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Obituaries

Barbara J. Kries, 87

Barbara J. Kries, age 87, of Woodstock, passed away in her sleep peacefully on Nov. 8, 2019. She was born on Oct. 5, 1932, in Chicago to George and Elizabeth (Soukup) Conlin. Barbara was very active in her church community at St. Patrick’s of Hartland for 31 years. Prior to that she was involved in the church and school communities that she lived in. She had a love for books and was in book clubs. Barbara volunteered her time to teach children and adults reading and English as a second language. She loved to travel with her lifelong companion and husband. She enjoyed spending time with her family, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She is survived by her husband of 64 years,

Dylan Torres, 24

Dylan Torres, 24, of Woodstock, Ill., passed away Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019, after a long battle with addiction. Dylan was born Aug. 8, 1995, in McHenry, Ill., to Rudy and Natalie Torres. Dylan woke up fighting his addiction every single day and always found it in his heart to give his all to his family, his church, and his community. He loved his family and all those around him. He was a dedicated member of his church and enjoyed helping others through kindness. In a society that turns their back on those in greatest need, he was a beacon of hope for so many. Dylan was an addict but that did not define his life. His legacy is one of

Calvin F. Leisch, 95

A memorial service for Calvin F. Leisch, 95, of Kalona, Iowa, formerly of Woodstock, Ill., will be held Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019, at 2 p.m. at the Schneider, Leucht, Merwin & Cooney Funeral Home in Woodstock. The family will greet friends from 12:30 p.m. until the time of service. Calvin Leisch died Monday, Oct. 28, 2019, at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City. Memorial funds may be directed to the Wounded Warrior Project. Calvin Francis Leisch was born Sept. 6, 1924, in Woodstock, the son of Roland and Laura (Boyd) Leisch. He graduated from Woodstock High School, and on July 27, 1946, he was united in marriage to Barbara Booth. Calvin farmed most of his life and was a supervisor at

Mathew R.P. Perrone

It is with our deepest sorrow we announce that Mathew R.P. Perrone (“Mat”) passed away yesterday morning [Oct. 23] after a long battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife, Diane; sister, Jill Perrone; brother, Mark Perrone; nephew, Kevin; his daughters, Lynn Ellen (and her husband, Steven Gruneisen) and Mary Elizabeth (and her husband, Daniel Kapusta); his son, Michael Roy; and his grandchildren: James Patrick, Hannah Lynn, Ethan James and Kayla Rose. His younger sister, Kathy (James) Hansen, passed away one year ago. Also surviving are sister-in-law Leah Johnson, brothers-in-law Raymond (Carol) Fligg, Robert (Eileen) Fligg, and Raw Wilson, and many nieces and nephews. He has close ties to many Hardy cousins, particularly Douglas, Charles and Gayle and their

Louis Francis Barone, 92

Louis Francis Barone, 92, of Woodstock, passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2019, at his home surrounded by his family. He was born Aug. 7, 1927, in Cicero, Ill., to Selvino and Mary (Geraldi) Barone. Mr. Barone enlisted in the Navy in June of 1944, upon graduation from high school. He graduated DePaul University School of Law in 1951. He passed the Illinois State Bar exam on his first attempt as he was able to take the test prior to graduation due to being recalled to service because of the Korean War. His recall was eventually canceled. He married Joan Sweeney on June 3, 1961. He was elected Hanover Park Village trustee, then village clerk, then village president, the latter

Janet M. ‘Jan’ (Locke) Tornow, 81

July 11, 1938-Oct. 15, 2019 Janet M. “Jan” Tornow died Oct. 15, 2019. She was 81 years old. She was born July 11, 1938, in Elgin, Ill., to Edward T. and Edith M. (Hollarbush) Locke. She graduated from Woodstock Community High School in 1956. After High School Jan worked at the Woodstock Courthouse in the Sheriff’s Office and at Hubert’s Pharmacy, where she met John K. “Bud” Tornow. She and Bud were united in marriage on Aug. 16, 1958, in Woodstock, Ill., where Bud built her a lovely home in Walrose Manor. In 1960 they welcomed their first daughter, Teri Lynn, and in 1963 were blessed with their second daughter, Cynthia Sue. In 1969 Jan and Bud moved to Colorado.

Orient Michael Melone, 90

Orient Michael Melone, beloved husband of Patricia Ann, passed away on Oct. 16, 2019, in Barrington, Ill. He was born in Chicago on Aug. 24, 1929. Preceded in death by his son, Orient Michael Melone III (1956-1963) and grandson Michael Patrick Melone (1991-2010), he is survived by his sister, Filomena Melone; his children, Bourke Patrick (Elaine) Melone, Maria (Tim) Nygard, James (Kathleen) Melone, and Mark (Michaelene) Melone; and his grandchildren, Colleen, Susanna, Julia, Jamie, Hannah, Emma, and Ethan. He called Woodstock, Ill., his home for over 60 years. A true patriot, he was proud to have served his country as a corporal in the Military Police Corps. He also leaves a legacy of a distinguished career at the CNA Financial

Donna-Marie Gazdziak, 66

Donna-Marie Gazdziak, 66, of Woodstock, passed away on Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019, at the Northwestern Medicine Hospital in Huntley. She was born March 7, 1953, in Chicago to Francis X. and Dorothie (Lundeen) Corcoran. She married Michael Gazdziak on Feb. 14, 1981. Donna-Marie was a strong and kind woman known for her quick wit and ability to always see the bright side of any circumstance. She was deeply involved in her children’s lives – from serving as a Girl Scout Troop Leader and Boy Scout Troop committee member, to supporting their involvement in school theater and competitive athletics, to sending them homemade cookies across the country. She was an interior designer for People’s Gas in Chicago, an early member of

Jerome B. Doty, 71

Jerome B. Doty, 71, of Rockford, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2019. He was born Dec. 29, 1947, in Woodstock, Ill., the son of Everet and Lucille (Mends) Doty. Jerome grew up on a farm in Woodstock. Jerome married the love of his life, Suzanne Arko, on Nov. 1, 1980. He was self-taught man with a good sense of humor. He was a John Deere guy. Jerome enjoyed his gadgets, science fiction movies and gardening. He retired from OSF St. Anthony Medical Center working in the boiler room. He will be dearly missed by those who knew and loved him. Survived by his loving wife, Suzanne; brothers-in-law, Ed (Betty) Arko and Bob (Gayle) Arko; sister-in-law, Angie (Ray) Soper; numerous nieces

Barry A. Lamb Sr., 75

Barry A. Lamb Sr., 75, of Woodstock, Ill., passed away Wednesday Oct. 9, 2019, at Northwestern Medicine Huntley Hospital in Huntley, Ill. Barry was born Oct. 22, 1943, to the late Robert and Jeanne (Pilotte) Lamb in Kankakee, Ill. Barry is survived by his wife of 53 years, Christine; children Barry Jr. (Sandy) Lamb, Jennifer (Todd) Gedville and Carrie Calandrelli; grandchildren Alayna Lamb, Zachary Gedville, Christopher Calandrelli and Emily Calandrelli. Survivors also include his sisters Patricia (Ronald) Carlson, Linda Lynch Smithers, Roberta Perrin, Kathleen (Arvel) Kidd, and brother Thomas, and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, and great-great-nieces and -nephews. He was also preceded in death by his brother, William. Barry graduated with a B.A. in education from Eastern Illinois

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

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Susan W. Murray

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

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