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Obituaries

William “Bill” J. Kline, 77

William “Bill” J. Kline, a resident of Fort Myers, Fla., and formerly of Woodstock, passed away peacefully on Oct. 22, 2021, at the age of 77. Bill was born in Woodstock on April 25, 1944, to Ray and Martha Kline. He attended Woodstock High School where he met his wife, Marilyn (Wernstrum), and graduated in 1962. Bill and Marilyn were married on July 18, 1964.  Bill is survived by his beautiful wife, Marilyn, of 57 years; his daughters, Kimberly (Art) Kozak and Nicole (James) Horvat; grandchildren, Cassandra (fiancé Sam McDaid) Barrett, Thomas Barrett, Tyler Barrett, Andrew Horvat, and Annalise Horvat. He is also survived by his brother, James (Rita) Kline, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his

Patricia Ann Kapus, 85

Patricia Ann Kapus, age 85, of Woodstock, passed away peacefully on Oct. 21, 2021. Patricia was born Dec. 13, 1935, in Chicago, Ill., to Raymond and Anne (Kukla) Kunkel. Patricia was a mother of five children, Chris (Karen) Kapus, Ken (Beata) Kapus, Kathy (Steve) Palek, Karen Brady, and Kelly (Daryl) Blasy. She had nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Patricia was a fun-loving person and was not one to shy away from pranks here or there. She was an active participant of programs and organizations in Woodstock, where her fun spirit touched many lives. She was preceded in her death by her parents, Raymond J. and Anne Kunkel, and a sister, Carol Maday. She is survived by Robert (Jan) Kapus; her five children; a

Evelyn Mae Farver, 92

Evelyn Mae Farver, 92, died peacefully on Oct. 24, 2021, at Valley Hi Nursing Home in Woodstock. She was born, Sept. 6, 1929, in Byron, Ill. She was married to Gerald E. Farver until their divorce in 1972. She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Kathryn Rieken; a sister, Mary Alice Gould (Raymond); and a son, Keith Alan Farver. She is survived by a son, Kenneth E. Farver (Julie), of Woodstock; two granddaughters, Kristin Harris (Denver), of Wichita, Kan., and Amy Kiefer (Matthew), of Highland Park, Ill.; and three great-grandchildren, Kaleb Wetta, and Julia and Noelle Kiefer. Private burial will be Friday, Oct. 29, 2021, at Ebenezer Reformed Church, Oregon, Ill. Memorials may be made to Ebenezer Reformed

Nancy Pearl Beckwith, 85

Nancy Pearl Beckwith left this world Oct.16, 2021, at the age of 85 after a courageous battle with breast cancer. She was born to William and Ellen (Smith) Wurtzinger on Aug. 24, 1936, in Ringwood, Ill. After high school she worked as a secretary in Chicago. On September of 1960 she married George Beckwith Jr. and became a stay-at-home mom to her daughter, Kristi. After her divorce she went back to work as a secretary for Sears Roebuck in Chicago and Hoffman Estates. Nancy loved Motown music, watching British mysteries on TV, traveling to different countries, and dancing. She could bust quite a move on occasion. Nancy was a lifelong parishioner at St. Mary Catholic Church in Woodstock. She was

Bob Kelly, 85

Bob Kelly, 85, died suddenly, but peacefully, on Oct. 2, 2021, at his cabin on Big Sand Lake in Phelps, Wis. First as a Navy pilot and then a 32-year-career as a United Airlines pilot, he spent his retirement fishing, hunting, and gardening. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Carolyn; two sons; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Donations can be made to the Woodstock Food Pantry or the Joe Carnes Scholarship Fund, run by the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois, 946 N. Second St., Rockford, IL 61107.

Robert Christopher Hughes, 82

Robert Christopher Hughes, 82, passed away peacefully at his home in rural Woodstock on Sept. 30, 2021.  It is with sadness, grief, and melancholy that we are mourning his death. He was born on June 14, 1939, in Urbana, Ill., to his parents, Mildred Shuman Hughes and Earl Mulford Hughes Sr. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Genevieve Gentes Hughes; his daughter, Susan June Hughes; son, William Christopher (Melissa) Hughes; grandchildren, Ryan David and Olivia Ellen Hughes,; sister, Helen (Nicholas) Voyadgis; and brother, Earl M. Hughes Jr. He was preceded in death by his parents and son, John Robert Hughes. He founded Hughes Hybrids Inc. in 1967, the year Susan was born, along with his friend Robert

Doris Evelyn Davis Gallagher, 85

Doris Evelyn Davis Gallagher, 85, passed away with family by her side in Livingston, Mont., on Sept. 5, 2021. She was a longtime resident of Bull Valley and had been oresident of the Bull Valley Association. Survivors include her husband, George Gallagher. A memorial for Doris will be held at the home of Jackie and Len Kaufmann, N3804 Bowers Road, Lake Geneva, Wis., with an open house on Saturday, Oct. 9, from 1 to 4 p.m. Sharing of memories will be at 2:30. Food and drinks will be provided. Please RSVP to Jackie at 262-374-1105.

Rebecca Regina Bell, 27

Rebecca Regina Bell passed away far too young in Clarksville, Tenn., on Sept. 19, 2021. She was born on Sept. 13, 1994, as Shantay Murphy in Cincinnati, Ohio, and lovingly adopted in August of 1996 by Wiley and Regina Bell. Becca attended North Avondale Montessori School in Cincinnati and Rossview High School in Clarksville, graduating in 2013. She continued her education and went on to earn her CNA license. In 2020, she earned specialized training certification in cyber security. She will be remembered by everyone fortunate enough to know her for her beautiful soul, glowing smile, contagious laugh, fearless and outgoing nature, sense of humor, and love for animals. Her dogs and birds brought her great joy. She is survived

Virginia Anna McCabe, 101

Virginia Anna McCabe passed away on Sept.21, 2021, at Bickford of Crystal Lake. She was born on Oct. 6, 1919, in Frog Hollow, Na-Au-Say Township, Kendall County, Ill. Ginny was married to Robert James McCabe in Naperville on Feb. 16, 1946, and they spent 62 happy years together until his passing in 2008. In addition to Bob, Virginia was preceded in death by her parents, Frank S. and Magdalene (Springborn) Gould; brother George; and sister-in-law Lois, son James and daughter-in-law Linda, and grandson Wesley. She is survived by children Ken (Becky) McCabe, Randall (Janice Hume) McCabe, and Debra (Doug) Anderson; grandchildren Jesse (Rachel) McCabe, Michael (Summer) McCabe, Emily McCabe, Nora McCabe, Sarah (Scott) Anderson, Laura (TJ) Anderson, Tony (Janet) Fyock,

William (Willie) D. Peto, 62

William (Willie) D. Peto, 62, passed away unexpectedly on Sept. 12, 2021.  Willie is survived by his life partner of 25 years, Trina May; his mother, Wanda (Curry/Peto) Valdez; his son, Erik (daughter-in-law Kimberly); grandson, Ryland; brother, Calvin Joe; sister-in-law, Imelda (Emy) Peto; sister, Gail (Steve) Barth; brother, Terry; brother, Ron (Beth) Couch; and sister, Lauren (Tom) Ungaro. He leaves behind nine nieces and nephews and too many people to count that he considered family. Willie was born on Nov. 22, 1958, in Harlan, Ky., to Wanda and Calvin Turner. At the age of 8 he moved to Chicago, where he was raised with his siblings by his mother and William (Bill) Peto, who he considered his dad. He attended

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Larry Lough

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

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Janet Dovidio

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

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Susan W. Murray

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

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

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