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 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, 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

Elizabeth A. Archambault, 89, Tucson, Ariz., passed away Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021, in Beloit, Wis. She was born Feb. 1, 1932, in Elgin, Ill., to the late Charles and Anna (Hoornaert) Van Acker. She was a graduate of Whitewater High School, class of 1949. On Oct. 10, 1953, Elizabeth married Robert L. Archambault in Elkhorn, Wis. They moved to Spokane, Wash., where Robert served in the United States Air Force. He would precede her in death on July 12, 1999.  Elizabeth owned and operated the Ceramic Bug in Marengo, Ill., for many years before selling and then moving to Footville, where she and Robert would own, operate, and start the Archambault Asphalt Sealing Co., which is still in the family

Gerald M. Smith Jr., 70, of Woodstock, passed away on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021, at the Northwestern Hospital in Huntley. He was born Feb. 28, 1951, in Evergreen Park to Gerald M. and Marjorie H. (Carlson) Smith Sr. He married JoAnn (Deady) Mitchell on July 2, 1994, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Woodstock. Jerry graduated from St. Mary Elementary School in 1965 and Marian Central Catholic High School in 1969. He attended McHenry Community College and the University of Illinois-Champaign. He had worked for the Green Giant Co.; and was a Realtor with Gerald M. Smith and Associates; executive director of the Woodstock Chamber of Commerce; and a project manager at Fabric Images. Jerry was very active in many

Randall (Randy) Allen Goebbert, 67, of Woodstock, passed away Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. Randy was born Oct. 2, 1953, to Harry and Marion (Wacker) Goebbert in Wayne, Neb. Randy was a graduate of Woodstock High School in 1971. He was a wrestler and a football player, and he attended the Outward Bound Program in Utah. This is when his love of photography started. He developed film and printed his own pictures, and marveled at the work of Ansel Adams. Randy earned a bachelor’s degree from Southern Illinois University in 1975. Randy was a big music lover, of all types of music. He was his younger brother Rick’s biggest musical influence. During their high school years, he brought home all of

Carol Raffel, 90, of Woodstock, passed away on Aug. 30, 2021, at her home in Woodstock. She was born May 9, 1931, to Ralph and Cora (Wilcox) Stecker in Greenwood Township. She married Ferdinand “Ferd” H. Raffel Jr., on Dec. 13, 1953, at the First United Methodist Church in Woodstock. Carol worked as a cashier for Bohn’s Ace Hardware in Woodstock for 29 years. She was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Woodstock for 65 years and was a member of the Sewing Circle, where she contributed to making lap quilts for nursing homes for those in need. Her hobbies were making baby quilts, needlepoints, and dish towels, to name a few. She enjoyed sewing and embroidery, as well

Mary Chris Stieg, 57, of Woodstock, was put into God’s hands as an angel on Saturday, Aug. 28, at OSF St. Anthony Medical Center. She was born Dec. 21, 1963, to Audrey (Mathews) and John Hardt in Woodstock. Loving wife of Michael Stieg, they were married on July 8, 2000, at the family farm where she grew up and later purchased to continue married life and to raise their three daughters. Mary had worked at DB Hess for 30 years until they closed, then she went on to work at the McHenry County Government Center. Mary was a kind, loving person with an infectious giggle and smile. She was a constant companion to Mike and a rock for her girls.

Henry Arnold Schmarje, age 73, passed away Aug., 24, 2021, at the home of his son, Henry, with his family by his side. He was born Dec. 9, 1947, in Woodstock, Ill., the son of Ralph and Lillian (Habbley) Schmarje. He graduated from Woodstock High School class of 1967. He was drafted and served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam from 1967 to 1969. He enjoyed spending time with his family, NASCAR, football, and hanging out at Colemans in Crystal Lake. Henry worked at Curran Contracting, Toastmaster, and retired from Rongo. He loved to help anyone that needed it.  Henry is survived by his son, Henry (Jenni); grandchildren, Syleena (Alex) Sunderlage and Lexi, Kya, Madison, Jarret and Faith Schmarje; great-grandchildren,