Our beloved mother, Mary Jane Gruner, 95, of Reno, Nev., passed away after a brief illness on Saturday, Sept. 17. She was born Sept. 26, 1926, in Chicago, the daughter of Jessica Edell and stepfather Leon Edell. Mom grew up in Chicago and attended Jones Technical High School. It was at Jones that she met our father, Robert (Bob) Gruner. After dad completed his Navy service, they were married on Sept. 21, 1946. As they began raising their family, they moved to northeastern Illinois and resided in Huntley and eventually Woodstock. They had a great family life and had numerous lifelong friends. Mom worked in hospital admissions at Woodstock Memorial Hospital and also was a past member of the American

Jan. 31, 1944-June 9, 2022 Katherine Anne Kohl passed away on June 9, 2022, at her home in Oklahoma City, Okla.She was born Jan. 31, 1944, to Raymond G. Kohl and Loretta B. Kohl (Peaslee) in Woodstock. She was the first of four children.She attended Woodstock Community High School and graduated 1962. She attended Carthage College, first in Illinois and then in Kenosha, Wis. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in education (science and art).She taught school in Iowa and then in Oklahoma City schools from 1969 to 2012. She taught middle school and high school. Her accolades ranged from Teacher of the Year to numerous acknowledgements for students with the most improved grades. Kathy enjoyed being outdoors. She loved

Joseph Goodman, age 26, of Woodstock, unexpectedly passed away Sept. 8, 2022 at his home. He was born in Barrington on Jan. 1, 1996, the son of Ken “Duke” and Heidi (Homola) Goodman. He enjoyed skateboarding, drawing, playing the drums, X-Box, and camping. He loved his mother’s amazing cooking and hanging out with his best friend Ivan. Joey is survived by his father, Kenneth “Duke” Goodman of Woodstock;his mother, Heidi Goodman of Anna, Texas; his brother, David Goodman of Anna, Texas; his maternal aunts and uncles, Jeff (Suzy) Homola, Terri (Pierre) Verbecken, Tim Homola, Mandi Friedman, Jaci (Greg) Grana, and Robi (Glen) Vollkommer; his paternal grandma, Carolyn (John) Goodman; aunts, Terry Goodman and Lisa (K.C.) Tomsheck; cousins, Alex, Colette and

Vernon Lyle Schiller, 85, of McHenry, died at home peacefully Monday, Sept. 5, 2022. He was born on May 5, 1937, in Marshfield, Wis.n, the 10th of 11 children to Paul K. and Lillian (Stover) Schiller. On June 6, 1959, Vern married Jean Ann Springman at the Methodist Church in Woodstock. They enjoyed raising four daughters while farming the 600 acres, 1,200 head cattle operation, Shamrock Beef Cattle Farm in McHenry.  Vern served 60 years in the beef industry, 12 years on the McHenry County Farm Bureau Board, and 10 years on the Board of the Illinois Beef Association with many trips to Springfield, Washington, D.C., and Japan during the mad cow disease. He also served eight years on the

Barbara B. Carroll, 91, a lifelong resident of Woodstock, died, Aug. 31, 2022, at Northwestern McHenry Hospital. She was born April 11, 1931, at Woodstock Hospital, South Street, to Frank H. and Madaline O. (Lang) Beilke, who predeceased her. On May 19, 1951, she married Edward E. Carroll at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Hartland. After celebrating a great marriage of 45 years, her beloved husband preceded her in death on Dec. 16, 1996. She graduated in 1949 from Woodstock Community High School with the class known as the “49ers.” She was an executive legal secretary/office manager in Woodstock law firms of Carroll, Leali & Gitlin, and law office of Louis F. Aiello, for 38 years, retiring in 1998. She

JoAnn Smith, 69, of Woodstock, passed away on Aug. 28, 2022, at Northwestern Medicine in McHenry. She was born Aug. 18, 1953, in Chicago to John J. and Kathleen H. (Higgins) Deady. She married Gerald M. “Jerry” Smith on July 2, 1994. JoAnn was raised in Streamwood. and graduated in 1971 from Larkin High School in Elgin. She worked at various jobs, including Baird & Warner Real Estate in St. Charles, and the Northwest Herald in Crystal Lake. She also was a longtime Mary Kay Consultant.  She was a member of the Illinois Jaycees, served as a chapter, region and state officer; was awarded the United States JCI Senate No. 51107 and served as state president of the Illinois JCI

Melissa Rae (Canto) O’Leary, 38, passed away on Aug. 25, 2022, at Northwestern Medicine Hospital in McHenry. In death, Melissa would go on to save lives through organ donation. Melissa was born in Woodstock on Jan.27, 1984, to Reynaldo and Elisa Canto. She attended St. Mary Catholic School and Woodstock High School. Even in her youth, Melissa knew she wanted to make the world a better place. She received a Bachelor of Arts in education from Northern Illinois University in 2006 and began her career as a special education teacher. Melissa transitioned to work as a school social worker after earning a Master’s of Social Work from George Williams College of Aurora University in 2016. She worked for Woodstock School

Robert James Leverenz was born Feb. 23, 1960, in Elgin, Ill., to Esther Kabrick and Arthur Leverenz. Rob passed into the arms of his Savior, Jesus, on Aug. 24, 2022, with his loving wife at his side.  Rob had a lifelong battle with tuberous sclerosis and intractable seizures but always remained positive. Rob married the love of his life, Cindy Nelson, on Oct. 1, 1994. They were blessed to have three wonderful children, Noah, Jonah, and Hope. Rob leaves behind his wife; children; mother, Esther Kabrick; and two brothers, Jeff (Gail) Leverenz and Dave (Vicki) Leverenz; two nephews, Derek and Daniel; and a niece, Lauren. He was preceded in death by his father.  Rob loved his children and all of