Joyce Jewel Robinson, 71, Wonder Lake, died Sunday, Jan. 6, 2013, at home. She was born June 13, 1941, in Anniston, Ala., to Clifford and Lura (Griggs) Traywick.  She spent her early life in Alabama. On Dec. 12, 1959, she married David Robinson in Anniston. She was a loving wife, cherished mother and doting grandmother. She worked at nursing homes and was a loving caregiver. She enjoyed playing cards with friends and family until late into the night and also enjoyed hunting for treasures at garage sales. She always loved a mystery show or book and enjoyed watching forensic crime shows with her husband. She was famous for her homemade Italian beef.  She always will be remembered as the most

Sophie Ann Brunner, (Cain) 89, Woodstock, died Wednesday, Dec.19, 2012, after a long illness.  She was born Aug. 20, 1923, in Chicago to Alfred and Sophia Bucher.  She lived in Norwood Park for most of her life and attended Schurz and Taft high schools. She studied chemistry and zoology at Northwestern University. After her marriage to Robert Brunner, she volunteered for 20 years with the Division of Amphibians and Reptiles of the Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, where she prepared snake skeletal specimens for a collection that now bears her name. She also was active in the Norwood Park Presbyterian Church.  She and her husband lived in Arlington Heights before moving to Woodstock. They were members of First Presbyterian

Henry A.T. Basile, 87, Woodstock, died Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2013, at his home. He was born Dec. 15, 1925, in Chicago to Tito and Gaetana Basile. On Sept. 3, 1947, he married Joan Brown in Wilmette. He was a 60-year member of the SNETRAM Bridge Club. He loved woodworking, was an avid gardener and was affectionately known as “Papa” to his family. Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Christie Lickfield; a son, Robert (Lynne) Basile; four grandchildren, Stacie Lickfield-Birt, A.J. Basile, Danny Basile and Emily Basile; three great-grandchildren, Leighanna Birt, Henry Birt and Sydney Birt; and a brother, Rudolph (Margaret) Basile. Visitation and the memorial service were Jan. 13 at Kahle-Moore Funeral Home, Cary. Memorials can be sent to Hospice

Millie Chewning, Marengo, 87, died Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2013, on her farm, surrounded by family and loved ones. She was born Sept. 11, 1925, in Detroit to Anthony and Anna Kurr.  She married Eldon “Al” Chewning and moved to Illinois in 1954. She and her husband eventually settled in Crystal Lake to raise their family.  They survived the Palm Sunday tornado of 1965 which demolished their home, and several months later, they opened the Branded Steak House, considered unique at the time for its urban style and open char-broiler.  In 1971, Chewning and her husband opened the Cloven Hoof Steak House in Marengo. She and her husband operated the restaurant until he died in 1983.  She retired from the restaurant

Deonna Rose Davis, infant, Woodstock, died unexpectedly Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012. She was born Oct. 19, 2012, to Claude and Linda (Steggs) Davis. A memorial gathering and service were Jan. 10 at Schneider-Leucht-Merwin & Cooney Funeral Home, Woodstock.

Adolph A. Jelen, 94, Crystal Lake, died Thursday, Jan. 3, 2013, at The Springs at Crystal Lake.
 He was born June 4, 1918, in Chicago to Thomas S. and Julia (Handzel) Jelen.  He served in the Army Air Corps as a bombardier in World War II. He was a member of Christ the King Catholic Church in Wonder Lake, where he was a Fourth Degree with the Knights of Columbus Council 13388. He also was a member of the American Legion and VFW and an avid ham radio operator for most of his lifetime, known by his call letters W9IT. 
 He worked for R.R. Donnelly and retired in 1982.  Survivors include a daughter, Diane (Earl) Boysen, Marengo; five grandchildren,

Rita S. Graff, 85, Woodstock, died peacefully after respiratory complications Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2013. She was born Nov. 29, 1927, in Chicago to Frank and Eleanor (Jaszkowski) Gurtowski. She spent her childhood in Chicago alongside her brother and sisters. After graduating from Carl Schurz High School in 1945, she worked for A. E. Nielson. In 1946, following World War II, she met former United States Marine Corp Private Al (Alois) Graff at the American Legion.  On April 19, 1947, she married Al Graff. Together at the Polish Ponderosa, they raised seven children and cared for a menagerie of pets, including Betsy the dog, Maddish the pig, Frank the raccoon, Woolie the sheep and other assorted strays.  Rita always considered herself

Letty M. Krieger, 83, Woodstock, died Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013, at Valley Hi Nursing Home, Woodstock. She was born July 27, 1929, in Libertyville, to Howard and Esther (Hironimus) Trimble.  She married Edwin Krieger. Survivors include two sons, Martin (Sukja) Demars, Woodstock, and Dennis Demars, Wilmot, Wis.; a daughter, Esther Trimble, Scottsdale, Ariz.; 10 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; and a brother, Scott (Sandra) Trimble, Ozark, Mo. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; two sons, James Roesslein and Terry Demars; and a brother, Robert Trimble. The memorial service and entombment were Jan. 8, in the Mausoleum at Oakland Cemetery, Woodstock.

Gary K. Sherwin, Marengo, 65, formerly of Woodstock, died Saturday, Jan. 5, 2013, at his home. He was born Oct. 29, 1947, in Woodstock to Elwood “Red” and Vivian (Winkelman) Sherwin.  On March 27, 1971, he married Janet Kruse. He enjoyed woodworking, especially building bird houses, and camping. He was employed at Union Special for 34 years. Survivors include his wife; a son, Brian (Melisa) Sherwin, Marengo; a granddaughter, Vivian Sherwin, Marengo; his father- and mother-in-law, Paul and Carol Kruse, Woodstock; two brothers-in-law, Charles (Karen) Kruse and John (Dar) Kruse, both of Woodstock; a sister-in-law, Phyllis (Jack) Fischer, St. Charles; two stepsisters, Deb (Greg) Leonard, Belvidere, and Peg (Smokie) Niemeier, Belvidere; a stepbrother, Robert (Carlene) Lang, Alabama; and many nieces,

Viola I. Brown, 88, Woodstock, died Thursday, Jan. 3, 2013, at Hospice & Palliative Care of Northeastern Illinois Inpatient Unit at Centegra Specialty Hospital – Woodstock. She was born Jan. 29, 1924, in Woodstock to Charles and Marie (Erckfitz) Koltz.  On Nov. 23, 1946, she married Raymond Brown in Harvard.  She was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Woodstock and was employed at Oak Industries in Crystal Lake for 22 years. She was active in VFW Post 5040 Women’s Auxiliary, The Silver Manes and Women of the Moose Lodge in Woodstock.  She enjoyed going to casinos and was an avid bingo player. She was loved and will be missed.  Survivors include a daughter, Bonnie (Paul) Kagel; three grandchildren Daniel