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Obituaries

Loretta Spingola, 96

Born: May 25, 1925, in Chicago Died: Dec. 2, 2021, in Elmhurst, Ill. Loretta Spingola, 96, of Elmhurst, Ill., died peacefully at home under hospice care on Dec. 2, 2021. She was born May 25, 1925, in Chicago to parents Jacob and Anna (Celar) Korenchan, who each had immigrated to Chicago from Yugoslavia in the early 1900s. She is the mother of Woodstock resident Janet Dovidio. Loretta married Joseph Spingola of Chicago in 1948. They lived in Elmhurst, where they raised five children. The family now includes 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. During her years as a homemaker, Loretta was a frequent volunteer for many groups, especially at her church, Visitation Catholic Church in Elmhurst. She played bridge several times

Gene A. Boelter, 77

Gene A. Boelter, age 77, of Woodstock, passed away Dec. 1, 2021, in Barrington with his loving family by his side. He was born in New London, Wis., on April 2, 1944, the son of Ruben and Inez (Verhagen) Boelter. He married Sandra Olcott on March 15, 1969, at Zion Lutheran Church in McHenry. Gene graduated from McHenry High School and a year later served in the Army from 1965 until 1967. He worked for Dean’s Foods for over 25 years as an over-the-road semi driver. After retiring from Dean’s, he was a school bus driver for District 200 for 25 years. Gene was a long-time member, elder, and altar guild of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Woodstock. He was

Sally G. Heydon, 88

Born: Aug. 26, 1933, in Coronado, Calif. Died: Nov. 14, 2021, in Woodstock Sally Heydon, 88, of Woodstock, passed peacefully at Valley Hi Nursing and Rehab after enduring more than 15 years with dementia. She was born Aug. 26, 1933, in Coronado, Calif., to Julian D. Greer and Eleanor Jones Greer.  Sally’s father was a naval aviator who graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy. He earned the rank of captain before being killed in a plane crash. Due to his nomadic military career, Sally had a charmed and well-traveled childhood, including living on Ipanema Beach, Rio, Brazil, where she attended three years of high school. Her family also lived in Hawaii, Rhode Island, Atlanta, and California several times.  Sally attended Miami of

Anna Bitschura, 89

Born: April 26, 1932, in Germany Died: Nov. 19, 2021, in Barrington, Ill. Anna Bitschura, 89, of Woodstock, died peacefully, in her sleep, on Nov. 19, 2021, at JourneyCare in Barrington, Ill. She was born April 26, 1932, in Germany to Joseph and Amalie (Beck) Mader. Anna graduated from professional school, as a seamstress, in 1952. Sewing was only one of a long list of skills that she maintained of efficiency and proficiency. She never backed down from a challenge and was always busy. She was an excellent cook, baker, loved to knit, crochet, garden, and make holiday snow angels. In her earlier years, she loved to go dancing with friends on Saturday nights. In the later years, she liked

George T. Kruse, 81

George T. Kruse, 81, of Lansing, Ill., formerly of Woodstock passed away on Sunday Nov. 21, 2021. George was born in Woodstock on July 15, 1940, to Victor and Josephine (Taylor) Kruse. He married Mary Genovese on May 4, 1968. He served in the U.S. Army. He worked as a certified public accountant for all his life. He loved staying involved with his family, his children, and grandchildren. He loved to golf and be involved in his grandchildren’s sports. He was loved and will be missed. He is survived by two sons, George David (Faith) Kruse and Brian Kruse; five grandchildren, Maddie, Christian, Taylor, Kevin, and Hannah; two sisters, Victoria (Paul) Thuma and Anna (Tim) Zahn; and many nieces and

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

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