Jean Ellen O’Connell, 94, of Geneva passed away at home on Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021, after a lifetime of love and laughter. She was born in Evanston, Ill., on Aug. 18, 1927, to Chester and Edna Gould. Her family later moved to Woodstock, where she spent her childhood years. Jean attended Stephens College, earning an Associate degree in fine arts and then attended The Art Institute in Chicago, earning a B.A. in interior design. After college, she worked as an interior designer for Hotpoint in Chicago and then St. Charles Kitchens in St, Charles, Ill. She met and married Richard O’Connell, and they made a life for themselves in Geneva. Jean became a stay-at-home mother for their two children, Tracy

Richard “Dick” Feldt, 86, of Woodstock, passed away at home peacefully on Aug. 11, 2021.  Dick was born on Oct. 15, 1934, to Ralph and Rose (Berna) Feldt in Woodstock and was proud to say that he lived his entire life in McHenry County. Dick was a graduate of the Hebron class of 1952, and when asked if he played on the infamous basketball team, Dick replied that he was busy milking cows on O’Brien Road.  Dick started out washing cars at Reichert Chevrolet and retired as their parts and service director after 40 years. He loved cars and helping his customers out with theirs, especially all the young guys looking for those hard-to-find parts as they were rebuilding their

Betty Jane Peters, 91, De Pere, Wis., passed away peacefully early Monday morning Aug. 16, 2021. She was born Aug. 5, 1930, in Painesville, Ohio, to the late Reynard and Sannie (Stenroos) Lanum. Betty graduated from Libertyville High School in Illinois and attended Illinois Wesleyan University. On Sept. 1, 1950, she married John R. Peters in Libertyville. Betty was employed for many years by the city of Woodstock in the finance department. at City Hall. She was previously a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Woodstock, St. Luke’s Lutheran, Wisconsin Rapids, and currently St. John’s Lutheran, De Pere. Betty enjoyed handcraft work of all kinds, including knitting and crocheting. She was active in the quilting club at St. John’s Church,

Charlotte A. Bingham, 93, of Woodstock passed away peacefully on Aug. 14, 2021, following a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm. She was born Jan. 18, 1928, in La Crosse County, Wisconsin, to Alex and Eva (Ingram) Dahlby. She married John (“Jack”) Bingham on Nov. 1, 1952, in Menomonie, Wis. Charlotte grew up in Cedar Falls, Wis., during the Great Depression with her parents and three sisters in a house with no indoor plumbing. Charlotte’s mother played and taught piano, so the house was frequently full of music. The four “Dahlby Sisters” would sing hymns and the latest hit songs of the 1930s while washing dishes. Charlotte attended the University of Wisconsin at Madison, where she graduated with a B.S. in home

Josephine “Jo” M. Smith, age 81, loving wife and mother of five children, passed away on Thursday Aug. 12, 2021, at home surrounded by family. Josephine was born on Sept. 1, 1939, in McHenry, Ill., the daughter of Joseph and Eleanor (née Daly) Freund. On May 9, 1959, she married her loving friend and partner, Thomas E Smith, at St. Patrick’s church in McHenry. They raised two daughters, Kimberly and Pamela, and three sons, Michael, Patrick, and Philip.  Jo was owner and operator of Smith’s Children’s Shop in Woodstock for 37 years and opened a second store in McHenry for nine years. During this time, she was active in the retail communities of both Woodstock and McHenry. Jo truly loved

Rex A. Litchfield, 76, of Woodstock, died Sunday, July 25, 2021, at his home. He was born in Evanston on April 29, 1945, to Rex and Margaret (Smith) Litchfield. He married Loree Freeman on Dec. 12, 1981, in Woodstock. Rex proudly served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He worked as a floor installer and spent 17 years as a volunteer firefighter for Woodstock Rural Fire Department before enjoying retirement. He had passion and an amazing talent as a woodworker. He was an active member of Woodstock Woodworkers Club and served a term as their president. Rex loved to spend time with his friends and family, whether it be traveling or camping. He especially loved the time spent

Marion Piquette, 92, of Woodstock, Ill., passed away peacefully surrounded by her children in her home on Tuesday, July 20, 2021. Marion, “Manny,” was born May 17, 1929, in Barton, Wis. (now West Bend). She was the youngest child of Leona (Benn) Barens and Elmer “Sam” Barens. Marion grew up in Gurnee, Ill., where she met the love of her life, Robert, and they married on June 30, 1951. Together, the couple raised seven children. Generally mild mannered, Marion was a hidden pistol, known to fire off a priceless zinger that cut to the chase. She was “the baby whisperer” and flourished in her role as mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. The beloved matriarch of her large family, Marion was her

A celebration of life memorial service for James R. Locke will be Saturday, Aug. 7. Gathering will begin at 10 a.m. before the 11 a.m. service at Woodstock First United Methodist Church, 201 W. South St. He died Aug. 7, 2020.