Robert Todd Vieregg, of Northbrook, Ill., died on Dec. 11, 2025. Todd was born in 1934 and raised in Woodstock. After he graduated from Michigan State University in 1955, he and his parents opened a restaurant in Woodstock, which his parents operated until their retirement in 1971.  Todd entered the U.S. Navy in 1956, attaining the rank of lieutenant, and became a carrier-based jet fighter pilot, primarily flying FJ-3D aircraft. He served aboard the USS Lexington during its 1958 Western Pacific cruise. Todd was one of only a very few pilots qualified to deliver and independently detonate the Regulus 1 guided missile, which carried a 50-kiloton nuclear warhead. He was very happy that he never had to deliver and detonate

Autumn Lorraine Mather was born in Virginia on Oct. 3, 1975. She spent her early years living in the Tidewater area of Virginia before the family moved to Woodstock.  Following graduation from Woodstock High School, Autumn completed a bachelor’s degree with honors (Phi Beta Kappa) in English and art history from Sweet Briar College, Sweet Briar, Va. She completed advanced studies in London, England, at the Christie’s Graduate Program. Those programs were precursors to her taking graduate degrees master’s from the University of Chicago (Liberal Arts), and Dominican University (library acience).  For more than 20 years, Autumn was a librarian – a career she loved – where she worked at a variety of Chicago institutions. She was a reference librarian

Shelly Ann (Emricson) Eslick, age 63, passed away peacefully on April 23, 2026, leaving behind a lifetime of love, devotion, and cherished memories.  She was born April 5, 1963 in Woodstock, IL to LaVern Emricson and Charlotte (Hunt) Emricson.  Shelly graduated from Harvard High School in 1981 and went on to dedicate 42 years to her family business, Emtech Machining & Grinding, in Woodstock. Her strong work ethic and steadfast commitment were a reflection of her character and the pride she took in supporting her family and community. On April 1, 1987, Shelly was united in marriage to her beloved husband, Tom Eslick. Together they shared 39 years of love, partnership, and unwavering devotion, building a life centered on family.

On the evening of Saturday, April 18, 2026, Martin Adelphia, Sr., 75, of Woodstock, Illinois, put both feet on the rainbow at home, surrounded by family. Part union electrician, part wise guy, Marty never missed a chance to deliver a one-liner. He may be best known for putting those electrician skills to use each Halloween, building a yard full of animatronic talking witches, spitting skeletons, and flying ghosts. He enjoyed off-track horse betting , often “keeping an eye on the ponies”, and loved fishing with Mary and his grandchildren on Lake Delevan – Baba was always ready to fix a rod, hook a worm, or take a fish off for a quick picture, and nothing beat his fried bluegill… unless

John J. Torres, 57, of Woodstock, passed away Friday, April 17, 2026 at his home in Woodstock.  He was born in San Antonio, TX on March 24, 1969 to John F. Torres and Donna M. Pickell, now Edwards.  John spent the majority of his life in McHenry County, attending schools in Woodstock and Wonder Lake, making lifelong friends; and using his love of conversation to make new ones in his adult years.  John spent many years working on over the road trucks.  He often said how grateful he was to have the opportunity to see our beautiful country.  He shared many stories about his adventures.  He had a wide variety of interests.  He loved music and playing the guitar, geography and maps, and watching sports.  He loved history, especially military history.  He memorized countless facts and stories

James Allen “Jim” Campion, 79, of Woodstock, passed away in his home surrounded by love on April 19, 2026. Jim was born in Rockford on February 2, 1947, son of O’Neill and Catherine (Deininger) Campion. Jim married his college sweetheart Barbara Schuerings on August 2, 1969 and they shared 56 years together.  They raised three wonderful daughters, Jeannine (Chad) Hadzima, Angela (Craig) Russell, and Ann-Marie (Craig) Cudzilo.  They have six grandchildren, Rebecca, Theresa, and Julia Hadzima, Carina and Christian Cudzilo, and Annelise Russell. Jim attended Rockford Catholic schools and Boylan High School.  He majored in Sociology at St. Norbert College, where he graduated cum laude in 1969.  He then received his Juris Doctorate cum laude from Northwestern University School of Law in 1972.  While in

Family and friends are mourning the passing of John T. McGowan, aged 71, of Woodstock, Illinois on April 7, 2026. John leaves his wife of 38 years, Scarlet, their two children, Colin, and Alyson Shaughnessy (Andrew), and his goddaughter, Carrie Beth Waghorn. His surviving siblings are Mary Weems (Thomas), Susan Case (Ken), Jean Kline (Jon), and Patrick. John was predeceased by his parents, Thomas and Helen (Simsbury, Connecticut), and brother-in-law Thomas Weems. Born in Rockville Centre, New York, on January 28, 1955, John carried the quintessential traits of a New Englander – frugality, honesty, directness, with a steadfast commitment to fair play and the traditional values of home and family. An intelligent, quirky sense of humor with an overlay of

Sherry Lee (Beyer) Cown of Loganville, GA, passed away on Sunday, March 29, 2026. A Memorial Service was held on Sunday, April 12, 2026, in the Loganville Chapel of Tim Stewart Funeral Home.  Sherry was born in Woodstock, IL on October 11, 1960, to Harold and Nancy Beyer. She was the youngest of 4 siblings and attended Robert Morris College in Carthage, IL. Sherry was a devoted mother and a pillar of her community. She poured her heart into her children’s lives. Whether she was reading in their classrooms, stepping in as a substitute teacher, or cheering from the sidelines of band practice, softball games or gymnastics, she was always present. Sherry was a fierce humanitarian who lived by the

Peggy Joyce (Schwake) Benedict, 76, passed away on April 9, 2026, in Poplar Grove, Illinois. She was born in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin to William and Anita (Messmann) Schwake on February 19, 1950. Peggy graduated from Woodstock High School in the class of 1968. She worked at Union Special in Huntley, Illinois for many years. She also worked at Follett Library Resource in McHenry for several years. She enjoyed traveling, camping, fishing, and listening to country music. She loved her family, her cats, and the Chicago Cubs. She is survived by her siblings, Carole Sova, Jim (Eunice) Schwake, Nancy McMillan, and Kathy Ingram; her nieces and nephews, Debbie (Jim) Boettcher, Robert (Belinda) Sova, Kevin (Connie) Sova, Keith (Barb) Sova, Larry (Patsy)

Robert (Bob) Webster, 85, of Woodstock, passed away peacefully on Dec. 15, 2025, at Valley Hi Nursing Home. He was born on April 21, 1940, in Harvard, Ill., to Bernard and Eleanor Webster. He married Diana (Alvarez) Webster on Feb. 27, 1960; she preceded him in death on Ja. 19, 2021. Bob was a devoted husband, loving father, and proud grandpa and great-grandpa. He and Diana were blessed with four children: Theresa (Dan Buss), Daniel (Beth), Ralph (Kristen), and Heather (Brett Heidtke). His greatest joy was becoming grandpa to his eight grandchildren: Jarrad (Becky), Jamie (Rob Ehlenburg), Tyler (Kate), Bryce (Allie), Tate, Taylor (Kayla), Payton, and Aj; as well as his 15 great-grandchildren: Sophia, Oliver, Hudson, Patton, Ari, Boden, Magnolia,