William Howard Desmond, of Waukesha, Wis., passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021, at the age of 67.  Bill was born in San Francisco, Calif., and raised in Woodstock, Ill., the son of William John Desmond and Anne Virginia Desmond (née Slavin). He married Kristine Rose Desmond (née Quasius) on Oct. 9, 1982, at Grace Episcopal Church in Sheboygan, Wis., and together they raised three children in Waukesha. Bill was a gentle and generous man whose time came too soon and who will be deeply missed. His family will remember him for his kind-heartedness and warmth, sense of humor, and wide range of passions and interests.  Always curious about the world around him, Bill was fiercely intelligent

Lynn Diane Brown, 71, of Woodstock, passed away peacefully on Feb. 13, 2021, in Crystal Lake. She was born on July 12, 1949, in Harvard to Roland and Margery (Wright) Brown. Lynn was a devoted mother to Christopher (Stephanie) Spitson and Michael (Madeline) Spitson, and loving Nana to Allison and Mason. She worked as a dispatcher for the McHenry County Police Department and city of Kissimmee Police Department for many years. She enjoyed playing cards, watching the Chicago Cubs, Blackhawks, and had a true passion for animals. She was loved and will be truly missed. In addition to being survived by her sons, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren, she is survived by her sister, Carole (Paul) Jachimek; as well as nephews; a

James M. (Jim) Maggio, age 68, passed away on Jan., 29, 2021, in Woodstock, Ill. He was born on May 23, 1952, in Chicago, the son of Peter and Ruth (Helmuth) Maggio. Jim grew up in Chicago and graduated from Lane Tech College Prep High School in 1970. Following graduation, Jim enlisted in the Naval Air Reserves, serving until 1982, and attended the University of Illinois at Chicago Circle campus. Jim was employed by Illinois Bell Telephone and AT&T for 32 years. He met his wife, Sue, at IBT, and they were married on Dec. 6, 1979. In 1980 they moved to Woodstock, and Jim served the community in many capacities. He was president of the Woodstock Jaycees 1985-1986, especially

William T. Hicks Jr. passed away Jan. 30, 2021, at home in Woodstock, Ill. Born to ZaIda (Moore) and William T. Hicks on June 23, 1936.  He graduated from the University of Miami in Florida with a bachelor’s degree in economics. He married Janice Johnson Sept. 1, 1962, and they lived in Palatine, Ill., for 24 years before moving to Woodstock. He worked for Chemplex in Rolling Meadows and George S. May in Park Ridge as a system analyst until retirement in 1999. He was a kind and loving husband and was friendly to everyone who met him. He loved spending time with his family and playing golf. He will be missed by so many He is survived by his

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