Carol (Anderson) Gardner, 76, of Woodstock, passed away Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021, in Huntley. She was born Sept. 28, 1944, in Raymond, Wash., to Melvin and Agnes Anderson. Carol grew up in Chicago, and then Western Springs, Ill., and graduated from Lyons Township High School in 1963. She then went on to study Spanish and biology at Illinois State University, and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 1967. It was at ISU that she met her husband, Ken, to whom she was married for 46 years. She later went on to complete her master’s degree at Northern Illinois University. Carol taught Spanish at Woodstock High School for 32 years. She inspired a love of the Spanish language in many students.

Paul Thomas Wilson Jr., 88, died Thursday, Dec. 24, 2020 at his home in Woodstock, Ill., of natural causes. He was surrounded by family and friends in his last days and weeks and was able to express his love for them and their love for him. He leaves his wife of 70 years, Laila (Hansen) Wilson; his sons, Paul Wilson III, Tim Wilson, Todd Wilson; his daughters, Linda Hansen, Greta Engholm; 17 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren, five great-great-grandchildren; and many close friends. Born in Chicago, the son of Paul Sr. and Ruth (Leidholm) Wilson, he was a lifelong resident of the greater Chicagoland area. Most recently, and for the past 52 years, Paul lived in Woodstock. Paul met his wife, Laila

On Jan. 2, 2021, Anna Victoria Matthei passed away peacefully at the age of 92 after a long fight with Alzheimer’s. She was the beloved wife of Richard Fred Matthei, who preceded her in death in 1984. The youngest of seven children, Anna was born in Pennsylvania to Polish immigrant Stanley and Catherine (Novobilski) Gorel. After the death of her mother when Anna was six days old, Stanley married the late Catherine McCabe, and Anna eventually gained five younger half-siblings. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by siblings John Gorel, Stanley “Stash” Gorel Jr, Frank Gorel, Catherine Yusko, Mary Connor, and Millie Griffin. She is survived by siblings Sophie Homa of Connecticut, and Florence

Richard G. Johnson, 88, passed away peacefully at his home in Woodstock surrounded by his family on Dec. 31, 2020. He was born on Father’s Day June 19, 1932, in Ridgefield, Ill., the son of George and Elsie (Wille) Johnson. He married his beloved wife, Rita Roberts, on Nov. 21, 1953, at St. Thomas church in Crystal Lake. They had just celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary this past November. He graduated from Crystal Lake High School in 1950 and then enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard. where he served for three years in North Carolina. After serving in the military, he returned to Crystal Lake to become owner and operator of Ideal Oil Co., the family business. Richard served on

Robert (Bob) Phelan McKim passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2020, at White Oaks in Huntley, Ill. He was born in Woodstock, Ill., on June 7, 1931, to Claribel Gertrude (Phelan) and George Francis McKim. He served in the Air Force during the Korean War. Bob married LuVerne Joyce Olson on June 27, 1959, in Woodstock. He worked at Harris Trust & Savings Bank and commuted by train to downtown Chicago until his retirement in 1990. During his retirement years, Bob enjoyed working at Marengo Ridge Golf Club. Bob is survived by a son, Douglas Robert; a daughter, Karin McKim Gerhke (Marshall); granddaughters, Karissa (Nate) and Karah (George); a great-granddaughter, Joan LuVerne; and his dear friend, Shirley. He was preceded

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,