Esther Nicolene Hughes, 95, Woodstock, died April 26, 2013, at Hearthstone Communities, Woodstock.   She was born July 24, 1917, in Culbertson, Mont. to Anton and Martha (Larsen) Hansen, on the family homestead. Her family moved to Woodstock and she started first grade speaking only Danish. She credited her first-grade teacher for spending extra time with her so she could learn English. She was proud of her Danish and American heritage. As a teenager, she lived in Chicago with relatives, as a companion to their children.  She worked at Woodstock Auto-Lite for 33 years, retiring in 1980. She enjoyed history, recounting great stories of her family’s ancestry and spending time with her family, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and many friends. She was

Ferdinand “Fred” J. Strang Sr., 89, Woodstock, died Tuesday, April 23, 2013, at JourneyCare Hospice, Woodstock, after a brief illness. He was born July 26, 1923, in Zams, Triol, Austria, to Joseph and Marie (Greener) Strang. On July 31, 1943, he married Ruthella “Midge” Latham. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and served in the Pacific Theatre during World War II. He was proud of getting his pilot’s license and loved to fly. In 1946, he opened Fred’s Upholstery in Woodstock. Three generations of family members continue to serve his customers at the shop. He was a longtime member of St. Mary Catholic Church, Woodstock, as well as the Woodstock Moose Lodge and Woodstock VFW Post 5040. He

Albert “Al” Kramka, 84, Woodstock, died Saturday, April 20, 2013, at home. He was born March 17, 1929, in Elgin to Robert J. and Caroline (Sczrosinski) Kramka.  On May 3, 1952, he married Lella Cork in Elgin. He served in the U.S. Army from January 1951 until October 1952.  He was a member of the American Legion and the McHenry County Historical Society. He also was a teacher for Woodstock School District 200 and taught at Woodstock High School and Olson Middle School for 28 years.  He enjoyed gardening, fishing, music and traveling. Survivors include his wife; three sons, Lee (Nancy Hickmann) Kramka, Lane Kramka and Clay Kramka; two daughters, Gail (Terry) Moran and Susan (Dave) Nell; two brothers, Larry

Rose Marie Nicholas, 54, Woodstock, died Sunday, April 14, 2013, at Crossroads Care Center, Woodstock. She was born Dec. 9, 1958, in Waukegan to Wilson and Anna (Schultz) Flood.   She was employed for many years with Chroma and enjoyed embroidering. She also adored Elvis. She was loved and will be missed by many. Survivors include two daughters, Terrie Farrar and Natalie (Matthew Mullin) Nicholas; three sons, Leroy (Amber) Weber, Jeffrey (Sherri) Nicholas and Jason Nicholas; Amber Hoss and Mirinda, who were like daughters to her; 11 grandchildren, Lauria, Austin, Christopher, Felicia, Blake, Jonathan, Dominic, Dezarae, Zachary, Madyson and Paige; a sister, Katherine Flood; a brother, Wilson Flood; and her best friend, Jackie.   She was preceded in death by

John J. Mencotti, 78, Woodstock, formerly of Naperville, died Friday, April 12, 2013, at Centegra Hospital – McHenry. He was born Nov. 7, 1934 in Detroit to Joseph V. and Annilese (Rustman) Mencotti.  On Jan. 24, 1958, he married Patricia Zemanek.  He joined the United States Navy in 1955 and completed basic training at the Great Lakes Naval Base in Illinois. He served in the Medical Corp during the Korean War. He was proud of his service and the time he served on submarines. He was honorably discharged in 1960.  He was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church, Woodstock, and also was a member of the VFW and the American Legion in Woodstock and Naperville. He enjoyed having laughs

Nancy Reilly, 76, Woodstock, died Tuesday, March 5, 2013, setting her free from Alzheimer’s disease. She was born Sept. 22, 1937, in Woodstock to Edward and Adeline Klemme. She graduated from Northern Illinois University, where she met her husband, Robert Reilly. She taught elementary school in Andalusia for 30 years and also helped her husband at Reilly’s Berry Farm in Milan, enjoying all the berries she could freeze. She traveled far and wide and visited all 50 states as well as Europe, Australia and New Zealand. She also loved to watch birds – especially the winter gathering of eagles on the Mississippi River. She was an avid jewelry and glass bead designer, enjoyed attending the Gem Show in Tucson, Ariz.,

Mark R. Adolphus, 56, Wonder Lake, died Monday, April 8, 2013, at home. He was born July 24, 1956, in Chicago to Robert N. and Geraldine L. (Shiplock) Adolphus.   On July 11, 2009, he married Sara Voss in Woodstock. He was active with the Woodstock Jaycees and, as a lifetime member, was inducted into the Jaycee Senate. He was involved in many projects over the years, but took particular enjoyment working on the annual Fourth of July Fireworks celebration. He also was a supporter of the Woodstock VFW and made it a point to support men and women who served in the military. He owned the first video store in Woodstock and ran a concession trailer for the Woodstock

Marston V. “Marty” Wrublewski, 87, Wonder Lake, died Sunday, April 7, 2013, at JourneyCare Hospice in Woodstock. He was born May 10, 1925, in Chicago to John and Nellie (Bolger) Wrublewski.  On April 5, 1947, he married Dorothy Swanson in Chicago.  He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, McHenry. He enjoyed playing cards and gardening, but most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his family and friends.  Survivors include a son, John Wrublewski; two daughters, Linda (Ray) Simon and Deborah (Scott) Roeske; nine grandchildren, Stephanie, Christopher and Zachariah Wrublewski, Cherri (Nate) Wolf, Tina (Kevin) Stanley, Stacy (Jason Brennan) Simon, Kristi (Matt) Van Ham, Dawn (Nick) Kooi and Kelly (Steve Fernstrom) Roeske; and three great-grandchildren, Skylie, Maliyah and Simon.

Annette Sharon Gacki, 68, Woodstock, died Saturday, April 6, 2013. She was born Oct. 11, 1944, in Dallas to Jay and Rosalie Lebcowitz. She was a longtime resident of St. Joseph, Mich., and moved to Illinois in 2007.  She was employed with Walmart in Michigan and Illinois for more than 23 years. Survivors include her husband, Roger Gacki, Woodstock; a daughter, Jennifer (Mike) Flickinger; two grandchildren, Riley and Brady, Huntley; her parents, Dallas; and her mother-in-law, Fleta Gacki, East Lansing, Mich. Services will be private for the family. Memorials can be made to the Journey- Care Hospice Facility, Foundation 405 Lake Zurich Road, Barrington, IL 60010. Services will be private for the family.

Peter J. Waichunas, 98, Woodstock, died Wednesday, April 3, 2013. He was born Sept. 30, 1914, in Melrose Park to Peter and Martha (Samarakas) Waichunas.   In May of 1950, he married Dolores Talmont at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church of Chicago. He served in the Army Air Force during World War II. He owned and operated Wayne Metal Products in Melrose Park for 55 years and was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church, Hartland. He enjoyed spending time with his loving family – especially at Griswold Lake – and loved fishing and boating. He also enjoyed golfing, bowling and watching Western movies.   He was a world traveler and enjoyed many trips to Europe and the Middle East.