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Obituaries

Ann Tirk, 80

Born: Aug. 7, 1942, Hartford, Wis. Died: Nov. 3, 2022, Barrington, Ill. Ann Tirk was born on Aug. 7, 1942, in Hartford, Wis., to Eleanora and Orville Uber. She was an only child, and her parents died when she was young. She was well loved by her aunt Anita Becker and her extended family of grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. She studied music education at Lawrence College in Appleton, where she met her husband, Bob Tirk. Ann, a talented soprano, taught vocal music in the Woodstock and Huntley school districts. She directed generations of local singers in holiday pageants, musicals, concerts, and other musical adventures. Ann and Bob were great travelers, visiting all 50 states, the 10 Canadian provinces, and

William ‘Bill’ Edwin Butenschoen, 81

William “Bill” E. Butenschoen died on Oct. 22, 2022. He was born Sept. 15, 1941, to Esther Hughes in Jefferson Park, Ill.  He married Joan Augustine on Sept. 8, 1962. Bill worked for AB Dick & Co. in Park Ridge for many years, and then he worked for Lemke Machinery in Woodstock before retiring. He was a skilled machinist. Bill and Joan moved their growing family to a small 5-acre farmette in Woodstock in 1978 from Hoffman Estates. He truly enjoyed all the aspects of owning land, including raising animals, having large bonfires, and mowing the acreage on his zero-turn mower. Anyone dropping brush off to be burned could find him enjoying the outdoors with one of the numerous large dogs

Tim James Feeley, 74

Tim James Feeley passed away at Valley Hi in the early morning of Oct. 3, 2022. He was born on Dec. 9, 1947, in Des Moines, Iowa, to James Patrick and Margaret (Freuland) Feeley.  He is preceded in death by his parents and younger brother ,Jeffrey (Sharon) Feeley.  Tim is survived by his wife of 52 years, Melodie; son, Zachary (Jenn) Feeley; brother, Michael Feeley; sisters-in-law, Candy Gay and Sharon Feeley; and nephew, Travis Powell.  Tim’s earthy life was an engaged, full adventure met with humor, determination, laughter, and available energy. An Iowa State University degree in biology morphed into a career as a union carpenter. That provided the skills used to build the country family home, where working on

Vaughn Dale Heidenreich, 98

Vaughn Dale Heidenreich, 98, passed away Sept. 30, 2022, in his Woodstock home surrounded by his loving wife and family. Vaughn was predeceased by his parents, Lester and Amy, and his four brothers, Wilmer, Delmar, Jerry and Vern. He leaves behind his loving wife, Mary (Grossel-Adams) Heidenreich; his four stepchildren, Mary Beth (Dan) Meloni, Joseph (Terese) Adams, Judith (Karl) Shuh, and Karen (Raymond) Shook; as well as three children with first wife Phyllis (Higgins), daughters Candace (Marc) Kresmery and Dawn Hines, and son Curt (Lisa) Heidenreich. Numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren also mourn his passing. Vaughn was born Sept. 21,1924, in Stockton, Ill., and graduated from Crystal Lake High School in 1942.  In 1943 he joined the United States 8th Army Air

Daniel A. Buchberger, 72

Daniel A. Buchberger, beloved husband, father, Papa, Opa, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, and friend, passed away on Sunday, July 10, 2022, after a long and valiant battle with cancer. Dan was born on Aug. 3, 1950 in Belvidere, Ill., to parents Earl F. Buchberger and Betty J. (Sowers) Garrison. After graduating from Alden-Hebron High School in 1969, Dan enlisted in the Navy, attained the rank of HM3, hospital corpsman, and served until being honorably discharged in 1973.  In 2006, he retired as propane bulk manager from the original Country Gas Co. in Crystal Lake, where he had been employed for 32 years. He had been a member of the Northeastern Illinois Propane Gas Association while employed. He was a member of

Judith Ellen David, 76

Judith Ellen David 76, passed away on Sept. 6, 2022, at her summer cottage in Clam Lake, Wis. She was born on June 21, 1946, in Chicago, the daughter of Frank and Ludmilla Gleim (Kokavec). She married Michael David on Nov. 18, 1967. Judy was a certified floral designer and first worked at Busse Thomas Flowers and later at Apple Creeks Flowers, both located in Woodstock. She was also the owner of Judy’s Open Cupboard and Antique business located in Ridgefield.  She was a good cook, enjoyed sitting around a bonfire with family and friends, and also liked watching the Cubs. Most of all Judy loved being at her Clam Lake Cottage in Wisconsin. Her parents first brought her there

Carol Marie Deneen, 86

Carol Marie Deneen, 86, passed away on Sept. 22, 2022, at her home in Woodstock. She was born on Jan. 7, 1936, in Jamestown, N.Y., the daughter of Carl and Ingrid (Johnson) Hoglund. She married Richard Deneen on June 17, 1961. Carol was a long-time member of First United Methodist Church in Woodstock. She belonged to the Genesis group and Women’s Club with the church. She enjoyed traveling, taking care of her flower garden, and spending time with her family and friends. She is survived by her daughters, Kerrie Lynn Way, Tracy Carol (Joe) Cubert, and Debbie Ann (Stan) Dechant; grandchildren, Gavin Taylor, Courtney (Kambren) Rowlan, Norman Dechant, Deneena Dechant, Joseph (Katie) Cubert, and Daniel Cubert; and great-grandchildren, Kayak and

Mary Jane Gruner, 95

Our beloved mother, Mary Jane Gruner, 95, of Reno, Nev., passed away after a brief illness on Saturday, Sept. 17. She was born Sept. 26, 1926, in Chicago, the daughter of Jessica Edell and stepfather Leon Edell. Mom grew up in Chicago and attended Jones Technical High School. It was at Jones that she met our father, Robert (Bob) Gruner. After dad completed his Navy service, they were married on Sept. 21, 1946. As they began raising their family, they moved to northeastern Illinois and resided in Huntley and eventually Woodstock. They had a great family life and had numerous lifelong friends. Mom worked in hospital admissions at Woodstock Memorial Hospital and also was a past member of the American

Bernard ‘Bud’ E. Dowey, 79

Bernard “Bud” E. Dowey, age 79, of Woodstock, passed away Sept. 17, 2022, in Woodstock. He was born in Harvard on Sept. 9, 1943, the son of Robert and Opal (Lindsey) Dowey. He married Barbara Kreft on Oct. 12, 1968, at Zion Lutheran Church in Marengo. Bud enrolled in the Army in 1965 and proudly served overseas until 1967. When he returned home, he worked for Dean’s dairy plant in Chemung for many years. He then joined Union 1035, working many road construction jobs over the years. In his spare time he learned to fix used appliances and resell to the locals. He also enjoyed cutting firewood, sharpening chainsaws for local business, and cement work. He was a man of

Katherine Anne Kohl-Houston, 78

Jan. 31, 1944-June 9, 2022 Katherine Anne Kohl passed away on June 9, 2022, at her home in Oklahoma City, Okla.She was born Jan. 31, 1944, to Raymond G. Kohl and Loretta B. Kohl (Peaslee) in Woodstock. She was the first of four children.She attended Woodstock Community High School and graduated 1962. She attended Carthage College, first in Illinois and then in Kenosha, Wis. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in education (science and art).She taught school in Iowa and then in Oklahoma City schools from 1969 to 2012. She taught middle school and high school. Her accolades ranged from Teacher of the Year to numerous acknowledgements for students with the most improved grades. Kathy enjoyed being outdoors. She loved

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Larry Lough

Larry Lough

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

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Janet Dovidio

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Susan W. Murray

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