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Obituaries

James D. Hodges, 93

James D. Hodges, 93, of Woodstock, Ill., passed away on Feb 22, 2019, in Surprise, Ariz. Born in Cherokee County, Georgia, on June 22, 1925, to George and Ada Elliot Hodges, Jim was their only child. He married Ruth Berg Bohn Hodges on May 11, 1991. Jim was a loan officer at The State Bank of Woodstock for over 20 years and retired from Harris Bank in Barrington. He was very active in Lions Club, Shriners, and was the finance officer at the American Legion. He particularly enjoyed playing “Santa” at the hut on the square and in the Christmas parade. Jim served our country during World War II and the Korean Conflict. He was awarded a Purple Heart and

Everett Donald Hunter, 92

“Better days are comin’,” Everett Donald Hunter would often say. That day came for him on Jan. 10, 2019. At home on Saint Patrick’s Road, surrounded by the love of his earthly family near and far, Everett made the journey to join his beloved deceased mother, Laura Vasey Hunter, father, Donald James Hunter, brother James and sister Loretta (Donald) Soland. Everett entered this world at home on the family farm on Bull Valley Road in McHenry on Feb. 15, 1927, the third of six children. He is survived by Vera Wingate of Crystal Lake, Marie (David) Payne of Hartland, and Robert Hunter of Sterling. “Evie” had fond memories of attending Clemens Country School, taught by his adored teacher, Eileen Fitzgerald.

Elaine Marguerite Eisenmenger, 80

Elaine Marguerite Eisenmenger, 80, of Woodstock, passed away at home on Feb. 11, 2019. She was born July 2, 1938, to John A and Marguerite E. (McPhee) Hunter. She married Gerald Eisenmenger in Woodstock on May 27, 1961. Elaine was born and raised on the family farm where she developed her great love of animals. She attended Woodstock High School for three years, but graduated from the Hebron High School after the family moved to that area. She and her best friend both earned perfect attendance for all four years of school. She took her first and only job with the State Bank of Woodstock. She worked for many years until her children were born, at which time she took

Thomas F. Schroeder, 77

Thomas F. Schroeder, 77, died Feb. 2, 2019, at JourneyCare Hospice in Woodstock, Ill. Tom was born on March 24, 1941, in Woodstock to Harry H. and Margaret F. (Miles) Schroeder. He attended St. Mary Grade School and was a graduate of St. Mary High School in Woodstock. In 1960 Tom joined the U.S. Army and served his country for three years. After the military he returned to Woodstock and married Sharon L. Church on July 20, 1968, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Woodstock. Together, they raised three children: Jeffrey, Christine and Timothy. In their early years, they lived on Greenwood Road and farmed the land. In 1974 Tom joined the McHenry County Sheriff’s Department and served for 23

Dona Lowrimore

Former Woodstock resident Dona Lowrimore, an attorney, passionate advocate, and stellar host, passed away on Jan. 29 in Pescia, Italy, from a sudden and debilitating illness. She had been living in the mountain town of Montecatini Alto in Tuscany with her husband, Larry, for the past five years. They renovated Villa Torquato, a magnificent 16th century home with stunning views, and their olive oil is cherished annually by friends in Italy and America. A graduate of The John Marshall Law School in 1990 at the age of 48, she practiced family law in McHenry County for more than 20 years. She was a passionate advocate for children during custody battles. In 1996, Dona opened a successful solo law practice on

Julia Ann Howell, 92

Julia Ann Howell, 92, of Woodstock, passed away on Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019, at her home. She was born Dec. 5, 1926, in Woodstock to Gilbert J. and Rose (McCabe) Carroll Sr. She married Charles E. “Chuck” Howell on Sept. 12, 1953, at St. Patrick Church in Hartland. Mrs. Howell was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Woodstock. She had worked as an RN in the Woodstock Hospital, and was kept very busy raising her seven children. She enjoyed bowling and golf. She is survived by her children, Robert (Alice), Lawrence (Kris), Laura, Donald, Denise, Nancee (Roswell), Edward (Maryellen); and six grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Chuck Howell, in 2017; and her

Phillip Edward Grask, 63

Phillip Edward Grask, 63, of Woodstock, passed away on Jan. 17, 2019, at the Northwestern Medicine Woodstock Hospital.He was born July 8, 1955, in Chicago to Edward and Ann (Ruth) Grask. He married Jayne Voss on Sept. 27, 1986. at the Ascension Church in Oak Lawn. Phillip was a 1973 graduate of the Harold L. Richards High School, in Oak Lawn, and attended college at the Moraine Valley Community College in Palos Hills. After college, Phillip joined the U.S. Marines. During his tour of duty with the Marines, he served as a corporal and USMC Squad Leader, 1st Platoon Golf Company 2nd Battalion 7th Marine Regiment 1st Marine Division. After serving his country, he began a 35-year career as a plumber.

Rebecca Walkington, 73

Born: July 7, 1945 At Rest: Jan. 16, 2019 For many of her friends and family, the most vivid image of Rebecca Walkington is of a determined woman wearing gloves stained green, bending to pull up swatches of garlic mustard that had invaded a lovely spread of forest on the slope of Bull Valley, where she lived. While raising a large, loving family of six kids, Becky devoted herself to good causes, ranging from human rights to help for people with disabilities to protecting the environment. Her efforts toward preserving the woodlands and prairie will have a lasting impact on McHenry County. She died Jan. 16, 2019, at 73 after a brief illness. The daughter of Richard and Elizabeth Babcock,

Priscilla Anne Ormes, 90

Priscilla Anne Ormes née Ellis, 90, passed away on Dec. 11, 2018, in Arlington Heights, Ill. Priscilla was born in Richmond Heights, Mo., on Feb. 6, 1928. She graduated with her B.A. from University of Chicago and pursued graduate work in English Literature at Bard College. She spent her life working in media, including as a series columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times as Priscilla Bourke Ellis. Priscilla loved her many pussy cats over the years, had a passion for reading, enjoyed swimming in her condo pool, and played a very competitive game of Scrabble. Loving mother of Orient Michael Melone III (1956-1963) and Bourke Patrick (Elaine) Melone; dedicated grandmother of Michael Melone (1991-2010), Colleen Melone, and Susanna Melone; cherished daughter

Rosemary Gancar, 95

Rosemary Gancar, age 95, passed away Monday, Dec. 31, 2018, at her residence in Mt. Sterling, Ky. She was a 70-year resident of Woodstock, Ill., before she and her husband moved to Nebraska to be nearer family. Rosemary was the daughter of George and Margaret Stoffel. She married J. William Gancar in 1945, and they celebrated 59 years together. They were blessed with two children, Claudia Blauer and William G. Gancar, both of Mt. Sterling, Ky. She was a veteran of WWII serving as a flight line mechanic with the United States Army Air Corps. She was active on a number of civic and governmental bodies for the city of Woodstock and was a familiar figure at the McHenry County

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