Sept. 10, 1937 – Dec. 8, 2020 Ralph Frank Kammermeier passed away peacefully Dec. 8, 2020, at the age of 83, surrounded by his wife, Maureen, his children and his grandchildren.  Son of the late Frank and Anna (Gerd-To-Berens) Kammermeier, Ralph was raised in Chicago, graduated from Saint Mel’s High School in 1955, and graduated from the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana with a mechanical engineering degree in 1959. April 27, 1963, he married Mary (Maureen) Teresa Hopkins, his wife of 57 years. He started his 28-year career as a mechanical engineer at Evans Products and advanced to plant manager of three locations, leading 500 employees. In 1985, he purchased Woodstock Lumber, which became his labor of love for the

Darlene E. Lilja passed away peacefully surrounded by loving family on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020. She was born on June 29, 1936 in Woodstock, Ill., the daughter of Thore and Hulda Emricson. She was married to her high school sweetheart, Milton E. Lilja, in Woodstock on Jan. 19, 1957. Darlene and Milton were married for nearly 64 years; they resided overseas and in multiple locations throughout Milton’s military career prior to settling in Colorado. Darlene was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was a member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church; she loved the Lord and devoted 10 years of service as church secretary in addition to her countless hours of volunteer work. She enjoyed watching sports and especially

Larry Norman Eslick, 72, passed away on Nov. 30, 2020, in McHenry, Ill. Larry was born on Sept. 29, 1948, in Woodstock to the late Neuton and Emma (Brunner) Eslick. He married Betty Blumhorst in 1975 and resided in Woodstock his entire life. Larry graduated from Woodstock High School in 1966 and enjoyed his many friends and athletics. After graduating from high school, Larry served in the U.S. Army from 1966 to1968 stationed in Hawaii and Vietnam. He was a Specialist 4th Class 9th Division in Vietnam and 25th Division in Hawaii. After his honorable discharge from the Army, he began driving a truck as a cattle hauler for Blumhorst Trucking. He then became an independent owner-operator of Eslick Trucking,

Albert J. “Al” Reuter, 51, of Woodstock, passed away on Friday, Nov. 27, 2020, at the Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington. He was born May 14, 1969 in McHenry, the son of John A. “Jack” Reuter and Janie (Malone) Reuter. He married to Michelle Lundgren on Aug. 17, 1991. Al was a member of Ceramic Tile and Brick Layer Workers Union Local 67. He was well known as one of the best tile men in the business. He worked for many companies during his career and had a long line of customers who would wait for Al to free up enough time to do their job. In his spare time, he enjoyed four-wheeling, snowmobiling, and spending time with good

John “Jack” Haldeman, 75, of Woodstock, passed away on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020, at the Northwestern Hospital-Huntley. He was born in Woodstock on May 23, 1945, to George and Rita (Phannenstill) Haldeman. He married Patricia Smith on June 26, 1965, in Woodstock. Jack was owner and operator of Haldeman and Sons Excavating Co. in Woodstock. He was a graduate of Woodstock Community High School in the class of 1963. He was a volunteer on the Woodstock Rural Fire Department for 30 years and was a lifetime member of the Woodstock Moose Lodge. He enjoyed bowling, softball, fishing, travel, and gambling. Jack is survived by his wife, Patricia; two sons, Jeffrey (Ann) and Jason Haldeman; two daughters, Jamie (Derek) Schmieding and

Donna Faye Ward (Hollenbeck), 89, passed away peacefully at her home in Woodstock on Nov. 23, 2020, of natural causes.  She was born on the family farm on Christmas Eve 1930 and was the oldest of the four Hollenbeck girls. Her parents were Luella (Schmidt) and George W. Hollenbeck who had a fruit and vegetable stand on Route 173 outside of Hebron during the Great Depression. She attended grade and high school in Hebron, Ill., and graduated from Hebron High School in 1948. In 1950 she married her high school sweetheart, James Clement Ward, who was drafted and served in Korea for the next two years. After discharge, they moved to Woodstock and started careers and a family.  Donna was

Jane Ann Kennedy Dahm, age 89, of Woodstock, Ill., passed away on Nov. 24, 2020, at Northwestern Hospital McHenry due to complications from COVID.  She was born on Aug. 1, 1931, in Woodstock, the daughter of Charles and Leonie Kennedy. She Married George A. Dahm on Aug. 5, 1951.  Jane was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.  She was very involved in her children’s school activities and enjoyed participating and watching their events. She served as a Girl Scout and Cub Scout leader and was a strong supporter of the McHenry County Fair. She served as a superintendent of the antique show for many years. Jane was a docent and avid supporter of the McHenry County Historical Society. She

Dianne R. (Church) Reeves, age 73, passed away Nov. 20, 2020, in Woodstock with her family by her side. She was born in Woodstock, Illl., on Dec. 23, 1946, to Robert and Hazel (Sweet) Church.  Dianne graduated from Woodstock High School in 1965. She worked as a 911 McHenry County dispatcher for 18 years for the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office. She was an artist and loved to draw, write and had perfect handwriting. She enjoyed love stories, scary movies, music and margaritas. She was loved by many, was a dear mother, friend and will be deeply missed.  She is survived by her children, Michael (Lois) Casper, Andrea (David) Jones and David “Eli” Reeves; seven grandchildren, Trey (Brittany) Casper, Shea Jones,

Ann (Spuehler) Kohl, 85, passed away on Nov 9, 2020 in Schaumburg, Ill. Ann was born Oct. 13, 1935, in Chicago, Ill., to the late Ernst Spuehler and Elizabeth Walser. She was married to Lou Kohl in 1954 and lived in Palatine, Ill., where they raised their family. Ann was a manager at the Mount Prospect Bank as well as being a homemaker. Ann and Lou moved to Woodstock, Ill., in the 1980s and enjoyed their long-time home together until Lou passed away in 2007. Ann was an avid gardener, artist, competitive tennis player, and an excellent cook. Her cookie-baking skills will be sorely missed. She was a caring friend with a kind word for all. Ann was preceded in