette, Ind.; a son, Johnny Joe Torres; two daughters, Trina Torres and Jennifer (Jeff) Kowal; a stepson, Jake Wilson; 10 grandchildren, Shawna Torres, Elijah, Noah, Hannah, Dalton, Logan, Dakota, Raven, Kailie and Kohan; three great-grandchildren, Destiny, Mariah and Mason; and six siblings, Rudy, Fred, Isabel, Linda, Angie and Annie. A memorial service was held at