Trust the Torch!

Obituaries

Elizabeth H. Harrison

Elizabeth H. Harrison, 58, Wonder Lake, died Monday, June 25, 2012, at Centegra Hospital – McHenry. She was born Feb. 19, 1954, in North Platte, Neb., to Arnold F. and Lucille M. (Powell) Freeman Sr.  On July 1, 1990, she married Robert J. Harrison at Greenwood Methodist Church, Greenwood. She was employed by Mercy Health System, Woodstock as a registered nurse. An excellent crafter, she was known for making and handing out little angels to everyone she came in contact with. She was devoted to her family and friends. Survivors include her husband; a daughter, Elizabeth M. Harrison, Wonder Lake; two sons, James (Eliza) Butler and Conrad Butler; and two brothers, Arnold F. Freeman Jr. and David Freeman. She was

Erna Anita (Mahler) Kline

Erna Anita (Mahler) Kline, 94, Woodstock, died Saturday, June 23, 2012, surrounded by her family. She was born Sept. 2, 1917, in Lincoln, to William and Ida Mahler. She lived in Gardner until age 13, when she moved to Chicago.  On June 28, 1941, she married Dean Kline. She and her husband moved to Homewood, where they lived for more than 50 years on Burr Oak Road. She moved to Woodstock in 2003 to live at Hearthstone Village. She was dedicated to her family andfriends and enjoyed feeding anyone who visited. She was a gentle and gracious lady whose smile could light up a room. She was the best wife, mother and grandmother. Survivors include two sons, John (Hiroko) Kline

Viola Helen Justen

Viola Helen Justen, 95, Woodstock, died Friday, June 22, at Crossroads Care Center, Woodstock.  She was born Sept. 26, 1916, in Crystal Lake, to Bert and Mary (Demien) Maynard. She was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Woodstock. She worked at Oak Manufacturing in Crystal Lake for 20 years. She loved the Chicago Cubs and enjoyed knitting and crocheting. She was loved by her family, and she will be missed. Survivors include a son, Joseph (Nancy) Justen; eight grandchildren, Ted Justen, Robin Covington, Terri Davis, Joel Justen, David Justen, Crystal Blevins, Cathe Ladner and Lori Woolsey, and their spouses; 22 great-grandchildren; and 12 great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and eight brothers and sisters. The

Jeanette Kaminski

Jeanette Kaminski, 82, Woodstock, died Saturday, June 23, 2012, at Inpatient Unit of Hospice of Northeastern Illinois, Centegra Specialty Hospital, Woodstock. She was born Nov. 14, 1929, in Chicago, to Stanley and Julie (Lachcik) Kraus. On June 18, 1949, she married Roman S. Kaminski at Holy Innocents Church, Chicago. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Survivors include her husband; three sons, Paul (Betty), Thomas (Rita) and Kenneth Kaminski; five grandchildren, Amy (Sean) O’Brien and Chris, Krystin, Sarah and Beth Kaminski; two great-grandchildren, Ella and Miles O’Brien; and a sister, Lorraine Lapczynski. She was preceded in death by her parents; and a brother, Alvin Kraus. The visitation was June 25 and 26 at Colonial Funeral Home, McHenry.  The

Thomas G. Changelon

Thomas G. Changelon, 66, Wonder Lake, died Sunday, June 3, 2012.  He was born June 23, 1946. He was a veteran of the United States Army. Survivors include his wife, Helen (Ziel) Changelon; and a son, Dean Rodriguez. He was preceded in death by his parents, Percy and Evelyn (Yore) Changelon. Interment was in Ascension Cemetery, Libertyville.

Betty Lee Kellner

Betty Lee Kellner, 74, Woodstock, formerly of Crystal Lake, died Wednesday, June 20, 2012.  She was born Jan. 19, 1938, in Chicago to James and Ruth (Anderson) Goode. She grew up in Crystal Lake, raised her family in McHenry and then moved to Woodstock. She was a stay-at-home mom and later worked as a bookkeeper for companies including Citicorp, Cardinal Savings and Hill Top Center, all in Crystal Lake. In her free time she enjoyed quilting, sewing, gardening, bird watching and spending time with her family and grandchildren. Survivors include three sons, Michael (Cheryl) Kellner, Thomas (Linda) Kellner and Kenneth (Jeannine) Kellner; a daughter, Deborah Kellner; six grandchildren, Shane (Quincy) and Clover Campbell, Jennifer (Joe) Semro, Lindsay Kellner, Kelsey Kellner

O. Lee House

O. Lee  House, 91, Woodstock, died Friday, June 15, 2012, at Centegra Hospital-Woodstock. He was born June 23, 1921, in Cedar Grove, Tenn., to Jacob and Mattie (Leach) House. He was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran of World War II. Survivors include two sons, Ron (Ruthann) and Donald (Marian) House; seven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild. He was preceded in death by his wife, Florence; a daughter, Shirley; his parents; and six siblings. The funeral was June 20 at the Mausoleum Chapel of McHenry County Memorial Park, Woodstock. Funeral arrangements were made by Windridge Funeral Home, Cary.

Ralph O. Hunt

Ralph O. Hunt, 73, died June 3, 2012, in Woodstock. He was born June 24, 1938, in Woodstock to Kenneth and Florence (Blanchard) Hunt. He went by the nickname “Hap” because he was always helping others and was very happy about doing so. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and was on its board of trustees. He enjoyed being with his family. Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Ruth (Sherman); a daughter, Lori (Randy) Stock; a son, Craig Hunt; three grandchildren, Jason (Lexi) Stock, Wesley (Laura) Stock and Robert Markham; five great-grandchildren, Jordan, Jaydon and Kie Markham and Collin and McKenzie Stock; three sisters, Charlotte Emricson, Jeanette (Melvin) Brock and Cherry Kot; and a brother, Harold

Bernadette Nichols

Bernadette M. Nichols, 82, Wonder Lake, died Wednesday, June 13, 2012, at her home. She was born Sept. 10, 1929, in Chicago, to John and Mary (Ricky) Murray.  On Aug. 25, 1951, she married Harry R. Nichols at St. Sabina Church, Chicago. She worked as a beautician out of her home in Chicago for many years. She and her husband moved to Wonder Lake 28 years ago and spent their winters in Florida. She was a member of Christ the King Catholic Church, V.F.W. Post 4600 woman’s auxiliary, Wonder Lake Women’s Club and Women’s Investment Group. She was an outgoing person who loved people, was great with names, was a person people could always count on, an artist and an

Betty Hall

Betty Hall, 89, Woodstock, died Tuesday, May 29, 2012, at Valley Hi Nursing Home, Woodstock. She was born June 21, 1923, in Chicago, to William and Blanche Hoyt. She married Edward W. Hall in 1944. They moved to Woodstock in 1946. She was a busy mother of six children and a talented pianist.  She served as an organist at St. Ann’s Episcopal Church for many years, where she was an active member. She was also a member of the Woodstock Doe Club and an election volunteer. Survivors include four sons, Edward (Janet) Hall Jr., William (Judy) Hall, John Hall and James Hall; two daughters, Carol Hall and Susan (Robert) Falconer; eight grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. Her family wishes to acknowledge

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

City threatens legal action to repair or demolish collapsed Thompson’s Appliance building By Larry Loughlarry@thewoodstockindependent.com The Thompson…
The Rev. Michael Fuller, now Chaplain to His Holiness By Tricia Carzolinews@thewoodstockindependent.com Pope Leo XIV has bestowed the designation of “…

Subscriber Access

Login