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Obituaries

Hervey James Warriner

Hervey James Warriner

Hervey James Warriner was born on May 29, 1952, to Rachel Jean McIntyre and William Wells Warriner in Freeport, Ill. He passed away at the age of 66 on Oct. 5, 2018. He is survived by his wife, Linda Hamer Warriner; his son, Elias William Warriner; and his niece, Rachel Benell Bednar Blanford of Minneapolis. He was preceded in death by his sister, Hallie Jean Warriner Bednar, and his parents. Hervey grew up in Belvidere Ill., graduating from Belvidere High School in 1970. He then attended Millikin University-Decatur, where he majored in theater and music, performing with the university choir across the U.S. and Europe. Upon graduation, Hervey opened Copy Express print shop in Woodstock. After managing Copy Express for

Peggy Stevens Hill

Peggy Stevens Hill, 91, died Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2018, at Valley Hi Nursing Home in Woodstock, Ill., from complications of pancreatic cancer. Peggy was born on Oct. 11, 1926, to George E. Stevens and Virginia Ray Hook Stevens (both deceased) in Salem, Mo. Peggy grew up in and around Rolla, Mo., which she called home. She attended Rolla High School. She married William Edward Hill (deceased) on July 4, 1946, divorced him in 1968, and never remarried. Peggy had many careers in her lifetime. She worked as a newspaper reporter both in Salem, Ill., and in Rolla, Mo. She was also the church secretary for many years at the First Presbyterian Church in Rolla, Mo. After retiring from the church,

James (Jim) E. Baker

James (Jim) E. Baker, 55, of Woodstock, Ill., passed away on Oct. 5 unexpectedly in his home. Jim was born on Aug. 16, 1963, to Harold E. and Crystal A. (Scott) Baker in Woodstock, Ill. He attended Woodstock High School. Shortly after Jim graduated high school, he started delivering pizzas for Napoli Pizza, where he later ended up buying the business from Dino in 1985. His love for the community was inexpressible. From donations to numerous organizations, always taking care of the first responders, and making sure that all of the schools had food for every event. He touched so many lives, and was always there to feed families in need or mourning. Jim took a little pizza joint located

Lillian S. Behrens

Lillian S. Behrens, 99, of Woodstock, passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018, at the Valley Hi Nursing Home. She was born Nov. 29, 1918, in Savanna, Ill., to Frank and Sarah (Rath) Ehredt. Lillian grew up in Volo, Ill. She enlisted in the U.S. Army in March of 1942, serving as an RN assigned to the command of Gen. George S. Patton. She served 4 years, including 6 months overseas in the E.T.O. Honorably discharged in February of 1946, she was awarded six Battle Stars and numerous Ribbons. She was a past Commander of the American Legion in Hebron, and a member of the Woodstock VFW. Lillian enjoyed being with her family, and the company of all the family

Mary Ellen Burg

Mary Ellen Burg, 84, of Woodstock, Ill. passed away on Sept. 10, 2018, at her home. She was born in Woodstock, Ill., on Jan. 17, 1934, to Harold and Mary Agnes (Bolger) Evans. She was the oldest of three children. She graduated from St. Mary High School in 1951. On Sept. 7, 1953, she married Joseph C. Burg at St. Mary Church in Woodstock. Together, they had five children. After graduating from high school, Mary Ellen worked at the First National Bank of Woodstock until she started a family. For many years Mary Ellen was a homemaker focused on raising her children.  She started working part time for Welcome Wagon, introducing newcomers to the city of Woodstock and its services

Craig Scott Hunt

Craig Scott Hunt

Craig Scott Hunt, age 56, of Webb City, Mo., passed away July 30, 2018, at his home. He was born on Jan. 9, 1962, in Woodstock to Ralph and Ruth (Sherman) Hunt. Craig graduated from Woodstock High School with the class of 1980. In 1981 he moved to California, where he lived for a few years before moving to Joplin, Mo., to live with his sister Kristy and her husband, Bill. He worked for Tamko Building Products and eventually bought a home where he lived for several years. He then bought a new home where he lived for several years and changed jobs and worked for Hampshire Products.  His next move was to a new home in Webb City, Mo.,

George R. DeRaedt

George R. DeRaedt, 75, of Woodstock, died Monday, Sept. 3, 2018, at Hearthstone Communities in Woodstock. He was employed at Arnold Engineering in Marengo for more than 50 years. Services and interment were private.

Charlotte W. Baxter

Charlotte W. Baxter

Charlotte W. Baxter, age 85, of Woodstock, beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, passed away Sept. 8, 2018, at Autumn Leaves in Crystal Lake, Ill. She was born May 22, 1933, to Walter and Nelle (Madigan) Wilson. Charlotte grew up on a farm in Champaign, Ill. She was the youngest of eight children. Charlotte’s elementary years were spent attending Dunham School (one-room schoolhouse) with her siblings. She attended high school at Champaign Central. Charlotte pursued her dream of becoming a nurse and graduated from the Burnham School of Nursing, Champaign, in 1954. During her nurse’s training she met her best friend and future husband, Darrell Baxter, who was a student at the University of Illinois. They married May 15, 1954, in

Endel Vann

Endel Vann, 81, of Winter Haven, Fla., formerly of Wonder Lake, Ill., passed away at his home surrounded by loved ones on Aug. 9, 2018. Endel was born Sept. 28, 1936, to Hindrek and Miina (Maripuu) Vann in Saaremaa, Estonia. Endel immigrated to the United States in November 1949. Endel graduated from Crystal Lake Community High School and then served in the United States Army for three years. Endel was employed by TC Trucking Co. of Crystal Lake, Ill., as a trucker until his retirement. On March 11, 2006, Endel married Geraldine (Gerry) Bernert. Endel will be sorely missed by his dear wife, Gerry. Endel is survived by his wife, Geraldine; by his three children, one stepdaughter, and four grandchildren.

H. Evalyn (Evelyn) Jarrett

H. Evalyn (Evelyn) Jarrett

H. Evalyn (Evelyn) Jarrett, 72, of Woodstock, died Wednesday, July 4, 2018, at home while surrounded by family. She was born Nov. 5, 1945, in Rockford, a daughter of the late Floyd and Hazel (Thompson) Sherman. She was adopted by the Rev. Cecil and MaryAnn Urch. She was married to Norval “Bud” Jarrett on Nov. 25, 1972, in Woodstock, and he preceded her in death Oct. 24, 2008. She was a medical records coordinator at Hearthstone Senior Living in Woodstock for 22 years before retiring in 2012. She also had worked at Woodstock Die Cast for many years. Evalyn is survived by two daughters, Colleen A. Quinn and Candice L. Prince; five grandchildren, Kristoffer Jarrett Radke, Stephanie Evalyn Brown, Adam

Top Writers

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Larry Lough

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

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Janet Dovidio

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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Tricia Carzoli

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

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