Stephen Carl Rust, of Findlay, Ohio, left this earthly life peacefully, unexpectedly and suddenly on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2026. He was born in Bryan, Ohio on July 25, 1952, living a life devoted to God, caring for his family and enjoying life to the fullest each day.  Stephen, or “Rusty” as he liked to be called in recent years, was born to the late Rev. Harold C. and Anna Heller Rust. The son of a pastor, he lived in Bryan, Ohio, Baltimore, MD, Wheeling, WV and then Oak Harbor, OH during his youth. He was a state cross country and track qualifier in high school. After graduating from Triadelphia High School (Wheeling), he attended Capital University (Columbus, OH), participating

Rosemary Elizabeth Watkins Belmonte of Woodstock, Illinois passed away peacefully on January 14, 2026 at the Lutheran Homes in Arlington Heights, Illinois. She was born on August 30, 1929, in Washington, D.C. at National Homeopathic Hospital. The daughter of Benjamin E. and Frances (Jones) Watkins. On January 30, 1965 she married the love of her life Leonard S. Belmonte at St. Tarcissus Catholic Church in Chicago, Illinois. She received a Bachelor’s of Arts degree from DePaul University, and a Master’s degree in History from the University of Illinois at Champaign/Urbana. She taught at, and later was the first principal of the Lincoln School in Schiller Park. She was a life long member of the National Society Daughters of the American

Bruce Woodruff Anderson passed away in Chicago with loved ones at his side on Monday, December 29, 2025. He was a kind and engaging man who sought to love and serve God, his family, and others. Bruce was born in Boulder City, Nevada, on June 29, 1944. He moved with his family to Tennessee as an infant and graduated from Oak Ridge High School. He enjoyed participating in the marching band then and later, in college. He attended Brigham Young University before and after his two-year church mission to Northern Mexico. He loved the Mexican people and maintained fluent Spanish for the rest of his life. After his return to BYU, Bruce met Susan Albrechtsen on a blind date and

Roger Wilson, 79, of Maryville, TN, passed away on January 12, 2026 in his home, surrounded by family. Born in Macomb, IL on April 9, 1946, Roger was raised on a family farm near Table Grove, IL. He attended school in the consolidated district of V.I.T. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Monmouth College, IL in 1968. Along with his wife, Geneva (Haney) Wilson, Roger moved to Woodstock, IL where would spend his entire career in education in the Woodstock school system. In 1970, he was drafted into the U.S. Army serving primarily at Ft. Polk, LA until his honorable discharge in 1971. Following his military service, Roger earned his Master’s Degree in Business Education at Western

John Ronald “Ron” Beckel, 82, of Apple River, Ill., passed away Dec. 20, 2025, surrounded by family.  A U.S. Air Force veteran, Ron served as a jet engine mechanic during the Panama Crisis and Vietnam War.  Born March 10, 1943, in Chicago, Ron grew up in Crystal Lake and graduated from Mankato State, where he met the love of his life, Carolyn, his wife of 54 years. Ron was a Country Companies insurance agent for 27 years. Ron and Carolyn raised their family in Woodstock and retired to Apple Canyon Lake and Sun City West, Ariz.  Survived by wife, Carolyn; children, Heather (Mike) Connolly and Matt (Jill) Beckel; grandchildren Hannah (fiancé Brodie Eddington), Nathan, and Alyssa Connolly, and Charlie Beckel;

Peggy Louise Carlson was born on February 17, 1926, to Louise Marie (Graesing) Wagner and William Martin Wagner. She passed away peacefully at age 99 in Woodstock, Illinois, after a lifetime of love and service to others. Peggy was a longtime resident of Crystal Lake and Woodstock, Illinois. Peggy attended Woodstock schools, where she was a friend to everyone and excelled academically. In high school she was chosen as May Queen, Prom Queen, and Homecoming Queen before being named Valedictorian of her senior class. In 1948, Peggy married Don Hansen and together they built a life centered on family, hard work, and community service. Peggy’s passion was caring for others. Inspired by her cousin Mildred Nagle, she chose a career

Raymond L. Kohl, 70, of Woodstock, passed away on Nov. 23, 2025. Ray was a man who took great pride in providing for those he loved. He was a loyal husband, a devoted father, and the kind of grandfather every child hopes for. He was steady, warm, and endlessly supportive. Born on Nov. 17, 1955, Ray was the son of Raymond and Loretta Kohl. From a young age, he carried with him the values of hard work, creativity, and unwavering dedication. These traits remained at the core of who he was throughout his life. On April 29, 1978, Ray married the love of his life, Tammie (Gehrke), and together they built a family grounded in love, laughter, and teamwork. He

Charles L. (“Charlie” or “Chuck”) Burgess of Woodstock passed away in the early morning hours of Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, at SSM Health Monroe, Wis., Hospital, after a brief illness related to cancer complications. Born July 27, 1938, in Orchard Township, Wayne County, Ill., his heart always belonged to “southern Illinois.” Charlie was an accomplished union contractor and owner of Burgess Construction for many years, and he was very proud of the family home he built in 1965 on Raycraft Road. After his body rebelled from years of physical labor, he worked for Independent Inspections LTD as a building inspector in small communities in northern Illinois, including Wonder Lake and Lake In the Hills.  Charlie always valued the many friendships