Trust the Torch!

Obituaries

Kristin Rylko, 41

Kristin Rylko, age 41, of Chicago (formerly of Woodstock), peacefully passed away at home in the company of family on June 9, 2021.Born to Christine Kozina and Joseph Rylko, beloved wife of Adil Khan, loving sister of Jeannette Rylko and aunt to Austin Gray, dear niece to Wanda and Stan Volp and Joann and Scott Flick. Godmother to Hailey Flick.Kristin attended St. Mary School and Woodstock High School. She continued her education with a degree from the University of Illinois, then received her J.D. from Kent School of Law at IIT in 2005 with high honors. While excelling at Kent, Kristin was named to the Who’s Who of upcoming lawyers. She followed her passion for law with the law firm

Ronald A. Knaack, 82

Ronald A. Knaack, 82, of Woodstock passed away peacefully on June 10, 2021, surrounded by his family after a long illness. Ron was born Sept. 3, 1938, in Woodstock, Ill., to Fred and Viola (Austin) Knaack. He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. Ron met the love of his life, Beatrice, in 1960, and they were married Sept. 16, 1961. Together they built a life filled with love and strong family values. He had many hobbies that include flying model airplanes in competitions and a collection of Corvettes. He had a passion for working on cars and was an excellent mechanic. His love for his family was exponential, and he loved spending infinite time with his family. He

Raymond Larsen, 84

Raymond Larsen, 84, of Woodstock, passed away on Sunday, June 13, 2021, at the Harvard Care Center in Harvard. He was born March 26, 1937, in Woodstock to Lewis and Sofie (Helm) Larsen. He married Dorothy Woellert on June 6, 1959, in Woodstock. Raymond was a dairy farmer his entire life. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1956 to 1957. He had been an elder trustee at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Woodstock and a trustee for Alden Township for many years. He enjoyed baseball, the Cubs, bowling, playing cards, and he loved spending time with his family. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy Larsen; sons, Roger (Kelli) Larsen and Randy (Felicia) Larsen; grandchildren, Katelynne and Cayden; a

Nancy Davis, 81

Nancy Davis, 81, of Woodstock, passed away at home in the company of family on June 12, 2021, in Woodstock. She was born Oct. 17, 1939, in Woodstock to Elmer and Loretta (Beth) Philipp. She married James Davis in 1958 in Woodstock. She and her husband met as students at Woodstock High School. Her career included administrative, insurance, and office management positions at the Woodstock Title Co., Kishwaukee Valley Medical Group, and the Special Education District of McHenry County, from which she retired. An avid crafter with her own active craft business, she re-created the craft fair at St. John’s Lutheran Church and ran the fair for 10 years. She and her husband enjoyed road trips, family gatherings, and time

Marilyn J. Stork, 82

Marilyn J. Stork, age 82, of Loves Park, Ill., died Monday, June 7, 2021, in her home, where she lived proudly and independently. Marilyn was surrounded, comforted, and loved by all three of her children during her last few days in her home. She was born Nov. 12, 1938, in Woodstock, Ill., to Edwin and Betty Lindvall. She graduated from Woodstock Community High School in 1956. While Marilyn was living in Woodstock she was involved in cheerleading and was crowned Miss Woodstock, Miss VFW, and Illinois Dairy Princess. She graduated from the College of Medical Technology in Minneapolis on Sept 13, 1957, and began her career working for a medical pediatrician in Wilmette. She married the love of her life,

Carroll D. Lohmeyer, 89

Carroll D. Lohmeyer, 89, of Woodstock, passed away on Sunday, June 6, 2021, in Woodstock. Mr. Lohmeyer was born July 4, 1931, in Linn, Kan. to Lawrence F. and Dora M. (Kriete) Lohmeyer. He married Margaret Vollmann on May 14, 1955, in Algonquin. He was a 1948 graduate of Woodstock High School. He would then proudly serve his country as an Air Force mechanic during the Korean War. After his service, he returned to the rural Woodstock area where he spent a lifelong career as a dairy and grain farmer. He served as a board member of the McHenry County Farm Service for 20 years. Carroll was a dedicated member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Woodstock, where he served

Diann (Petersen) Spear, 75

Diann (Petersen) Spear, born Aug. 13, 1945, passed away peacefully at her home in Billings, Montana, on Saturday, May 29, 2021. Diann was born to Arthur and Evelyn Petersen of Skokie, Ill. Her early childhood was spent in Skokie living in the house that her grandparents built. When she entered high school, her family moved to Woodstock, Ill., where she made many lifelong friends including the “Fab 7.” Diann went to college at Miami University of Ohio, where she majored in sociology. She married right out of college and started a family, all the while volunteering and being an activist for the Women’s Liberation Movement and starting a Montessori preschool when her daughter needed a preschool to attend and she

Jacquelyn Conger Leucht, 88

Jacquelyn Conger Leucht, 88, of Woodstock, passed away peacefully early in the morning of May 28, 2021, with her children by her side. She was born July 4, 1932, in Minneapolis, Minn., the daughter of Graydon Wright and Wanda (Haluptzok) Conger. She graduated from South Shore High School, Chicago, in December 1949. Jackie married Charles E. Leucht on July 8, 1950, at St. Philip Neri Church, Chicago. In 1953 she and Chuck moved to Woodstock, building the Schneider Leucht Funeral Home with her mother and stepfather, Elmer Schneider. Jackie helped with clerical duties, later working 20 years for Dr. John C. Paul as receptionist, then five years with Joslyn and Green Law Office. A longtime member of St. Mary Catholic

Richard Alvin Baker, 74

Richard Alvin Baker, age 74, died in his home in Woodstock, Ill., on the morning of May 27. Dick was born in Mineral Point, Wis., on Nov. 23, 1946, son of Al and Ginny Baker, brother to Donna and Jerry. After graduating from Janesville High School, he earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and a master’s degree in education from Western Michigan University. In 1968, Dick began a 40-year career at Big Foot High School in Walworth, Wis., where he taught math and English; coached the baseball, basketball, and math teams; and supervised several clubs and activities. He was a brilliant educator, known and loved not only for his commitment to the students in his

Dick Emil Polnow, 54

Born: March 5, 1967 Died: May 20, 2021 in Rockford, Ill. Dick Emil Polnow, 54, of Marengo, died Thursday, May 20, 2021, from complications of COVID at OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center, Rockford. Dick was born March 5, 1967, to Richard and Arlene (Schiller) Polnow in Woodstock. He worked hard his entire life starting at Freund International as a mechanic. In 1989, he was employed with Marengo Disposal as the shop manager. From that position he became division team leader with Waste Connections at the time of his death. Dick married his high school sweetheart, Suzanne (Brandt) Polnow, in September 1989. They resided in Marengo, and Dick became a family man. His family and friends were always his top priority. 

Upcoming Events

Top Writers

Picture of Larry Lough

Larry Lough

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

Picture of Janet Dovidio

Janet Dovidio

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

Picture of Susan W. Murray

Susan W. Murray

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

Picture of Tricia Carzoli

Tricia Carzoli

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

Keep Exploring

Woodstock High School senior Ellery Shutt had a record day at the Illinois Indoor Championship in Chicago March 28, dropping almost 10 seconds from hi…

Subscriber Access

Login