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Obituaries

Hidegarde Nawalaniec

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

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,

Gerhard H. Klutke

Gerhard H. Klutke, 75, Woodstock, died Monday, Nov. 5, 2012.  He was born April 22, 1937, in Hamburg, Germany, to Hans and Marta Klutke. On Dec. 18, 1959, he married Ilse Osinski. He emigrated from Germany in 1964 and started his business in 1971. He was the owner of GKI Inc. in Crystal Lake. He enjoyed soccer, hockey, skiing and golf and was one of the founders of the Crystal Lake Leafs hockey club. He loved spending time with his family and friends, especially his grandchildren, who affectionately called him “Opa.” He will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved him. Survivors include his wife; two sons, Olaf (Tammy), Long Grove, and Eric (Sue), Crystal Lake; and five

Miguel Verastique

Miguel Verastique, 69, Woodstock, died Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012. He was born Aug. 28, 1943, in Cotulla, Texas, to Ismael and Hortencia (Martinez) Verastique. He enjoyed life, loved to laugh and make others laugh and loved his family and many friends. He will be greatly missed. Survivors include his loving wife, Maria Verastique; three sons, Michael Verastique, Tony Verastique and Carlos Mejia; a daughter, Melinda Verastique; four grandchildren, Jantzen, Jordan, Hannah and Reid; three brothers, Geranimo Verastique, Carlos Villarreal and Rudy Alafita; a sister, Criselda Verastequi; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Gustavo Villarreal. Visitation was Nov. 7 and 8. The funeral was Nov. 8 at the funeral home. Burial

Donne E. McCullough

Donne E. McCullough, 66, Woodstock, died Thursday, Nov. 1, 2012, at home. He was born April 14, 1946, in Woodstock to Arthur and Joyce (Nogle) McCullough. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Woodstock, and his family owned and operated Woodstock Dry Goods on the Square.  He worked for the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office as a dispatcher from 1980 through 1990 and volunteered for McHenry County Emergency Services & Disaster Agency for 42 years. He enjoyed vacationing, fishing and was a model train collector. Survivors include his caregiver, Yuri. He was preceded in death by his parents. Visitation and the funeral were Nov. 5 at Schneider-Leucht-Merwin & Cooney Funeral Home,  Woodstock, with the Rev. Paul Nelson officiating. Burial

Mario J. Perez

Mario J. Perez, 77, Woodstock, died Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2012, at home surrounded by his family after succumbing to prostate cancer. He was born Jan. 19, 1935, in Seneca to Carmen and José Perez. He was raised in Marseilles and moved to Chicago in the 1940s.  On May 8, 1965, he married Esther Peterson of Ames, Iowa, at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Chicago. He attended St. Patrick’s Academy in Chicago and graduated from University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana in 1957, with a major in history and minor in anthropology; he earned his juris doctorate from DePaul University College of Law in 1960.  He was a member of Phi Alpha Delta law fraternity and served in the U.S. Army

Linda J. Frenk

Linda J. Frenk (Laitinen), 57, Woodstock, died Thursday, Nov. 1, 2012, after a hard-fought battle with cancer.  She graduated from Waukesha South High School, Wis., in 1973. After graduating from Carroll College, she taught high school English and theater for several years. She then worked in the telecommunications industry for more than 30 years. She also worked as a regional training consultant for Windstream Communications. She was known for her generous spirit, loved the holidays and was active in community theater where she performed, directed or choreographed more than 60 productions at Waukesha Civic Theatre, Carroll College, Shorewood Players, the Milwaukee Players and summer stock in Lake Geneva.  Survivors include her husband, Ken; her parents, Robert and Doris Laitinen, Waukesha;

Carolyn (Sue) Palmore

Carolyn S. (Sue) Palmore, 73, Woodstock, died Thursday, Nov. 1, 2012, at her home after a 4-½ year battle with pancreatic cancer.  She was born Jan. 31, 1939, in Frankfort, Ind., to William and Mazie Hankins.   She grew up in a loving home on her parent’s farm in Scircleville, Ind.   After graduation from high school, she attended Purdue University and received a degree in food science in 1961. She entered the workforce in 1970 as an educator for the Dairy Council of Michigan and, for the next two decades, continued to work for organizations representing America’s farmers and dairy producers.   She also held positions with the National Housewares Manufacturers Association and a video production company, before launching

Mary Katherine Kelley

Mary Katherine Kelley, 91, Woodstock, died Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012, at Crossroads Care Center in Woodstock. She was born March 23, 1921, in Wedowee, Ala., to Robert E. and Carrie Lee.  On April 12, 1941, she married Andrew Franklin Kelley. The couple lived mostly in the south, from Alabama to Texas, for many years, eventually moving to Quebec, Canada, and Venezuela. Upon retirement in Mississippi, they moved to Illinois to be near their daughter and her family. She enjoyed flower gardening, cooking and being with her many good friends and neighbors. Her interests included sewing and art, dancing, playing cards with friends and especially reading. She was kind and always supportive of her family and friends. Survivors include a son,

John Francis Flanagan

John Francis Flanagan,  79, Wonder Lake, died Monday, Oct. 29, 2012, surrounded by his family. He was born Dec. 4, 1933, at the family farm in Dunmore County, Galway, Ireland, to Delia and Thomas Flanagan Sr. His family left Ireland for New York when he was 14. His mother died 3-½ months after arrival. He graduated from Don Bosco Prep in New York and moved to Chicago with his father and brother. On June 19, 1954, he married Winifred Jean in Chicago. In 1972, he and his family moved to Wonder Lake from the south side of Chicago. He was a plasterer for Pope Co., a member of the Pipe Fitters Union 597 and a member of Christ the King

Top Writers

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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