Robert Donald Schmidt, 78, of Woodstock, Ill., passed away peacefully to the Lord’s care on Jan. 21, 2021, born Dec. 2, 1942. He was preceded in death by his father Donald A. Schmidt (1966); his mother, Jaine B. Nichol Schmidt (2015); and a great-nephew, Benjamin Srdanovich (2015). He has two sisters, Jean Schmidt Steward (Greg) and Marilyn Schmidt Anderson; a brother, Alan Schkmidt; a niece, Tamara Stewart Srdanovich (Mirko); great-niece and -nephew, Hannah and Zak; nephew, Chad Steward; and great-nieces, Jennah and Samantha Stewart. Robert moved to Elgin in 1966 and has lived in group homes in Aurora, St. Charles, and Elgin. While living in these homes, he attended a workshop program that gave him some money to inspire his

Ronald Thomas passed away peacefully on Jan. 19, 2021 in Largo, Fla., from Alzheimer’s disease. He was born Aug. 23, 1941, in Woodstock, Ill., to James and Dorothy Thomas. He is survived by his sister, Susan Ward. Ron graduated from Woodstock High School in 1959. He graduated from Elgin Community College with an A.S. degree and from Southern Illinois University in business management and an MBA (business administration) degree in 1968. While in college, he met his wife, Christine R. Thomas. They were married in 1966 and had one son, Richard J. Thomas, who preceded him in death. Ron worked many years as a stockbroker at A.G. Edwards in Woodstock until he moved to Florida. Ron enjoyed collecting model trains

Laverne Lucille Shepley, 84, of Woodstock, passed away peacefully on Monday, Jan. 25, 2021. She was born March 4, 1936, in Chicago, the daughter of the late Theodore W. and Erna M. (née Limberger) Mannheim. Laverne was the loving mother of Darwin (Robbin) Shepley Jr. of Woodstock, Wendy Heaven of Crystal, Minn., Denise Evans of Lee, Mass., Hope (Joel) Amettis of Wonder Lake, Heather Tate of Oakfield, Tenn; and daughter-in-law, Regan Shepley of Crystal Lake; beloved nana to Jennifer Sheran, Laura Lindberg, Douglas Evans, Nathan Amettis, Stephen Shepley, Carly Amettis, Mark Evans, Amanda Amettis, Pamela Heaven, Desi Coen, Emily Torres, Zachary Amettis, Madison Shepley, Chase Shepley, Liberty Tate; cherished great-grandmother of 24 and one on the way; loving sister of

Mary Elizabeth Haley (née Cox) passed away peacefully on Jan. 25, 2021, in McHenry, Ill.  She was born on Jan. 14, 1925, in Detroit, Mich., to Edward and Elizabeth Cox. Mary was preceded in death by her dear brother, Jack, and beloved sisters, Barbara J. (Thomas) Briceland and Ellen J. (John) Revesz. Mary taught second grade at St. Theresa’s School in Palatine for many years and was a faithful member of St Thomas of Villanova in Palatine, Sts. Peter and Paul in Cary, and St. Mary parish in Woodstock. She volunteered at Twice Blessed Resale Shop for Miseracordia in Palatine for well over 20 years as one of the “Thursday” Ladies.  After graduating from Marygrove College in Detroit, she joined

Billy Dean Barger, 84, of Woodstock, Ill., passed away on Jan. 24, 2021, due to complications from dementia. He was born April 30, 1936, at home in Pope County, Illinois, to Clifford and Wilma Barger. After graduation from Galatia High School, he joined the United States Air Force and proudly served his country at O’Hare International Airport, working on airplane hydraulics. After his enlistment, he used the veterans’ bill to attend Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Ill. He trained as a certified vocational machines instructor. After one year of teaching special education industrial arts in Murphysboro, he obtained a teaching position in Woodstock, where he taught vocational machines, drafting, woods, and welding for 34 years. He married Sharon Heuerman in

Diana Maria (Alvarez) Webster, 79, of Woodstock, passed away peacefully on Jan. 19, 2021, at home, with her beloved husband. Robert (Bob). and loyal companion. Lily. by her side. She was born May 9, 1941. in Cotulla, Texas, to Pedro (Pete) and Margarita Alvarez. She married Bob on Feb. 27, 1960. Diana was a devoted wife, loving mother, and proud grandmother/great-grandmother. She and Bob were blessed with four children, Theresa (Dan Buss), Daniel (Beth), Ralph, and Heather (Brett Heidtke). Her greatest joy was becoming Grandma to her eight grandchildren, Jarrad (Becky), Jamie (Rob Ehlenburg), Tyler (Kate), Bryce (Allie), Tate and Taylor (Kayla), Payton and Aj, as well as six great-grandchildren, Sophia, Oliver, Hudson, Miranda, Carson and Bentley, with another on

Jeffrey Trewyn, 60, passed away surrounded by loved ones after a courageous battle with brain cancer. Jeff was born on Nov. 5, 1960, to parents Harold and Joyce Trewyn. He graduated from Janesville Craig and UW-Whitewater. Jeff owned and operated Organic Way Corp. in the Chicagoland area. Jeff’s family meant everything to him. He coached several youth teams and continued to support all Wisconsin sports teams. Jeff was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed time at his cabin. Jeff is survived by his children, Alec and Ally; his mother, Joyce; siblings Julie Carter, Jodi (Dave) Spencer, Jacki Foss, Jason (Yianna) Trewyn, and Jared (Lisa) Trewyn; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Harold, and brother-in-law,

Helena (Leni) Ideler, 94, of Woodstock, passed away peacefully at home on Jan. 18, 2021, surrounded by family. She was born in Dinklage, Germany, on Feb. 3, 1926, to Bernhard and Emma Moellers. In her 20s she followed her fiancé (Albert Ideler) to the United States, where they were married several months later. Leni and Albert celebrated 65 years of marriage on Nov. 12, 2020, raising their family in Woodstock, Ill. Leni was a loving wife, mother, oma, and omama. She was a talented seamstress who shared her talents with many over the years. In addition to sewing, she loved to knit, crochet, and do amazing needlework. Her hands were never idle; she was always creating something beautiful. She was

Elsie Mae Stoddard, 97, daughter of the late Eric and Teresa Akerberg, was born Aug. 26, 1923, in Woodstock, Ill. Having had the precious time to visit with her family, Elsie passed quietly on Jan. 15, 2021, in the comfort of her daughter Lisa’s home. Elsie grew up on a farm on the outskirts of Woodstock along with seven other siblings. She was extremely proud of her 50+ year membership with Greenwood Homemakers. She enjoyed many years of playing pinochle with friends at the Woodstock firehouse. She was also an avid rummy player and a fierce bingo competitor. Elsie sold her Hoy Avenue home and moved to the Fountains in Crystal Lake, Ill., in June 2017. While there she made

Virginia May Stroh, 84, of Woodstock, Ill., passed away Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021, at Northwestern Medicine-McHenry from complications of COVID-19 along with other health challenges.  Virginia (Ginny) was born in Hawley, Minn., on May 26, 1936, to Alois and Norma (Gaenzle) Vorgert. She attended grade school in Urbank, Minn., and graduated from Parkers Prairie High School in 1953. After attending the Minnesota College of Business in Minneapolis, she worked for Kaiser Aluminum in the Twin Cities.  At a dance in Alexandria, Minn., she met the love of her life, Alfred Stroh, and they married on Oct. 19, 1957, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Urbank, Minn. They settled on a 200-acre family farm in Millerville, Minn., and started their