Justina Elizabeth “Betty” Hale, our beautiful mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, passed naturally and peacefully into her blue heaven on Feb. 21,2020, at the amazing age of 102 1/2. She was surrounded by loving family while comfortably residing at Valley Hi Nursing Home since leaving her precious home and friends in Bull Valley, Ill., in 2018. She was born Aug. 3, 1917, in Wilkes Barre, Pa., to Justina Williams Hale and Lewis Gordon Hale, and delighted in her younger brother Lewis Gordon Hale Jr. She went to high school in Scarsdale, N.Y., and graduated from Skidmore College. She was one of the first women to work at Time Inc. as a bookkeeper. She left employment when she married our

Arthur Erich Koeller, of Delavan, Wis., formerly of Woodstock, passed away Feb. 8, 2020, at his home. He was 91. Art was born Oct. 4, 1928, in Shawano, Wis., to Arthur Henry and Esther Koeller. He attended St. James Lutheran Grade School and graduated from Shawano High School in 1947. He proudly served as a member of the U.S. Navy. He was a kind and gentle man of great Christian faith. He enjoyed the outdoors all his life, camping, hunting, and fishing with his family, riding horseback, and even skydiving in his later years. He enjoyed traveling and was able to take many awesome trips with his wife. He was an avid Packers fan who loved to visit Lambeau Field

Thomas J. Nigbor, age 89, passed away peacefully with his family at his side on Feb. 19, 2020, in Woodstock, Ill. He was born in Whitefish Bay, Wis. After completing his education with help from the G.I. Bill at University of Wisconsin-Stout, he moved to Illinois to become an industrial arts teacher at Burlington Central High School and Hampshire High School before settling in at Woodstock High School for a long tenure as the auto mechanics instructor. He launched the auto shop program that led to automotive-related careers for many of his students. After retirement from teaching, he began his second career at Consumer Credit Counseling Services in Woodstock. For 25 years he worked there, serving the public. Outside of

Ann Holtman (née Wrona), 78, of Woodstock passed away peacefully surrounded by her family at Journeycare in Barrington on Feb. 15, 2020. She was born Jan. 5, 1942, in Waukegan to Sophie and Stanley Wrona. She is survived by her loving children, James, Philip, and Katherine (Matthew) Sieck; four grandchildren, Marjorie and Rene Holtman, Thomas and Ava Sieck; her siblings, Stan Wrona, Mary Aydt, John Wrona, and Therese Wolf. She was preceded in death by her parents and beloved husband, Denis Holtman. Ann was a long-time member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Woodstock. She worked as a nurse before retiring in 2010. Also in 2010 she was named Volunteer of the Year by Woodstock PADS. In lieu of flowers,

Lillian Petersen, age 95, passed away Feb. 12, 2020, in Woodstock, Ill., with her family by her side. She was born on May 24, 1924, in Chicago, Ill., the daughter of Vincent and Josephine Farace. She married the late Peter Petersen in Chicago on March 5, 1949. Lillian moved from Chicago to Lindenhurst and then to Arizona after the death of her husband. She moved back to Illinois and lived in Hoffman Estates in 1976. She was employed for many years at Unocal in Schaumburg and retired in 1989. She was a parishioner at St. Hubert’s Church in Hoffman Estates until she moved to Woodstock in 2014. Lillian was happiest when she was with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She

Gerald Robert Stieg, loving husband and father of three children, passed away on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2020, at the age of 76. Gerald (Jerry or Jerbo), was born on July 18, 1943, in Woodstock, Ill., to Walter and Bettie (Beck) Stieg. On Dec. 3, 1966, he married Linda K. Ehrke at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Woodstock, the love of his life, best friend, and constant companion for 53 years. Jerry served in the U.S. Army upon graduating from Woodstock High School and was well-known and respected in the community as the proprietor of G. Stieg & Sons Construction and Wayne’s City Lanes, as well as a member of the Woodstock Fire Department for 19½ years. Jerry loved to bowl,

Abundia “Abby” Vidales, age 78, of Woodstock, Ill., passed peacefully on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2020, with her family by her side. Abby was born on July 11, 1941, in San Antonio, Texas, to Antonio and Catarina Garcia. She loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews and was an avid Cubs and Bears fan. Abby is survived by her sons, Henry (Laura) Vidales and Roger (Rebecca) Vidales; her grandchildren, Anthony (Katie) Vidales, Alicia (Justin) Koller, Justin Vidales, Tyler Vidales, Kara Vidales, Samuel Vidales, and Jack Vidales; her great-grandchildren, McKenna Vidales, Ethan Koller, Alexis Koller, Teagan Vidales, Adalynn Vidales, and Hayden Vidales; her brother, Juan Garcia, and sister, Bernardina Llamas; and many beloved nieces and nephews. She was preceded