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

William Pat Sonnenberg, 70, Woodstock, formerly of Lake in the Hills and California, died of lung cancer Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012, at Hospice & Palliative Care of Northeastern Illinois Inpatient Unit at Centegra Specialty Hospital – Woodstock. He was the only son of Irene Brown and was loved very much by his mother, wife, sister, children, grandchildren, relatives and friends. Cremation will be private. There will be no visitation.

Harold “Woody” Curtis Grashel, 86, Woodstock, died Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012, at Crossroads Care Center, Woodstock. He was born July 7, 1926, in Dundee, to Harold C. and Eva (Ratzlaff) Grashel. He served in the United States military during World War II, worked at Butcher Boy in Harvard for several years and was a member of the Harvard American Legion. He loved photography and was an avid Chicago sports fan. Survivors include four nephews, Jeffrey Grashel, Bradley Grashel and Rodney Grashel, all of Harvard, and Donald (Stacy) Grashel, Summerville, S.C.; three nieces, Gloria (Dale) Wuttke, Elkhorn, Wis., Julia Kirby, Indiana, and Kimberly (Eric) Olson, Elkhorn; 12 grand-nieces and -nephews; and three great-nieces and -nephews. He was preceded in death by

Louise F. Bauer, 91, formerly of Havre, Mont., died Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2012, at Hearthstone Manor in Woodstock, of natural causes. She was born June 4, 1921, on a homestead north of Havre, to Theodore and Frances (Vollmer) Pruys. In 1950, she married George Bauer in Havre.  She attended school in Cottonwood and Havre, graduated from Havre High School and earned a teaching certificate at Northern Montana College.  She taught in several country schools, including Tiger Butte, Nashua, Whitefish, and the Devlin School in Havre. She was a great mother, devoted her time to her family and always will be remembered for her bread and pies. She cared for her mother when she was stricken with cancer, her father when

Irene M. Steinwehe, 85, Woodstock, died Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012, at Centegra Medical Center – Woodstock. She was born Aug. 8, 1927, in Garden Valley, Wis., to Melvin and Ruby (Hermanson) Olson.  She married Albert F. Steinwehe Jr. and was an active member of Grace Lutheran Church, Woodstock. She loved crocheting and made numerous hats, scarves and gloves that she gave to the church.  She worked in the McHenry County Treasurer’s Office for more than 30 years. Her greatest enjoyment was taking care of her husband, children and grandchildren. Surivors include her husband,Woodstock; a daughter, Diane (Michael) Marks, Wonder Lake; five grandchildren, Cortney (Chad) Westbrook, Ashley Whiting, Trace Marks, Randy (Melissa) Whiting Jr., Castidie (Tim) Creighton; a great-grandchild, Blake Westbrook;

Max M. Liptrot, 19, Woodstock, died unexpectedly from heart complications Saturday, Dec. 29, 2012. He was born March 21, 1993, in Bradenton, Fla., to Douglas Liptrot and Amy (Marotta) Bodner.  He lived in Woodstock since his toddler years and graduated from Woodstock North High School in 2011. He was an excellent student, was a staff reporter for the Northern Lights newspaper and was elected by his fellow students to give the commencement speech at graduation. He was a journalism student at McHenry County College where he worked as a writer and editor for the Tartan newspaper. He had a passion for the arts, especially music, and enjoyed playing guitar, writing lyrics, scores and poetry. He also was an avid follower

Sue Palmore, 73, passed away at home Nov. 1, 2012 after a lengthy battle with pancreatic cancer. She was a longtime Woodstock School District 200 board member. A celebration of life memorial will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 5, in the Woodstock North High School auditorium, 3000 Raffel Road. All are welcome to attend.

Rita M. Rich, 70, McHenry, died Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2012, at Froedert Hospital in Milwaukee. She was born Jan. 28, 1942, in Chicago to Lewis and Gladys L. (Dominique) Higgins. A longtime resident of Wonder Lake, she lived in South Carolina for a time before returning to the McHenry area in 2003. She was employed by Claussen Pickle Co. for more than 25 years prior to retirement. She was a member of The Church of Holy Apostles and previously a member of Christ the King Catholic Church. She enjoyed singing in the church choir and was devoted to her faith. A doting grandmother, she was giving of her time to friends and neighbors. Survivors include two children, Sheryl Rich, McHenry,

James W. Pitman, 87, Woodstock, died peacefully Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012, in Woodstock.  He was born in Rutland, Vt., to the late Ernest and Madeline (Johnson) Pitman.  He was a proud veteran of the United States Navy, serving in the Pacific during World War II.  He is survived by his daughter, Candace (Michael) Podhorn; two granddaughters, Catherine (Ted) Smith and Carolyn (Brad) Buecher; four great-grandchildren, Ian James, Amanda Smith, Payton Buecher and Carter Buecher; and a brother, Edward Pitman. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Irene (Sieczkowski); and two brothers, Robert Pitman and Gerald Pitman.  The memorial service was private.  Arrangements were by the Cremation Society of Illinois. For information, call 815-444-0740.