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Obituaries

Joseph Goodman, 26

Joseph Goodman, age 26, of Woodstock, unexpectedly passed away Sept. 8, 2022 at his home. He was born in Barrington on Jan. 1, 1996, the son of Ken “Duke” and Heidi (Homola) Goodman. He enjoyed skateboarding, drawing, playing the drums, X-Box, and camping. He loved his mother’s amazing cooking and hanging out with his best friend Ivan. Joey is survived by his father, Kenneth “Duke” Goodman of Woodstock;his mother, Heidi Goodman of Anna, Texas; his brother, David Goodman of Anna, Texas; his maternal aunts and uncles, Jeff (Suzy) Homola, Terri (Pierre) Verbecken, Tim Homola, Mandi Friedman, Jaci (Greg) Grana, and Robi (Glen) Vollkommer; his paternal grandma, Carolyn (John) Goodman; aunts, Terry Goodman and Lisa (K.C.) Tomsheck; cousins, Alex, Colette and

Vernon Lyle Schiller, 85

Vernon Lyle Schiller, 85, of McHenry, died at home peacefully Monday, Sept. 5, 2022. He was born on May 5, 1937, in Marshfield, Wis.n, the 10th of 11 children to Paul K. and Lillian (Stover) Schiller. On June 6, 1959, Vern married Jean Ann Springman at the Methodist Church in Woodstock. They enjoyed raising four daughters while farming the 600 acres, 1,200 head cattle operation, Shamrock Beef Cattle Farm in McHenry.  Vern served 60 years in the beef industry, 12 years on the McHenry County Farm Bureau Board, and 10 years on the Board of the Illinois Beef Association with many trips to Springfield, Washington, D.C., and Japan during the mad cow disease. He also served eight years on the

Barbara B. Carroll, 91

Barbara B. Carroll, 91, a lifelong resident of Woodstock, died, Aug. 31, 2022, at Northwestern McHenry Hospital. She was born April 11, 1931, at Woodstock Hospital, South Street, to Frank H. and Madaline O. (Lang) Beilke, who predeceased her. On May 19, 1951, she married Edward E. Carroll at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Hartland. After celebrating a great marriage of 45 years, her beloved husband preceded her in death on Dec. 16, 1996. She graduated in 1949 from Woodstock Community High School with the class known as the “49ers.” She was an executive legal secretary/office manager in Woodstock law firms of Carroll, Leali & Gitlin, and law office of Louis F. Aiello, for 38 years, retiring in 1998. She

Kathy L. (Kirkpatrick) Johnson, 77

Kathy L. (Kirkpatrick) Johnson passed away peacefully at home on Aug. 26, 2022, in Woodstock. She was born on Sept. 21, 1944, in Platteville, Wis., to Eustice and Evelyn (Coombs) Kirkpatrick. She married Robert Johnson on Aug. 5, 1989, in Woodstock. Mrs. Johnson was retired from Woodstock School District 200, where she spent most of her career as the scheduling assistant for Woodstock High School, and in her final years as the building and grounds administrative assistant. She was a former member of the Woodstock District 200 Board of Education and president of the WSRP Union. She loved her crossword puzzles, jigsaws puzzles, and Sudoku and was quite good at them. Her real passion was plant;, she could grow anything

JoAnn Smith, 69

JoAnn Smith, 69, of Woodstock, passed away on Aug. 28, 2022, at Northwestern Medicine in McHenry. She was born Aug. 18, 1953, in Chicago to John J. and Kathleen H. (Higgins) Deady. She married Gerald M. “Jerry” Smith on July 2, 1994. JoAnn was raised in Streamwood. and graduated in 1971 from Larkin High School in Elgin. She worked at various jobs, including Baird & Warner Real Estate in St. Charles, and the Northwest Herald in Crystal Lake. She also was a longtime Mary Kay Consultant.  She was a member of the Illinois Jaycees, served as a chapter, region and state officer; was awarded the United States JCI Senate No. 51107 and served as state president of the Illinois JCI

Melissa Rae (Canto) O’Leary, 38

Melissa Rae (Canto) O’Leary, 38, passed away on Aug. 25, 2022, at Northwestern Medicine Hospital in McHenry. In death, Melissa would go on to save lives through organ donation. Melissa was born in Woodstock on Jan.27, 1984, to Reynaldo and Elisa Canto. She attended St. Mary Catholic School and Woodstock High School. Even in her youth, Melissa knew she wanted to make the world a better place. She received a Bachelor of Arts in education from Northern Illinois University in 2006 and began her career as a special education teacher. Melissa transitioned to work as a school social worker after earning a Master’s of Social Work from George Williams College of Aurora University in 2016. She worked for Woodstock School

Robert James Leverenz, 62

Robert James Leverenz was born Feb. 23, 1960, in Elgin, Ill., to Esther Kabrick and Arthur Leverenz. Rob passed into the arms of his Savior, Jesus, on Aug. 24, 2022, with his loving wife at his side.  Rob had a lifelong battle with tuberous sclerosis and intractable seizures but always remained positive. Rob married the love of his life, Cindy Nelson, on Oct. 1, 1994. They were blessed to have three wonderful children, Noah, Jonah, and Hope. Rob leaves behind his wife; children; mother, Esther Kabrick; and two brothers, Jeff (Gail) Leverenz and Dave (Vicki) Leverenz; two nephews, Derek and Daniel; and a niece, Lauren. He was preceded in death by his father.  Rob loved his children and all of

Harold Edward Bohn, 88

On Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2022, Harold Edward Bohn, beloved husband and father, passed away peacefully at Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz, Calif., at the age of 88. “Hal,” as he was known to those who knew and loved him, is survived by the love of his life, Jill Anita Bohn. Hal and Jill married on Dec. 26, 1981, and were married for 40 years. Hal was born on March 4, 1934, in Woodstock to Ernest A. and Betty G. (Grobe) Bohn. He was a 1952 graduate of Woodstock High School. He attended the Chicago Art Institute from 1953 to 1954. Hal was a veteran, serving in the Army as a private from 1955 to 1957, and then served as a reservist

Richard L. Edinger, 100

Richard L. Edinger, 100, passed away on Tuesday, June 21, 2022, at the Sequoia Hospital in Redwood City, Calif., from coronary atherosclerosis. He was born in Woodstock on Nov. 15, 1921, to Lester and Marian Marble Edinger. As Richard approached his 100thyear, he fondly reminisced of living in the sheriff’s residence, next to the Courthouse in Woodstock. This was during his dad’s tenure as county sheriff for 16 years from 1926 to 1942. Richard graduated from Duke University in 1943 and enlisted in the Army Air Corps soon after graduation. After basic training in Kansas, Texas, and Florida, he was sent to Tienian Island, from where the Enola Gay flew to bomb Hiroshima. After being discharged from the military service,

Charles E. Carroll, 80

Charles E. Carroll, age 80, of Woodstock, passed away at his home on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2022. Charles was born May 27, 1942, in LaFollette, Tenn., to Walter and Myrtle (Benge) Carroll. He married Betty Rose Shallenbarger on July 23, 1966, and spent many years with her until her death on April 23, 2010.  Charles enjoyed playing golf, shooting pool, and watching Hallmark movies. He shared a special bond and much of his time with his grandson Andrew.  He is survived by his children, Raymond (Victoria) Carroll, Brian (Carri) Carroll, Kevin (Cindy) Carroll, Edward (Andrea) Carroll, and Kimberly Carroll; brother, Kenneth (Utah) Carroll; grandchildren, Rebecca, Bethany, Mark, Charlie, Brenton, Christopher, James, Nicole, Deanna, David, Alli, Bailey, Brandon, Gunnar, Keegan, Andrew,

Top Writers

Larry Lough

Larry Lough

Larry Lough is editor of The Independent and reports local news.

Janet Dovidio

Janet Dovidio

Janet Dovidio has been a freelance correspondent for The Independent for eight years.

Susan W. Murray

Susan W. Murray

Susan W. Murray wrote for The Independent, covering various beats, from 2005 to 2008.

Tricia Carzoli

Tricia Carzoli

Tricia Carzoli is a freelance writer and photographer that on community news.

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