Barbara J. Schmidt, 78, Woodstock, died Monday, Oct. 1, 2012, at Valley Hi Nursing Home, Woodstock. She was born Oct. 12, 1933, in Chicago to Theodore and Ivy (Hardin) Henker. On May 23, 1953, she married James Schmidt in Palatine. She was a homemaker and loved to paint, cook, knit, scrapbook, sew, garden and read. Survivors include her husband; two daughters, Kathy (Jerry) Lemke, Union, and Patti (Alan) Esker, Freeport; a son, Steve (Beth) Schmidt, Woodstock; nine grandchildren, Krissy (Scott) Starwalt, Byron, Daniel (Carrie) Lemke, Rockford, Amy (Hansen) Voss, Marengo, Zachariah (Susanna) Esker, Kansas City, Mo., Jacob (Alyssa) Esker, Atlanta, Ga., Joanna Esker, Freeport, and Joshua, Adam and Lucas Schmidt, all of Woodstock; six great-grandchildren; and a sister, Kathleen Almonte,

Virginia M. Laux, 93, Woodstock, died Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012, at Centegra Hospital-Woodstock. She was born Nov. 6, 1918, in Chicago. Survivors include a son, Daniel (Christine) Laux; five nephews, Tim, Joe, Greg, Glen and Paul; two nieces, Alana and Sue; and a cousin, Jim. She was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond; her parents; twin brothers; a sister; a niece; and a nephew. Service and interment will be privately arranged by Windridge Funeral Home, Cary.

Edward C. O’Leary, 81, Woodstock, died Saturday, Sept. 29, 2012, at Golden Years Nursing Home in Walworth, Wis. He was born Nov. 4, 1930,  in Woodstock to Daniel and Mary (Kanaly) O’Leary. On June 14, 1952, he married Jeanette Skinner in Tampa, Fla. He served with the United States Air Force and was stationed in Okinawa, Japan. He was an owner/partner in O’Leary Construction Company for many years. He enjoyed working with construction equipment and helping and visiting friends and family. His family would like to thank the dedicated staff and nurses at Golden Years Nursing Home for the excellent care he received. Survivors include two brothers, Leonard (Charlene) O’Leary and James (Betty) O’Leary; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Frederic C. “Rick” Carr, Woodstock, died Saturday, Sept. 29, 2012, following a  battle with pancreatic cancer. He was born June 1, 1943, in Trenton, N.J., to Frederic and Elizabeth (McCarty) Carr.  He married Susan Siok in October of 1998. Upon graduation from Marian University with a Bachelor of Science in economics, he spent five years in the military during the Vietnam conflict and served three tours of duty in Vietnam.  He worked for Rockwell International, Pillsbury Company, Levi Strauss & Company, United Brands LLC and Siebe PLC.  He was an avid golfer and closely followed the Packers, St. Louis Cardinals, and New York “Football” Giants. Survivors include his wife; two sons, Patrick (Victoria Jones) Carr, Lombard, and Brian Carr, Chicago;

Stephen Carl Amraen, 61, Woodstock, died Sunday, Sept. 30, 2012, surrounded by his loving family, after a two-year battle with pancreatic cancer. He was born Nov. 3, 1950, in Chicago to John C. and Rita V. (Pietrowski) Amraen.   On Dec. 26, 1975, he married Monica Daum in Chicago. He was a veteran and served in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War.   He was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Woodstock.  He worked as an accountant for the Internal Revenue Service. He also was active with the American Youth Soccer Organization for many years, serving on the board as well as coaching.  Most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his loving family. Survivors

Elizabeth L. “Liz” Wickard, 74, Woodstock, died Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, at Centegra Hospital, Woodstock. She was born July 27, 1937, in Chicago to Henry and Lenora (Kayser) Stolz. On April 29, 1965, she married Robert E. Wickard. She and her husband were longtime residents of Woodstock. She was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church. For the last few years, she had been a resident at Crossroads Care Center. Survivors include a son, Robert, St. Paul, Minn.; a daughter, Audrey, St. Paul; two brothers, Joseph (Dianna) Stolz, Bremerton, Wash., and Anthony (June) Stolz, San Jose, Calif.; a sister, Lenora (Robert) Semrad, Woodridge; a niece, Lailani Henning, Woodstock; a cousin, Joseph Kayser, Hartland; and many nieces and nephews. She was

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,