Donna J. Gattuso, 60, passed away peacefully on Dec. 19, 2020, with her loving family by her side. She was born in Highland Park, Ill., on June 28, 1960, and was the daughter of Donald J. and Marilyn Schneider. She married Joseph P. Gattuso on July 15, 1978, in Wilmette, Ill., at St. Joseph Parish. Donna worked with special needs children at District 200 in Woodstock. She was also an avid sewer and quilter and was a regular at Sewing Concepts on the Woodstock Square, where she had many dear friends. Donna made many keepsake quilts for family and friends, each of which had a specially embroidered commemorative panel. She enjoyed nothing more than spending time with her family. She

Robert Alan Piquette, 91, of Woodstock, passed away in his home on Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020, with his wife and children by his side. Rob was born in Waukegan, Ill., on Oct. 19, 1929. He was the eldest child of Lionel “Mike” Piquette and Ruth (Hartmann) Piquette. Rob served in the United States Army in Germany from 1951-1953. He married the love of his life, Marion Barens, in 1951, and together they raised seven children. As a teacher and principal in Woodstock for over 30 years, Rob knew the names of every student and parent and greeted his students daily at the school’s doors. He was a fast pitch softball player until the age of 61 and played bass in

Born: Dec. 1, 1928, in Missoula, Montana Died: Dec. 5, 2020, in Crystal Lake, Illinois “Royal” as he was known by all, was raised in Missoula, Mont., the eldest of five boys. He attended Park College near Kansas City, Mo., where he met the love of his life, Aileen. They moved to Chicago, where he became a teacher. After earning his master’s degree from DePaul University, he then became a principal in the Chicago Public Schools. He had a great heart for inner-city children. The family made their home in Palatine, Ill. He was a great example of love and devotion as he cared for Aileen when she became ill with Alzheimer’s disease. He is survived by three of his

Brett Ralph Coleman, 67, passed away on Dec. 11, 2020. He was born in Fond du Lac, Wis., on April 15, 1953, to Mary Genevieve (Mullen) Coleman and Ralph Edson Coleman. He operated many successful bars and restaurants in Elgin, Dundee, Chicago, Crystal Lake, Cary and Algonquin, Ill. He also built and owned a Holiday Inn Express in Algonquin. Brett was a compassionate and generous man who had an excitement for life, which made him a friend to all and mentor to many.  Brett married Ann Elizabeth Brislen on Feb. 19, 1983, in Chicago. They raised their four children, Seth Ralph, Egan Russell, Brady Michael, and Mae Elizabeth, in Crystal Lake.  Brett is survived by his wife, Ann; three sons,

Carol A. Jarnecke, 87, of Woodstock, passed away at her home with her daughter by her side on Dec. 12, 2020. She was born on Sept. 7, 1933, in Woodstock, where she resided her entire life. She was the middle child of three children born to Albert and Emma Holtfreter. She graduated from Woodstock High School in 1952. She married Norman Jarnecke on Oct. 21, 1960. They were married for 50 years. Carol had a variety of jobs while she was raising her family. She worked at Northwood Elementary School, Hornsby’s, Sears, K-Mart, and lastly, The State Bank of Woodstock until her retirement in 1995. A lifelong member of Grace Lutheran Church in Woodstock, Carol taught Sunday school and served

Sept. 10, 1937 – Dec. 8, 2020 Ralph Frank Kammermeier passed away peacefully Dec. 8, 2020, at the age of 83, surrounded by his wife, Maureen, his children and his grandchildren.  Son of the late Frank and Anna (Gerd-To-Berens) Kammermeier, Ralph was raised in Chicago, graduated from Saint Mel’s High School in 1955, and graduated from the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana with a mechanical engineering degree in 1959. April 27, 1963, he married Mary (Maureen) Teresa Hopkins, his wife of 57 years. He started his 28-year career as a mechanical engineer at Evans Products and advanced to plant manager of three locations, leading 500 employees. In 1985, he purchased Woodstock Lumber, which became his labor of love for the

Darlene E. Lilja passed away peacefully surrounded by loving family on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020. She was born on June 29, 1936 in Woodstock, Ill., the daughter of Thore and Hulda Emricson. She was married to her high school sweetheart, Milton E. Lilja, in Woodstock on Jan. 19, 1957. Darlene and Milton were married for nearly 64 years; they resided overseas and in multiple locations throughout Milton’s military career prior to settling in Colorado. Darlene was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was a member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church; she loved the Lord and devoted 10 years of service as church secretary in addition to her countless hours of volunteer work. She enjoyed watching sports and especially

Larry Norman Eslick, 72, passed away on Nov. 30, 2020, in McHenry, Ill. Larry was born on Sept. 29, 1948, in Woodstock to the late Neuton and Emma (Brunner) Eslick. He married Betty Blumhorst in 1975 and resided in Woodstock his entire life. Larry graduated from Woodstock High School in 1966 and enjoyed his many friends and athletics. After graduating from high school, Larry served in the U.S. Army from 1966 to1968 stationed in Hawaii and Vietnam. He was a Specialist 4th Class 9th Division in Vietnam and 25th Division in Hawaii. After his honorable discharge from the Army, he began driving a truck as a cattle hauler for Blumhorst Trucking. He then became an independent owner-operator of Eslick Trucking,

Albert J. “Al” Reuter, 51, of Woodstock, passed away on Friday, Nov. 27, 2020, at the Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington. He was born May 14, 1969 in McHenry, the son of John A. “Jack” Reuter and Janie (Malone) Reuter. He married to Michelle Lundgren on Aug. 17, 1991. Al was a member of Ceramic Tile and Brick Layer Workers Union Local 67. He was well known as one of the best tile men in the business. He worked for many companies during his career and had a long line of customers who would wait for Al to free up enough time to do their job. In his spare time, he enjoyed four-wheeling, snowmobiling, and spending time with good

John “Jack” Haldeman, 75, of Woodstock, passed away on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020, at the Northwestern Hospital-Huntley. He was born in Woodstock on May 23, 1945, to George and Rita (Phannenstill) Haldeman. He married Patricia Smith on June 26, 1965, in Woodstock. Jack was owner and operator of Haldeman and Sons Excavating Co. in Woodstock. He was a graduate of Woodstock Community High School in the class of 1963. He was a volunteer on the Woodstock Rural Fire Department for 30 years and was a lifetime member of the Woodstock Moose Lodge. He enjoyed bowling, softball, fishing, travel, and gambling. Jack is survived by his wife, Patricia; two sons, Jeffrey (Ann) and Jason Haldeman; two daughters, Jamie (Derek) Schmieding and