Ronald A. Knaack, 82, of Woodstock passed away peacefully on June 10, 2021, surrounded by his family after a long illness. Ron was born Sept. 3, 1938, in Woodstock, Ill., to Fred and Viola (Austin) Knaack. He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. Ron met the love of his life, Beatrice, in 1960, and they were married Sept. 16, 1961. Together they built a life filled with love and strong family values. He had many hobbies that include flying model airplanes in competitions and a collection of Corvettes. He had a passion for working on cars and was an excellent mechanic. His love for his family was exponential, and he loved spending infinite time with his family. He

Nancy Davis, 81, of Woodstock, passed away at home in the company of family on June 12, 2021, in Woodstock. She was born Oct. 17, 1939, in Woodstock to Elmer and Loretta (Beth) Philipp. She married James Davis in 1958 in Woodstock. She and her husband met as students at Woodstock High School. Her career included administrative, insurance, and office management positions at the Woodstock Title Co., Kishwaukee Valley Medical Group, and the Special Education District of McHenry County, from which she retired. An avid crafter with her own active craft business, she re-created the craft fair at St. John’s Lutheran Church and ran the fair for 10 years. She and her husband enjoyed road trips, family gatherings, and time

Carroll D. Lohmeyer, 89, of Woodstock, passed away on Sunday, June 6, 2021, in Woodstock. Mr. Lohmeyer was born July 4, 1931, in Linn, Kan. to Lawrence F. and Dora M. (Kriete) Lohmeyer. He married Margaret Vollmann on May 14, 1955, in Algonquin. He was a 1948 graduate of Woodstock High School. He would then proudly serve his country as an Air Force mechanic during the Korean War. After his service, he returned to the rural Woodstock area where he spent a lifelong career as a dairy and grain farmer. He served as a board member of the McHenry County Farm Service for 20 years. Carroll was a dedicated member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Woodstock, where he served

Diann (Petersen) Spear, born Aug. 13, 1945, passed away peacefully at her home in Billings, Montana, on Saturday, May 29, 2021. Diann was born to Arthur and Evelyn Petersen of Skokie, Ill. Her early childhood was spent in Skokie living in the house that her grandparents built. When she entered high school, her family moved to Woodstock, Ill., where she made many lifelong friends including the “Fab 7.” Diann went to college at Miami University of Ohio, where she majored in sociology. She married right out of college and started a family, all the while volunteering and being an activist for the Women’s Liberation Movement and starting a Montessori preschool when her daughter needed a preschool to attend and she

Jacquelyn Conger Leucht, 88, of Woodstock, passed away peacefully early in the morning of May 28, 2021, with her children by her side. She was born July 4, 1932, in Minneapolis, Minn., the daughter of Graydon Wright and Wanda (Haluptzok) Conger. She graduated from South Shore High School, Chicago, in December 1949. Jackie married Charles E. Leucht on July 8, 1950, at St. Philip Neri Church, Chicago. In 1953 she and Chuck moved to Woodstock, building the Schneider Leucht Funeral Home with her mother and stepfather, Elmer Schneider. Jackie helped with clerical duties, later working 20 years for Dr. John C. Paul as receptionist, then five years with Joslyn and Green Law Office. A longtime member of St. Mary Catholic

Richard Alvin Baker, age 74, died in his home in Woodstock, Ill., on the morning of May 27. Dick was born in Mineral Point, Wis., on Nov. 23, 1946, son of Al and Ginny Baker, brother to Donna and Jerry. After graduating from Janesville High School, he earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and a master’s degree in education from Western Michigan University. In 1968, Dick began a 40-year career at Big Foot High School in Walworth, Wis., where he taught math and English; coached the baseball, basketball, and math teams; and supervised several clubs and activities. He was a brilliant educator, known and loved not only for his commitment to the students in his

Born: March 5, 1967 Died: May 20, 2021 in Rockford, Ill. Dick Emil Polnow, 54, of Marengo, died Thursday, May 20, 2021, from complications of COVID at OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center, Rockford. Dick was born March 5, 1967, to Richard and Arlene (Schiller) Polnow in Woodstock. He worked hard his entire life starting at Freund International as a mechanic. In 1989, he was employed with Marengo Disposal as the shop manager. From that position he became division team leader with Waste Connections at the time of his death. Dick married his high school sweetheart, Suzanne (Brandt) Polnow, in September 1989. They resided in Marengo, and Dick became a family man. His family and friends were always his top priority. 

Harold W. Johnson, 82, of Woodstock, died peacefully Sunday, May 23, 2021, at Hearthstone Manor in Woodstock. He was born in Stanley, Wis., on July 21, 1938, to Hans and Irene (Fitzl) Johnson. He married Jeanette Jacobsen on May 12, 1962. They just celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary. He worked many years for Central Black Top and was a member of the Knights of Columbus. He was an avid Cubs fan, collected coins, and enjoyed doing puzzles. Most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. He is survived by his wife, Jeanette; four children, Marilyn Johnson, Renee (Keith) Huff, Chris Johnson, and Jacqueline (Jerry) Colquhoun; four grandchildren, Brandon Cunningham, Colton Johnson, Jordan (Michelle) Huff, and Hannah