Trust the Torch!

Obituaries

Kathleen A. Crandall

Kathleen A. Crandall 59, Woodstock, died Sunday, Jan. 13, 2013, at Hospice & Palliative Care of Northeastern Illinois Inpatient Unit at Centegra Specialty Hospital – Woodstock.  She was born Jan. 19, 1953, in Aurora to Robert and Dorothy (Neumann) Woodward.  On Dec. 29, 1977, she married Glenn Crandall in Woodstock.  She attended fourth through eighth grade at St. Mary School, Woodstock, and graduated from Woodstock Community High School in 1971. She loved to work in her garden, loved her family and always looked forward to family events. She was loved by many and will be missed. Survivors include her husband; two daughters, Jaime (Christopher) Ingeman and Kimberlin (Andrew) Reinhard; four grandchildren, Elysa, Joshua and Rachel Ingeman and Brennan Reinhard; her

Mary C. Stemm

Mary C. Stemm, 96, Woodstock, died  Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, at Hearthstone Manor Nursing Home, Woodstock. She was born Nov. 3, 1916, to Ignatius and Clara (Evvard) Goode.   On April 15, 1939, she married Joseph Stemm in Chicago. She was a devout Catholic and a member of St. Mary Catholic Church, Woodstock. Survivors include two daughters, Margaret “Peg” (Mike) Sullivan and Mary C. “Cathy” (Gary) Eveland; eight grandchildren, Christine (Bruce) Merevick, Joseph (Akemi) Sullivan, John (Licca) Sullivan, Kate (Bill) Lawrence, Scott (Judy) Eveland, Todd Crummy, Brian (Tracy) Crummy and Jennifer Zingre; 13 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband. A memorial gathering and Mass were  Jan. 19 at St.

Joyce Jewel Robinson

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Upcoming Events

Top Writers

Picture of Larry Lough

Larry Lough

Larry Lough is editor of The Independent and reports local news.

Picture of Janet Dovidio

Janet Dovidio

Janet Dovidio has been a freelance correspondent for The Independent for eight years.

Picture of Susan W. Murray

Susan W. Murray

Susan W. Murray wrote for The Independent, covering various beats, from 2005 to 2008.

Picture of Tricia Carzoli

Tricia Carzoli

Tricia Carzoli is a freelance writer and photographer that on community news.

Keep Exploring

Subscriber Access

Login