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

Janet Lynn Voss, 73, passed away peacefully on Friday, Nov. 14, 2025, at JourneyCare Hospice in Barrington, Ill. Janet was born on May 4, 1952, in Kokomo, Ind. She had lived in Hoffman Estates and Schaumburg prior to living in McHenry County near Woodstock for the past 38 years. She is survived by her husband, Gary; her son, Kyle; and five siblings, Jo Ellen, James, Marcia, Gayle, and Amy. She was preceded in death by her parents, Richard and Mary Ellen Cope, and a sibling, Elizabeth. She was a loving wife to her husband Gary, a loving mother to her son Kyle, and a loving dog mom to her French bulldog. “Piper.” She was actively involved in the showing, breeding,

Ruth Ellen (Stahlecker) Rish, age 62, of Tustin, Michigan, passed away peacefully on October 30, 2025. She was born on May 3, 1963, in Woodstock, Illinois, to Dr. Helmuth A. and Vera R. Stahlecker.  Ruth dedicated her life to caring for others as a devoted nurse, and her compassion and gentle spirit touched the lives of countless patients, friends, and family members. Ruth was a loving and devoted wife of 30 years to her husband, Ronald Greg Rish.  She is also survived by her siblings: Tim Stahlecker, Cadillac, MI; Helmuth (Sandy) Stahlecker, Lebanon, OH; and Karen Stahlecker, Woodstock, IL; plus her cousins, and many nieces & nephews. Outside of her career, Ruth found joy in the simple and beautiful things in

Alice Irene Jenne, 94, of Marengo, died on Oct. 22, 2025. Alice was born in 1930 in a log farmhouse in Hansen Hollow, Akan Township, Wis., to farmers Andy and Mary (Dalberg) Hansen. She often reminisced about her childhood on the family farm, surrounded by family and close friends. Even years later, she delighted in showing new family members the place where it all began, proudly sharing the history of Hansen Hollow. Alice attended a small country school and graduated from Soldiers Grove High School before marrying Paul Koch on June 9, 1948. Together, they raised five children while farming in the area. In 1958, the family moved to Marengo, where they managed a large farm for several years before

John A. Radka died on Thursday, Oct. 23, at Harbor Village Assisted Living in Greendale, Wis. John was a native of Bloomington, Ill., and a more recent resident of Champaign after his retirement of 24 years as assistant superintendent of business and operations for the Woodstock schools. He was born in Bloomington to John and Anna Mulgrue Radka and graduated from Central Catholic High School, where he participated in all major sports and dramatics. He was also an active member of Bloomington’s two theater groups, The Community Players and the Playcrafters. He received his undergraduate and graduate degrees from Illinois State University, a Certificate of Advanced Study from Western Illinois University, and he pursued additional graduate study at the University