Gregory Paul Alfus, 71, passed away suddenly at home on June 9, 2020. He was born May 15, 1949, in Chicago, to J. Ralph and Marie (Kirwan) Alfus. Greg had many happy memories of growing up with his four siblings “in the country” outside of Crystal Lake in a house his father built.On Nov. 5, 1977, Greg married Carol Roese. They raised their two children, Claire and Michael, in an old house in Woodstock, which Greg tended with great skill and care. He was a loving and supportive father who took great joy in watching his children come into their own.For 32 years Greg taught composition and literature at McHenry County College, where he also chaired the English Department and

Robert (Wayne) Limbaugh, 83, passed away on Wednesday, June 10, 2020, at Northwestern Medical Hospital, McHenry, Ill.“Wayne” was born to Robert James and Francis (Trisler, Chumley) Limbaugh on May 2, 1937, at Woodstock Memorial Hospital in Woodstock, Ill.He married his high school sweetheart, Nancy, on Sept. 20, 1958. They were married for 62 years. Wayne graduated from high school in 1955 and enlisted in the United States Air Force. Spent a year in Colorado training, a year in Korea, and after serving four years, ended his career at Scott Air Force Base. A proud patriot throughout his life.In 1965, Wayne and his brother, Gene, built a business known as Limbaugh’s Goodyear Service Center. With a strong work ethic and a

Alice Erber, 98, of Chandler, Ariz., formerly of Woodstock, died Monday, June 1, two months short of her 99th birthday.She was born in Chicago to Charles and Sara Bentsen and moved to Woodstock in the 1920s. She was a graduate of Woodstock High School class of 1938 and worked for Illinois Bell/AT&T until her retirement. She married George Erber in January of 1959.Alice was known for her generous spirit and willingness to offer help to anyone in need. She was a lifetime member of the Woodstock Moose Lodge, an avid bowler and card player, and was active in Grace Lutheran Church, Woodstock. She volunteered at the Woodstock food pantry, delivered meals on wheels and was always a loving mother, grandmother,

On May 20, 2020, Stephen G. Spear, 80, died of natural causes in the comfort of his home and family.He is survived by his wife, Jeri, of 56 years; daughters Mindi and Missy; son Darren (Jennifer); and four grandchildren, Ethan, Madelyn, Nolan and Liam. Steve was a very caring husband, father and grandpa, expressing this through his soft spoken nature.Steve was a dedicated eighth-grade social studies teacher at Olson Junior High in Woodstock for 30 years. For 20 of those years, he eagerly toured Washington, D.C., with his students, hoping to expand their knowledge and inspire a love of history. Steve also coached for District 200 at both the junior high and high school levels early in his career. Later

David A. Sova of Poplar Grove passed away peacefully at Mercy Health Riverside campus on May 14, 2020.He was born May 5, 1941, in Oswego, N.Y., to Lawrence and Betty (Pryor) Sova. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1958 to 1962.He married Carole Schwake on Oct. 27, 1962, in San Jose, Calif., who survives. He is also survived by a daughter, Debbie (James) Boettcher, and four sons, Robert (Belinda) Sova, Kevin (Connie) Sova, Keith (Barbara) Sova, and Larry (Patsy) Sova.He is also survived by his sisters, Josephine (Richard) Roach, Karen Sova, and Sheila (George) Todd; brothers, Daniel (Teresa) Sova and Wayne (Doreen) Sova; 16 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.He was preceded in death by his

James A. Zoia, 89, of Woodstock, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 9, 2020, at his home, surrounded by his family.He was born March 24, 1931, in Chicago to Eugene P. and Marie E. (Callahan) Zoia. He married Shirley Dacy on Sept. 13, 1958. She passed away on Dec.24, 1967. Jim then married Shirley E. Bell on June 7, 1969. She passed away on April 27, 2015.Jim was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Woodstock. He was a veteran, serving in the U.S. Army as an MP stationed in Verdun, France, during the Korean War. When he returned home after the war, he immediately went to work with his father in the family business, Zoia Monument Co. in

Dolores (Conway) Sporleder, age 92, died peacefully of natural causes on April 4, 2020, at home in Bonita Springs, Fla., with her husband, Kenny, at her side.Dolores was born on Aug. 10, 1927, in Marengo, Ill., to the late Frank and Ella (Metlicka) Holy. She was raised on a small farm and attended Kanaly school, a one-room schoolhouse that served Seneca and Marengo townships. Her family then moved to Woodstock, where she was enrolled at Woodstock High School and graduated in 1945. After that, she worked in the office of Autolite.Dolores and her first husband, William “Bill” Conway, had seven children: Kathleen, Timothy, Denise, Michael, Diane, Mary, and Daniel. When their marriage ended, Dolores raised their children on her own

It is with sadness that the family of Bobbi Lile Davis announces her unexpected passing on May 3, 2020, after suffering medical complications from an illness.Bobbi was born in Woodstock on Nov. 3, 1954, the first child of Arthur and Donna (BeGole) Lile. In 1983, she married Charles A. Davis of Greenwood.She was a 1972 graduate of Woodstock Community High School. She went on to complete her bachelor’s degree at Northern Illinois University and a MSW at George Williams College. She had retired as a social worker for the Special Education District of McHenry County after many years.Bobbi lived in Woodstock nearly all her life and resided in several homes within blocks of each other. She was “the face” of

Edward Marion Nickels, 89, a former Chicago police officer, died on May 2, 2020. Edward retired as the commander of the Bomb and Arson Division of the Chicago Police Department, after 31 years of dedicated police service. While rising in the ranks of the department and raising a family with four daughters, he took courses at night to earn a degree of Bachelor of Arts from DePaul University. He later attended DePaul University School of Law and earned his Juris Doctorate degree. After retiring from the department, Edward was appointed as the director of Arson Investigations for the office of the State Fire Marshal.He is survived by his beloved wife of 70 years, Stephany Nickels (née Madrzyk). He was the