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Obituaries

John Robert Hoag, 91

John Robert Hoag, of Lakewood, passed away Nov. 2, 2021, at the age of 91. He was born Oct. 6, 1930, in Cleveland, Ohio, the third of four children. John was drafted into the Army during the Korean War, serving as a sergeant in the Survey Corps. On returning, unable to afford college, he took a job as a waiter in Ithaca, N.Y., home of Cornell University, where he accidentally spilled a pitcher of beer on a young woman who would become his future wife. After moving to Chicago and starting his family, he became a salesman for a chemical wholesaling house, and it was not long before he decided to open his own company. With a loan from his

Christopher McLean Strong, 76

Born: Nov. 28, 1944 Died: Oct. 28, 2021 Christopher McLean Strong, born Nov. 28th, 1944, would not have wanted a standard obituary. He would have written it himself if he thought death was imminent. And he would want it to be humorous. His death took us by surprise on Oct. 28., 2021. We are left to try and do justice, knowing no one could write like he could. We may struggle with the humorous part.  Along with his wife, Victoria Galbraith Strong, the two most important things in Chris’s life were teaching and music. He taught tens of thousands of students during the 38 years he taught English, TV/radio, films, and advertising at Woodstock High School in Woodstock, Ill. He

Rhoda M. Repke, 86

Rhoda Repke, 86, a former resident of Woodstock and a nurse at Sunset Manor, died Friday, Oct. 22, 2021. A service was conducted Saturday, Oct. 30, in Gainesville, Ga.

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.

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