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Obituaries

Marilyn Ohlrich, 86

Marilyn Ohlrich, 86, of Woodstock, passed away Dec. 27, 2022, at home with her loving family by her side. She was born in Johnsburg on April 25, 1936, the daughter of Peter H. and Martha (Brown) Smith. She married the late Carl Ohlrich on Oct. 19, 1957, in Johnsburg. Marilyn was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church and enjoyed crocheting, cross-stitch, playing cards, and spending her time with family. She is survived by her children, Sandi Thurnau, Terri (Mike) Hildreth, and Tom (Sherry) Ohlrich; grandchildren, Karlee Ohlrich, Eric Ohlrich, Richard (Haley) Hildreth, Erica (A.J. Slush) Hildreth, and Megan Hildreth; and a great-grandchild, Eloise Marilyn Hildreth, and one on the way. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband,

Steven L. Boswell, 78

Steven L. Boswell, 78, passed away Dec. 14 at Northwestern Hospital, Huntley. He was born on Jan. 31, 1944, in Clinton Ind., to Helen Maxine (Hartman) and Donald P. Boswell. The family moved to Woodstock in 1957. Steve attended Woodstock High School and was a founding member of the Woodstock High School golf team, a sport that he enjoyed throughout his life. After high school, he pursued employment with Montgomery Ward. A few years later he joined the Woodstock Police Department, where his father was also employed, and went on to work for the McHenry County Sheriff’s Department. Deciding to become an entrepreneur, he went into business with a friend, opening Sound Advice, a high-end stereo shop, on the Woodstock

Roy Passfield Jr., 91

Roy Passfield Jr., 91, of Woodstock passed away Dec. 5, 2022, at his home of some 62 years in Woodstock. He was born on July 13, 1931, in Wauconda, Ill., the son of Roy Sr. and Sarah (Dowell) Passfield. He married the late Marjorie (Weidner) Passfield on Sept. 29, 1956. Roy attended Central School in McHenry and Woodstock High School from 1945 until 1949. Roy joined the United States Air Force and served from 1950 until 1953 as an aircraft frame repairman. He was stationed in Korea from 1951 to 1952, repairing F-84 and F-86 fighter jets returning from combat. Roy received the Korean Service Medal, the UNS Medal, National Defense Medal, and Good Conduct Medal. He was also stationed

Dorothy Butler Barkwill, 89

Dorothy Butler Barkwill, 89, of Woodstock, went to be with her Lord on Dec. 7, 2022. Born on May 11, 1933, in Scranton, Pa., she was the daughter of Clarence and Margaret (Simpson) Butler.  Dorothy graduated from Dunmore High School in Dunmore, Pa., and Asbury College in Wilmore, Ky. Following college, she worked at the Otterbein Children’s Home in Lebanon, Ohio, and the Woodstock Children’s Home, followed by employment at the Methodist Publishing House in Chicago as private secretary to the editor of TOGETHER (a Methodist family magazine in the 1950s and ’60’). Dorothy was a member of the Woodstock Free Methodist Church, where she taught Sunday school for over 20 years. Following marriage, she was the church secretary as

John Paul Kunzie, 87

John Paul Kunzie, of Woodstock, passed away peacefully on Nov. 29 at the age of 87.Born Aug. 1, 1935, in Canton, Ill., John was the son of Karl Wilhelm and Helga Anina (Skafgaard) Kunzie. He grew up in DeKalb and graduated from Purdue University.  After working for Johns Manville and R.R. Donnelley, he founded John’s Lab, a model railroading supply company. In 1976, he moved his family to Woodstock and purchased Castolite Inc., which he ran until 2009.John dearly loved Woodstock as his adopted hometown. He served as a Woodstock Fire/Rescue District Trustee for 25 years. He mentored young people in 4-H, served on the church council at Grace Lutheran Church, and performed as a guest conductor several times for

Kenneth G. Filgenhour, 77

Kenneth G. Felgenhour, age 77, of Vonore, Tenn., passed away to heaven on Thursday, Nov. 22, 2022, due to complications from COVID.In late October, Mom and Dad vacationed in Nevada to visit their son Corey. The three of them went up to the Great Basin and did some hiking. While up there, somewhere, all three of them caught COVID; Mom and Corey recovered quickly, and Dad did not. Dad passed into glory with Mom, Corey, and son Corb at his side while daughter Megan was on the phone with him.Dad was an honorable man. He was faithful to his wife for 55 years. He was a hard worker who always provided for his family. He loved his kids and grandkids.

Virginia ‘Ginny’ Danielson, 86

On the morning of Nov. 29, 2022, Virginia “Ginny” Danielson passed away peacefully in her home.She was born in Elgin on Aug. 14, 1936, the daughter of Walter and Dorothy (Bahr) Wilke. She married Bernard Danielson in 1955.Ginny graduated from Marengo High School and worked for Busse Florist in Woodstock, then went on to work in food service as a cook for the Northwood School District 200.Ginny was very talented and enjoyed sewing, crocheting, knitting, cake decorating, cooking, and baking. She was involved in Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, and bowling. She enjoyed camping and was a member of the NCHA Woodstock chapter as a Woodstock Woodchuck and card club with the neighbors. Later in life she enjoyed spending her summers

James E. Higgins Sr., 87

James (Jim) E. Higgins, Sr. 87, of Woodstock, died peacefully Thursday Nov. 24, 2022, at JourneyCare inpatient unit in Barrington. Jim was born in Chicago on Oct. 13, 1935. After graduating from St. Rita High School, the class of 1953, he joined the U.S. Navy, where he trained as an aircraft mechanic. While in the Navy, he married Dorothea “Dotty” Nastro on Sept. 11, 1965. After that, they traveled the world together, including being stationed in Naples Italy. Jim served a total of 20 years with the Navy and retired in 1973.  At the time of his retirement, he was serving with the Hurricane Hunters in Florida, and when he met someone new, he always told them, “Yes I did

Robert L. Shook, 89

Born: April 7, 1933 Died: November 24, 2022 It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Robert Leroy Shook, 89, on November 24, 2022. Bob was born to Delmar and Isabel (Carlson) Shook, on April 7, 1933 in Woodstock, IL. He graduated from Woodstock High School in 1951. He then enlisted in the Army with his best friend Jack Sorensen and served in Korea for two years. Upon his return to the states, he met and fell in love with Joyce Berna whom he married on October 20, 1956. Together they created a beautiful family that continues to grow and flourish. Family remains the most important legacy Bob will be remembered for.   Bob enjoyed playing slow

Esther E. Wienke, 92

Esther E. Wienke, 92, was reunited with her past loved ones on Nov. 3, 2022. Esther was born July 18, 1930, in Woodstock to Gustaf and Kathrine (Madsen) Persson, the youngest of six children. The beloved mother, wife, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend passed away with family at her side after enduring cancer the past three years. Esther is survived by her sister, Mildred Luallen; children, Andrea Thompson, Dan (Janet) Sorenson, and Rick Sorenson; grandchildren, Jami (Cody) Sauber, Erica Thompson, Beth Sorenson, Kelsey (Matt) Schroeder, Andrew Sorenson, and Patrick Sorenson; great-grandchildren, Makayla Sauber and Charlie Schroeder; sister-in-law, Lois Range; many nieces and nephews, and lifelong friend Gloria Holy. She was preceded in death by her parents; siblings, Art Persson,

Top Writers

Larry Lough

Larry Lough

Larry Lough is editor of The Independent and reports local news.

Janet Dovidio

Janet Dovidio

Janet Dovidio has been a freelance correspondent for The Independent for eight years.

Susan W. Murray

Susan W. Murray

Susan W. Murray wrote for The Independent, covering various beats, from 2005 to 2008.

Tricia Carzoli

Tricia Carzoli

Tricia Carzoli is a freelance writer and photographer that on community news.

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