Ronald A. Hammer, 60, Woodstock, died April 15, 2018, after a battle with cancer. He was the son of the late Alvin and Dorothy Hammer. He enjoyed working at Charter Manufacturing in Woodstock. He also enjoyed classic cars, food, and spending time with his family, including pets. Survivors include his wife, Kathleen; two daughters, Kandice (Jacob) and Rachel; and many other family members. Services were private.
Chester R. Grubba, 88, Woodstock, died Sunday, April 15, 2018, at his home. He was born July 31, 1929, to Nick and Rose (Poterek) Grubba in Chicago. On May 4, 1952, he married Dorothy M. Mika in Chicago. She died March 13, 2015. Survivors include a son, Kenneth (Pamela) Grubba; two daughters, Rosemary (Gary) Pope and Joyce Dalton; grandchildren, Brian (Tina), Branden (Heather), Jonathan, Carrie (Steven), Jason (Kate), Heather (Ray), Jessica (Erik), Ryan, Kelly (Willie III), and Courtney; great-grandchildren, Ethan, Malaina, Megan, Madalyn, Macie, Hayden, Jackson, Caroline, Cameron, Brianna, Danny, Xavier, Willie IV, and twins due the end of May; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; and two sons, Laurence and
Paul Leland Cornue, 72, Lake Geneva, died Wednesday, April 18, 2018, following a long bout with cancer. He was born October 4, 1945, to Stanley Huntington and Meta Adele (Felbeck) Cornue in Harvard. Paul grew up in Hebron and graduated from Alden-Hebron High School in 1963. Following four years at the University of Illinois, he served three years in the U.S. Army including one year in Vietnam as a combat veteran. After Paul was discharged from the Army, he returned to the University of Illinois, where he earned a Master of Business Administration degree. Using his education, he spent his working life in computer programming and information technology. He was an active scuba diver and was involved in the discovery
Donna L. Strain, 91, died peacefully April 12, 2018, after a brief illness. She was born Dec. 10, 1926, to Thomas and Fern (Miller) Boyd in Bryant, South Dakota. On April 22, 1949, she married James H. Strain in Huron, South Dakota. Donna and James owned and operated the Pantry Delicatessen for over 26 years. She also worked for many years as a cosmetologistesthetician at the House of Hair in Woodstock. Survivors include two sons, Charles (Carol) Strain, Henderson, Nevada, and Douglas Strain, McHenry; three daughters, Kathryn (John) Cole, Marsha Giles, Woodstock, and Rosemary McKay, Noblesville, Indiana; two grandchildren, Elizabeth (Zoran) Cetusic and Erin (Brian) Benak both of Indiana; six great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in
Susan Randall, 89, Woodstock, died Friday, April 6, at White Oaks Manor, McHenry. She was born July 3, 1928, to Roy and Birdie Kindelspire in Morris. She was a graduate of Lutheran Deaconess College with a nursing degree and spent several years as a registered nurse in her hometown of Morris. Although classmates from the same high school, she renewed her friendship with Randy Randall while treating him for a minor injury, and they fell in love and were later married. She left nursing to raise her two boys, Bruce and Jason, who now survive her. Survivors also include her daughters-in-law Marie and Joann; and three grandchildren, Erin, Evan and Grayson. Susan and Randy celebrated 63 years of marriage shortly
Sally A. Worm, 75, Woodstock, died Friday, March 30, 2018, in McHenry. She was born March 30, 1943, to Lawrence and Bessie (Aavang) Worm in Woodstock. She worked at Guardian Electric for many years doing solder work. She was a member and taught Sunday school at Grace Lutheran Church. She was a member of Greenwood Gremlins 4-H Club and enjoyed gardening, quilting, and bird watching. Survivors include three sisters, Peggy Miotto, Pat (John) Rowe and Linda (Richard) Sporleder; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents. Memorial visitation will begin at 1 p.m. Tuesday, April 10, until the funeral at 11 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, 1300 Kishwaukee Valley Road, Woodstock. Memorial donations may be
Diane M. Schreiber, 63, Woodstock, died Sunday, April 1, 2018, at her home. She was born Aug. 17, 1954, to Richard and Margaret “Peggy” (Hallisy) Menzel in Woodstock. On Sept. 27, 1975, she married Leroy Schreiber at St. Patrick’s Church, Hartland. She was a lifelong member of St. Mary Catholic Church, Woodstock, and a graduate of Marian Central Catholic High School. She was employed for many years at Buschkopf Pharmacy, Woodstock, and most recently with American Ad Bag. She was a very talented seamstress, having made wedding gowns and dresses for dozens of weddings, as well as creating costumes for events such as the Renaissance Fair. Survivors include a daughter, Elizabeth (Joshua) Rowe, Forest Park; her parents, Dick and Peg
Everett L. Kuhn, 102, of Marco Island, Florida, and Woodstock, died March 26, 2018, with his life partner, Lois Nelson, at his side. Born May 9, 1915, and raised in the farm country of Richmond, he was the son of the late Joseph and Vena Smith Kuhn. Always interested in mechanical endeavors, Everett built and overhauled cars before he finished high school. In addition, he worked for the state, starting as a surveyor and eventually doing bridge and building engineering. He was offered an opportunity to work for the Kraft Foods Co. in its engineering department. His career took him all over the U.S. and to the Panama Canal to supervise new construction and renovation of acquired food manufacturing facilities.
Charles E. Kopsell, 86, died March 11, 2018, at his home in Lake, Michigan. He was born Dec. 31, 1931, in Crystal Lake to George and Lillian E. (Wilson) Kopsell. He was a Korean War veteran, retiring from the Army in March 1953 with 100 percent disability. Clarence married Donna Brandeberry July 23, 1952, in Woodstock. They owned and operated an assisted living home for 38 years. He is survived by two daughters, Susan Easlick, Lake, and Sandra Reid Bragg, Arcadia, Florida; and several grandchildren and great-grandchilden. He was preceded in death by his wife, six sisters, and six brothers. A graveside service with military honors will be held later.
Timothy Downes, 62, of Woodstock, died Sunday April 1, 2018, in his sleep at home. He was a 1974 graduate of Woodstock High School and a lifelong resident of Woodstock. Tim and his wife, Nancy, were married for 31 years. He was in outside sales in the corrugated packing business. Tim was an avid golfer and gardener with the wonderful sense of humor of a true prankster. Tim is survived by his wife, Nancy; his mother, Mary; a daughter, Eva; a son, Nolan, a sister, Marylou; a sister, Suzanne; a brother, Bill; and many cousins, extended family and good friends. His father, William and two sisters, Jeannette and Maureen, preceded him in death. A celebration of life was held April
Larry Lough is editor of The Independent and reports local news.
Janet Dovidio has been a freelance correspondent for The Independent for eight years.
Susan W. Murray wrote for The Independent, covering various beats, from 2005 to 2008.
Tricia Carzoli is a freelance writer and photographer that on community news.
