John A. Kruse, 70, of Woodstock, Ill., passed away peacefully at his home Monday, Nov. 18, 2019, after a five-year battle with prostate cancer. John was born Nov. 10, 1949, to the late Paul and Carol Kruse in Addison, Ill. The family moved to rural Woodstock in 1957. He was a U.S. Navy veteran serving on a mine sweeper in the Mediterranean during the late 1960s at the height of the Cold War. He had a 48-year career as the “Cable Guy,” starting out digging ditches in the initial cable install days in Coventry, Lake in the Hills, Algonquin, and Carpentersville, and retired as a highly regarded field engineer upgrading and installing cable systems all over North America. John was

Dr. William Larsen was born in Oak Park, Ill., on October 4, 1935, to Roy and Gertrude (Voss) Larsen. He spent his childhood and years in active medical practice in Woodstock, Ill. Following graduation from Woodstock Community High School, he attended the University of Illinois College of Pharmacy in Chicago graduating in 1957, and following that was accepted into the College of Medicine at the Chicago campus. His internship and residency in obstetrics and gynecology was at St. Francis Hospital in Peoria, Ill. For 20 years he practiced his specialty in Woodstock, and at the age of 50 switched careers and became medical director for Cigna and Humana corporations at various locations around the country. During his retirement years, William

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, 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

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

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

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.

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