Gerald “Jerry” A. Draffkorn Sr., 74, Wonder Lake, died Tuesday, July 2, 2013, at The Springs in Crystal Lake, surrounded by his loving family. He was born Jan. 2, 1939, in Chicago to Frank and Marian Quall Draffkorn. On Aug. 8, 1982, he married Susan Sullivan in Wonder Lake. He served in the U.S. Army. He was a well driller and retired three years ago from Joseph H. Huemann & Sons, Ringwood. He was a member of The Church of Holy Apostles, McHenry. Survivors include his wife; Wonder Lake, two daughters, Jennifer (Patrick) Etherington, Round Lake Park, and Jill Draffkorn, Woodstock; three sons, Jerry (Natalie) Draffkorn Jr., Woodstock, Jeff (Mary) Draffkorn, Mount Prospect, and Jim Draffkorn, Wheeling; two brothers, Frank

Pearl Irene Bartel Rud, 91, Sarasota, Fla., died Monday June 17, 2013, at The Springs in Sarasota. She was born Nov. 2, 1921, in Franksville, Wis., to William Emil and Margaret Lillian Bartel. On Jan. 31, 1942, she married Harold Ragnar Rud in Chicago. She attended Steinmetz High School in Chicago and raised her family in Oriole Park. She enjoyed hosting family gatherings. She especially enjoyed children and encouraged her children and grandchildren to stand up for themselves and do well in school. She also enjoyed skiing, taking her children on excursions and visiting friends and family in Illinois and Wisconsin.  She worked as a school secretary for many years before retiring with her husband – a veteran and former

Brian E. Messman, 53, Woodstock, died Monday, June 17, 2013, at Centegra Hospital-McHenry. He was born Oct. 26, 1959, in Woodstock to Marion and Grace (Thompson) Messman. He married Pam Francke. He worked for many years as a carpenter. He loved riding his motorcycle, camping and being in the outdoors. Most of all, he loved spending time with his family. Survivors include his wife; his parents; three sons, Tony (Kayla), Tom and Christopher; two daughters, Briana (Grant) Kolehase and Autumn; four brothers, Jerry, Ed, Steve (Diane) and Peter; a sister, Beth (Bill Olson) Messman; a grandchild, Lillian Francke; and nieces and nephews, Salina and Hannah Messman and Gary and Katie Fike. A memorial gathering was held June 21 at Schneider-Leucht-Merwin

Dan E. Andrew, 93, Winston-Salem, N.C., formerly of Park Ridge and Woodstock, died Sunday, March 31, 2013.  He was born in 1919 in Nebraska, to R.O. and Lotta Andrew. He moved with his parents to Woodstock in 1925. He received an accounting degree from the University of Illinois at the age of 20, as a member of the Reserve Officer Training Corps Army Horse Calvary. He served during World War II and supervised the making of munitions. He also served during the Korean War and remained in the Army Reserve until 1979, retiring as a colonel. He earned an MBA from the University of Chicago and held a variety of executive positions, including working at his family’s buisness, R.O. Andrew

Richard A. Volz, Texas, 75, formerly of Woodstock, died Wednesday, June 19, 2013, after a battle with cancer. He was born July 10, 1937, in Woodstock to Helen and Emil Volz. He was an Eagle Scout and a Scout leader. He received his BS, MS and PhD in electrical engineering from Northwestern University, Evanston. He was head of the Computer Science Department of Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, from 1988 to 1997. He was the founding director of the Robotics Research Laboratory and professor of electrical engineering and computer science at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich., from 1964 to 1988. He served on five federal advisory boards: The Air Force Scientific Advisory Board, the Ada Board, the

Wayne A. Sherman, 73, Huntley, formerly of Woodstock, died Sunday, June 30, 2013, at home. He was born April 16, 1940, in Woodstock to Dorr A. and Adlynn E. (Piska) Sherman. On July 17, 1965, he married Audrey F. Share in Woodstock. He was a member of the First Congregational Church of Huntley. He loved fishing on Lake Michigan – or any small pond – and was a member of Salmon Unlimited in Racine, Wis. He loved to farm and was an avid Chicago Bears fan. Survivors include his wife; a son, Richard (Jesika) Sherman, Lake in the Hills; a daughter, Tami (Rick) Van Wazer, Lombard; a sister, Sharon K. (Barb Iverson) Sherman; and two grandchildren, Ezequiel and Jacob. He

Robert J. Nickels, 72, Hebron, formerly of Woodstock, died Thursday, June 6, 2013. He was born Jan. 4, 1941, in Woodstock to Marvin and Hazel (Wilcox) Nickels. Survivors include his mother; a daughter, Deborah (John) Brown; three sons, Richard, Zeke and Zack Nickels; and two grandchildren, Anthony and Jacqueline Brown. He was preceded in death by his father and an infant granddaughter. Private services and burial were held June 13 at McHenry County Memorial Park.

Vernell E. Bennett, 88, Marengo, died Sunday, June 23, 2013, at Hearthstone Manor, Woodstock. She was born Oct. 15, 1924, in Freedom, Ky., to Paul and Ruby (Davis) Burks.  On Dec. 15, 1945, she married Gerald J. Bennett in Chicago. She loved doing cross stitch, cooking and gardening. She also loved flowers. Survivors include her husband; two sons, Gerald J. (Debbie) Bennett Jr. and Richard J. Bennett; two daughters, Paulette J. (Budd) Haas and Kathleen M. Bennett; three granddaughters, Kelly Haas, Claire Bennett and Lily Bennett; and a sister, Margie Bullington. She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, John Burks; and a sister, Claudie Bullington. Visitation and the funeral Mass were June 27 at St. Mary Catholic

William A. “Bill” Freund, 86, Woodstock, died Wednesday, June 24, 2013, at Florence Nursing Home in Marengo. He was born May 19, 1926, in Woodstock to Arthur N. and Margaret (Long) Freund. On Jan. 31, 1948, he married Mary Huebsch in Woodstock. He graduated from St. Mary High School in Woodstock and served in the Army Air Corps. He was an active member of St. Mary Catholic Church, Woodstock, and was a founding member of the Woodstock Little League. He also was a member of the Woodstock VFW.     He was a fireman in the Woodstock Fire/Rescue District for 36 years and was a trustee. He also served on various city commissions, including the board of building construction. He

Mary Elizabeth Landa, 52, Tower Lake, died suddenly Saturday, June 15, 2013. She was born July 6, 1960. She grew up in Rock Island and graduated from Rock Island High School. She attended Western Illinois University and graduated in 1983.  She married Scott Landa the summer after graduation. Within a few years, they moved to the northwest suburbs of Chicago. She was employed as a teacher at Woodstock High School for 25 years, teaching physical education, health and drivers education. She will be remembered by more than two decades of students for her warm personality, caring manner and belief that learning should be fun. She also will be remembered for her love of music, the arts, and most of all,