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.

The family of Jane Dahm will celebrate and remember her life with an open house on what would have been her 90th birthday. The event will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 1, at First Presbyterian Church of Woodstock, 2018 N. Route 47. She passed away Nov. 24, 2020.

Vanessa Busse, age 34, of Woodstock, passed away July 13, 2021, with her family by her side. She was born on Sept. 17, 1986, in Libertyville, the daughter of Allan and Shirley (Kusch) Busse. She married Andrew Rank June 9, 2017. Vanessa enjoyed many sports throughout her life, and she was proud to earn the Girl Scout Gold Award. She enjoyed watching the Cubs and playing on both a volleyball league and many soccer games. She enjoyed being around animals and loved all of her fur babies. Vanessa is survived by her husband, Andrew; mother, Shirley Busse; her sisters, Melissa (Brian) Haske, Adrienne Busse-Kus, and Jeanette (Danny) Hodgkinson; niece, Hannah; nephews, Brian, Gavin, and Bryson; mother-in-law, Sabrina Boone (Steve); her

Hazel Marie Kniebusch, 96, of Woodstock, passed away July 14, 2021, in Huntley, Ill. She was born in 1924 to Frank and Madaline (Lang) Beilke in Woodstock at the home of her grandparents Olive and Will Lang. She attended Woodstock grade schools and graduated with the class of 1942 from Woodstock Community High School. On April 11, 1943, she was married to William “Bill” Kniebusch in the First United Methodist Church in Woodstock by the Rev. Merle English. Hazel was a life-long member of the First United Methodist Church of Woodstock, being confirmed in 1937. She sang in the church choir for 40 years, taught Sunday School, served on the Board of Trustees and other church committees, and was president