Ralph Burnett, 97, a resident of Woodstock since 1958, passed away peacefully from natural causes at home surrounded by his family on May 15, 2021. He was born Nov. 14, 1923, on his family farm in Villa Grove, Illinois, to John (Don) and Edna Burnett and was raised alongside his two brothers (John and Mark) and his sister (Anne). He attended a one-room schoolhouse and received a degree in Agriculture from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He joined the U.S. Army Air Force and served his nation in WWII. His plane was shot down over France during his second mission, and he spent nine months as a prisoner of war in Germany. Upon his return from the war, he

An outdoor celebration of the life of James (Jim) Maggio will be at 1 p.m. Sunday, May 23, 2021, at 4323 Lathrop Drive, Woodstock (village of Greenwood). He passed away Jan. 29, 2021, in Woodstock Memorials may be made to the Woodstock High School Backers Club, 501 W. South St., or the Woodstock Little League, P.O. Box 94, Woodstock, IL 60098. 

Esteban Z. Popoca (Steve) age 60, of Woodstock, Ill., was peacefully welcomed into the arms of our Lord Jesus Christ on Friday, May 7, 2021, in the presence of some of his loving family members after a courageous 13-month battle with cancer.  He was born to Manuel and Ines (Zariñana) Popoca and was the fourth of eight children.  He married Adalia Perez in 1984, and they were blessed with the birth of three beautiful children.  He was an active member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Woodstock.  His number one and greatest joy was spending time with family and friends, building and creating things out of nothing, and working outdoors. He had a knack for building, creating, and fixing anything,

Judy Jean (Lisching) LaBelle, age 58, a Woodstock resident died peacefully at JourneyCare in Barrington, Ill., on Wednesday, April 28, 2021, from complications with cancer. She was surrounded by family. She was born to parents James and Irene Dickerson in Green Bay, Wis. Her father James Dickerson of Danville, Ill., preceded her in death, as well as her sister, Ruth Dickerson, and two stepbrothers, Scott Wojtas and Brian Wojtas. Judy went to Crystal Lake South High School and later took courses at McHenry County College. She became a real estate broker and a real estate appraiser. Judy worked for ReMax Traditions for 19 years and then traded in her broker’s license for a fishing license, where she became a first

Lesta Mae Christophersen (formerly Springman, Bailer, Panke), 78, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 17, 2021. She was born in Jeffersonville, Ind., to the late Richard and Bernadine Springman on May 16, 1942. She graduated from Woodstock High School. Lesta is survived by her children, Doreen Bailer, Round Lake, Robert P. Bailer, Genoa City, Wis., Jason Panke, Georgetown, Texas, and step-daugher Karen Jones, Fayetteville, N.C.; a grandson, Justin Bailer; step-grandchildren, Melissa Grochowske and Andrea Bourassa; and several nieces and nephews. Loving her also were her sisters Jean (Vernon) Schiller, McHenry, and Nancy (Bob) Pope, Woodstock, and a cousin Donna Jo Jilek, Woodstock. Preceded in death by Robert J. Bailer, William Panke, Karl Christophersen, and daughter Diane Bailer. Lesta loved the

Jolene A. Saathoff, 85, of Scottsdale, Ariz., passed away at her home on Thursday, April 8, 2021. She was born May 8, 1935, in Chebanse, Ill., the daughter of Adrian and Beyrl (Morris) Girard. She graduated from Kankakee High School and went to Silver Cross School of Nursing graduating in 1956. She lived in Woodstock, Ill., for 35 years and worked as a registered nurse for Centegra Hospital in Woodstock. She enjoyed cooking, doing needlepoint, and spending time with her family.Jolene is survived by her son, Ted Saathoff of Scottsdale, Ariz.; her daughter, Adrianne Camacho of Fountain Hills, Ariz.; four grandchildren, Alexis Camacho, Elizabeth Wrobel, Kelli Butler, and Jennifer Guardino; and her sister Jackie Bonvallett.She was preceded in death by

Martin “Marty” Raymond Sobczak, age 79, of Wonder Lake, Ill., passed away April 24, 2021, in Chicago. He was born March 11, 1942, in Burlington, Wis., to Raymond and Bernice Sobczak. He married the love of his life, Lynne Roberta Hunn, on Aug. 21, 1965, at Oak Creek Community Church in Oak Creek, Wis. During their 55 years of marriage, they lived in Sparta, Park Falls, Waukesha and Eagle, Wis., as well as Johnsburg, Ill., and finally the Wonder Lake area, their home since 1977. Marty had a passion for youth development. He received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in physical education from the University of Wisconsin in LaCrosse, Wis. He taught physical education in Park Falls and Waukesha, Wis., and then

David John Boyce, age 79, of Wonder Lake, Ill., passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, April 22, 2021. He was born on July 28, 1941, the son of Norman and Annette (Olson) Boyce in Chicago. David married the love of his life, Pansy (Neva), in 1965. David retired from AT&T after 30 years of service and was loving his life of retirement. He was a proud member of the National Guard and loved all things model trains. David was a family man; he was a loving father and grandfather. David is survived by his wife, Pansy Boyce; children, Monica Bradtke, Bill Boyce, James Boyce, Allen (Carrie) Boyce, and David Boyce Jr.; and six grandchildren, Alex, Sam, Jacob, Lucas, Michael, and Elizabeth.

Shirley Reed passed away April 13, 2021. She was born on Feb. 3, 1925, daughter of William and Signa Remus in Woodstock, Ill., and later married Russell Reed. They had five children. Shirley moved to Arizona and lived in Scottsdale, Sedona, Cottonwood, Prescott, and finally Mesa. She loved the red rocks and beauty of Sedona. Shirley’s greatest passion was letter and poetry writing, sending to her many friends and family. She also enjoyed traveling and especially loved the Lake Tahoe area. She attended family reunions on the Peterson farm, which is still operating by Ronald Peterson. She is survived by her sister, Dorothy Marske; daughters, Sherl and Kay; and sons, Richard and Steven. She also has numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.