Evelyn ‘Evie’ Fischer, 90 A beautiful voice has been added to the heavenly choir. Evelyn “Evie” Fischer, age 90, of Woodstock, passed away Dec. 29, 2018. She was born on Dec. 20, 1928 to Roger and Ella (Beu) Scofield. She married the late Theodore Fischer on June 29, 1973. Evie was the office manager for Dr. John R. Tambone for over 40 years. She was a very active member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Woodstock. She sang in the choir, served on numerous committees, and attended Bible study. She was active with Easter Seals when it was first formed and was also a member of the Woodstock Fine Arts Association. She enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles, and watching chickadees and

Marilyn (Lynn) Dibler Leigh, a resident of Albuquerque, N.M., since 1969, passed away Nov. 13, 2018, at the age of 94. She was born July 3, 1924, in Woodstock, Ill., the daughter of Rose and George Henry Dibler. Marilyn was raised by her paternal grandparents, Mary and Lincoln Dibler, after the death of her birth mother. She is survived by her daughter, Pam Leigh, who lovingly cared for her over the many years; and granddaughters, Aimee Duran and Doris Pilliod. She is preceded in death by her daughter, Debbie Duran, and cousin, Jean Reed, of Woodstock, Ill. Marilyn attended Illinois Wesleyan University, where she was a member of Kappa Delta sorority. Marilyn joined TWA (Trans World Airlines) as a hostess

Jimmie Lou Elyea (Farel), 72, started her journey with the lord on Dec.15, 2018, around 11 a.m. surrounded by family. Jimmie was born in Bakersfield, Mo., on March 25, 1946, to Faye Holstine (Farel). She married Darrel “Butch” Elyea, the love of her life, on Sept. 11, 1971, in Woodstock, Ill. Together they were blessed with one daughter, Heather Arenas (m. Pedro), who gave her two granddaughters, Rikki and Randi, and one great-granddaughter, Mila. Their son, Timothy Elyea, gave them four granddaughters, Morgan, Macey, Taylor and Toni, and two great-grandchildren, Gavin and Avery. Jimmie is survived by her loving husband and their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, as well as her siblings, James “Buck” Hayes, Gene (m. Connie) Farel, Jack Lawing,

Leonard Dale Mitchell of Rio, Ill., passed away peacefully at St. Mary’s Hospital in Galesburg on Sunday morning. He was 93 years old. Leonard was born to Archie and Meriby Mitchell in Humeston, Iowa, on April 26, 1925. On Feb. 10, 1945, he married Thelma Jewell Bardwell. To that union four children were born: Eva S. (James) Ramsay of Baton Rouge, La.; Carolyn K. (Ted) Kowalewycz of St. Joseph, Mo.; Francis D. Mitchell (deceased); and Leonard N. Mitchell of Woodstock, Ill. Thelma preceded him in death on May 14, 1978. On Oct. 20, 1988, he married Betty Norris. They were together until her death on Nov. 7, 1998. Leonard graduated as class valedictorian from Humeston High School in 1942. He

[two_third_last]Carolyn Gail Richards, 92, of La Porte, Ind., passed away Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018. Carolyn was born Aug. 12, 1926, in Antigo, Wis., to Paul and Blanche (Jewell) Dawley. On Oct. 10, 1946, in St. Paul, Minn., Carolyn married Richard J. Richards, who preceded her in death on Jan. 31, 1998. Carolyn was a member of Agape Christian Church. She loved participating in bowling, downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, snow shoeing, tennis, and playing horseshoes. She loved animals, bird watching, being outdoors, nature and her family. She was a lifelong fan of the Green Bay Packers. Carolyn is survived by her twin sister, Carol (Dawley) Guenther; five daughters, Jacqueline Hardesty of La Porte, Ind., Susan Richards of Woodstock, Illinois, Kathy (Hugh)

Joan Murphy-Galloway, 94, of Woodstock, passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2018, at her home. She was born May 30, 1924, in Macomb, Ill., to Howard and Gladys (Simpson) Newland. Beloved wife of two wonderful husbands, the late Clifton “Clink” Murphy, and the late Richard Galloway; loving mother of Thomas M.D. (Jennifer) and Paul (Anita) Murphy; proud grandmother of Tommy M.D. and Caitlin Murphy; dearest sister of Jean Wheeler and the late Barbara Subject; loved by many nieces, nephews, and friends. Joan attended Western Academy in Macomb. She was a past president of the Woman’s Auxiliary of Centegra Hospital. She enjoyed crafts, playing bridge, and being in a book club. She will be missed by all who knew her. There

Betty M. Thiede, 91, of Woodstock, passed away peacefully on Friday, Dec.7, 2018, at Valley Hi Nursing Home in Woodstock with her family by her side. She was born in Chicago on April 4, 1927, to Loyd and Pearl (Allen) McCannon. When the Depression hit in 1929, she moved with her family back to Woodstock to be raised on a dairy farm. She attended the University of Illinois for one year before coming home to be a legal secretary for Hugh Deneen and Vette Kell. After that she started at the McHenry County Courthouse, where she worked for 29 years becoming the secretary of the McHenry County Board. She enjoyed being in McHenry County’s political circle. She was a current

Terry Michael McNeese died at Peppi’s Hospice Home in Tucson, Ariz., on Nov. 24, 2019. Terry battled Stage 4 lung cancer for three years with courage and fortitude through many rounds of chemotherapy and radiation treatment. He was continually surrounded by family and friends. He was born in Belvidere, Ill., on June 17, 1945. Terry attended Marengo High School and upon graduation entered the United States Air Force from 1964-1968. Terry met his wife, Gretchen Saladin McNeese, in 1969 while Gretchen was attending Northern Illinois University. The two were married Aug. 15, 1970. In 1970 Terry owned and operated Beard & Stovall on the Woodstock Square with his partner Rich Mann. Terry later became sole owner of Beard & Stovall