Patti Stofferahn, 51, Woodstock, died Sept. 12, 2012, surrounded by family, following a brave battle with ovarian cancer.  She was a Chicago Cubs fan who loved to hear the broadcasts of Harry Caray and Ron Santo while she rooted for her favorite first baseman, Mark Grace.  She also liked Winnie the Pooh and made him a constant presence in the raising of her children. Despite many struggles since being diagnosed with cancer more than five years ago, she never let her cancer diagnosis diminish her sense of humor. Her strength and courage will continue to be an inspiration for both family and her many friends. Survivors include two sons, Justin and Ryan; a brother, Tim (Cindy) Cook; a sister, Kris

Patricia Jean (Szurgot) Koziol, 69, of Oswego and formerly of Woodstock, died Saturday, Sept. 22, 2012, at Provena Mercy Hospital, Aurora.  She was born May 24, 1943, to Joseph A. and Bernice T. (Deren) Szurgot in East Chicago, Ind. She graduated from Griffith High School in Indiana and attended St. Joseph’s College. She was a member of St. Anne Catholic Church, Oswego, and was very active with the Oswego KC Ladies Auxiliary.  She was a dedicated Cub Scout and Tiger Cub Scout leader. She was an artist in the kitchen and loved to create delicious treats. She enjoyed adding to her earring collection.  She really enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren. Survivors include her husband of 47 years, Lawrence; a

Patricia Ann Swedberg, 79, Sycamore, died Friday, Sept. 14, peacefully surrounded by family and close friends after a brief stay at Bethany Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center.  She was born Aug. 4, 1933, to Emil G. and Wilhelmina (Carstens) Hensel.  She graduated from West Chicago High School and attended the University of Iowa, where she met Rodger Swedberg.  On July 10, 1954, they married in Sycamore.  She worked for many years at Duplex Products of Sycamore. She retired in 1999.  Survivors include a brother, David (Judy) Hensel of Hinsdale; a daughter, Kathy (Bob) Price, Rockford; two sons Jerry (Joy) Swedberg, Woodstock, and Bob Swedberg, Sycamore; nine grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and her close friends and neighbors, the

Bette Hill Robinson, 91, died Saturday, Aug. 18, 2012, in Milwaukee.  She was born Nov. 16, 1920, in Woodstock, to Roger and Hortense Hill. Her parents ran Todd School, the nationally-known progressive boarding school she attended.   She married Sandy Smith on the Todd School campus in 1939. She was an elementary school teacher in Woodstock and Rockford.  She taught with insight, empathy and humor. She loved her family, students and politics. She was an impassioned liberal who devoted much energy to the League of Women Voters, the Democratic Party and union activities. Survivors include two daughters, Priscilla Smith, Evanston, and Pamela Smith, Portland, Ore.; two sons, Roderick Smith, Taos, N.M., and Roger (Kavitha Reddy) Smith, Bethesda, Md.; three grandchildren,

Bruce A. Scheppa, 58, Wonder Lake, died Monday, Sept. 10, 2012, at Foster G. McGaw Hospital, Maywood, surrounded by his family. He was born Jan. 17, 1954, in Tomah, Wis., to Alva and Dorothy (Betthauser) Scheppa.  He grew up in the Wisconsin Rapids/Stevens Point area.  On Aug. 11, 1973, he married Caroline C. Lewandowski at St. Bartholomew in Stevens Point, Wis., after graduating high school.  They moved to Wonder Lake where they raised their family.  He worked at Accura Tool and Mold in Crystal Lake for more than 25 years. He also worked at Foreman Tool and Mold in St. Charles until he left the job due to medical disability in 2002.  For the past 10 years, he helped his

Melody Marie (Bentsen) Wahl, 69, died Sept. 11, 2012, in Loveland, Colo., surrounded by her family. She was born July 27, 1943, in Hastings, Neb., to Roy Bentsen and Juanita (Byron) Hews. She was a graduate of  the Woodstock High School class of 1961. She was employed as a copyright coordinator with Group Publishing Company until her retirement. She was a devoted mother and grandmother and enjoyed attending her grandchildren’s sporting events and watching her sons and daughter compete in team roper competitions.  Her warm-hearted and generous nature made her family feel cherished and loved. Survivors include two sons, Rick (Amanda) Wahl, Kremmling, Colo., and Phil (Genie) Wahl, Lovel and; a daughter, Chris (Bernie) Murphy, Kremmling; five grandchildren, Maria, Katie,

Wendy L. (Jurs) Stefan, 50, Woodstock, died Thursday, Sept. 13, 2012, at home. She was born Sept. 9, 1962, in Elgin, to Ronald Jurs and Sue Ann (Tessendorf) Brenizer.  On May 11, 1985, she married Albert “Al” Stefan at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Crystal Lake. She was a breast cancer survivor and fought ovarian cancer for the past six years.  Her 50th birthday celebration was a milestone in her life. She was a strong Christian and a member of Bible Study Fellowship. She loved to read and crochet, enjoyed spending time in Door County, Wis., and loved her schnauzers, Abbi and Kati, and her late schnauzer, Heidi. Survivors include her husband; two sons, Jacob Stefan and Kurtis Stefan; two sisters, Christie

Ruth P. Emerson,, 86, Cary, died Sept. 11, 2012, at Crossroads Care Center, Woodstock. She was born Sept. 9, 1926 in Detroit,  to Oscar Carl and Martha (Jukuri) Niva.   She was an avid reader who enjoyed keeping up on current events and fashion trends.  She loved and cared for all those around her. Survivors include two sons, Robert Jeffrey (Diane) Emerson and Ronald (Kristie) Metzler; a daughter, Sandra Metzler; three grandchildren, Amanda and John Emerson and Lindsey King; and five great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Robert; a grandson, Ryan Metzler; and two sisters, Vivian Olter and Marilyn Terry. Services will be private.

Jacklyn Quinney, 27, Woodstock, died Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012. She was born Sept. 28, 1984, to John and Teresa Quinney. She was a loving mother, daughter, sister and friend. She was a bright ball of free-spirited energy and loved dancing, music and squirrels. She was working toward completing her associate’s degree at McHenry County College. Survivors include her parents; a daughter, Jazlyn Sky Pacyna; her daughter’s father, Jason Pacyna; two sisters, Samantha (Ryan) Johnson and Maxine Quinney; grandparents Jacklyn (Bill Faber) Quinney Faber and Rosemary Polnow; and 48 cousins. She was preceded in death by her grandfathers Charles Thomas Quinney and grandfather Howard Eugene Polnow; and an uncle, Vincent Mark Quinney. Visitation was Sept. 13 at Resurrection Catholic Church, Woodstock. 

Darrell “Sam” Samuelson, 82, Hebron, died Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2012, while in the company of family members at his residence. He was born  Dec.11, 1929, in Iroquois, S.D., to Melvin and Lauretta (Schumaker) Samuelson. He graduated from Capron High School in 1947. On July 11, 1953, he married Margaret Ackerman in Belvidere. He worked as a carpenter for Builders Unlimited of Richmond for 45 years and retired in 2008. He was a member of Harvard Moose Lodge No.1329, a member of Richmond Lions Club and an avid bowler for many years. He served in the U.S. Air Force, from March 1949 to November 1952, as a staff sergeant during the Korean War. Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Vanessa, (Thomas)