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

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