Jacqueline Louise Sara, 57, Woodstock, died suddenly Friday, Dec. 8, 2017. She was born in Patchogue, NY. She graduated from Harborfields High School, Greenlawn, NY, and later Valley Forge Christian College, Phoenixville, PA, with a Bachelor of Religious Education. She earned a master’s degree in organizational leadership. She worked for many years as a special education job coach, music teacher and teacher of young children at North Port Baptist Church, Smithtown Gospel Tabernacle and Hearthstone Early Learning Center, as kids were a joy and passion in her life. She always was active in church activities and loved singing and traveling. She did both of those through her college years at Valley Forge as well as recently, as she and her

Joanne Marie Peterson Johnson, 91, Woodstock, died Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2017, at her home. She was born Nov. 29, 1926, to Raymond and Lillie (Bloom) Peterson in Rockford. On Dec. 22, 1950, she married Donald R. Johnson. Survivors include her husband; daughters, Dianne Johnson Wagner and Ellen (Chris) Johnson Dahm; grandchildren, Matt Gummerson, Jennifer (Kyle) Dahm Oliver, Philip (Kristen) Dahm, Bryan Dahm and Paul Vivirito; and great-grandchildren, Lily and Regan Oliver and Gavin and Madeline Dahm. She was preceded in death by two daughters, Nancy Johnson Anders and Patricia Johnson Vivirito; and her parents. Services were private. Arrangements were made by Davenport Family Funeral Home.

Roger D. Close, 80, Woodstock, died Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017, at JourneyCare Hospice, Woodstock. He was born Nov. 13, 1937, in Fort Wayne, IN, to Charles and Marge (Cook) Close. On Sept. 5,1958, he married Phyllis Sherman in Fort Wayne, IN. He earned his jet aircraft and engine license at Chanute AirForce Technical School. He worked for Delta Airlines, Borg Warner Research Center, Packer Engineering and retired from ITW. He enjoyed golfing, fishing, canoeing, sailing and camping, from tents to trailers to “Close Enough 2 Camping” motor home. He traveled to every state and loved to go on cruises. His greatest passion was woodworking. He was an all- around “Mr.Fix-it.”  He was a member and volunteer at the Woodstock Moose

Margaret Phillips Steinam, M.D., 94, Mequon, WI, formerly of Woodstock, died Monday, Nov. 20, 2017. She was born June 30, 1923. “Maggie” or “Speed” or “Sprouty,” as she was known to family and friends, was a true Renaissance woman, accomplishing much in her lifetime. After graduating from the University of Illinois, she spent a brief period as the Dean of Women at Iowa, then went on to nursing school at the University of Minnesota. Still feeling she could accomplish more, she attended medical school at Northwestern University, where she also completed her residency in internal medicine. She and her husband, Ed, moved to Woodstock, where she had a very successful medical practice. In addition to her academic pursuits, she was

Rory Robert Semrau, 53, McHenry, died Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2017, at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born Oct. 13, 1964, to Walter Semrau and Dianne Kay Rush in Woodstock. He was a carpenter by trade who took pride in his work. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing and any other outdoor activities. Survivors include his parents, Diane Kay and Mark Rush; a brother, Patrick (Christina) Rush; sons, David (Jessica) Helmeid and Ryan Robert Semrau; grandparents, Jim and Rita Valley; grandchildren, Emmaline and Xavier; nieces Breanna and Kayla; and aunts and uncles. He was preceded in death by his father; grandmothers, Dorothy Semrau and Zenith Vela; an uncle, Patrick Vermett; a cousin, Bobby; and

Craig A. Nulle, 68, died Wednesday, Nov. 22, in Anaheim, CA. He graduated from Garden Grove High School in 1967. He earned two master’s degrees in history and accounting, and was employed as a revenue agent for the Internal Revenue Service for 31 years prior to his retirement. Survivors include his mother, Patricia Herrod; a brother, Douglas Nulle, Nevada; half-brothers, James Herrod, Texas, Glenn Nulle, Nevada, and Bruce Nulle, Illinois; and a half-sister, Ruth Nulle-Hoxie, Illinois. He was preceded in death by his father, Henry A Nulle; and grandparents, Henry and Ora Nulle, and Harry and Nelle Lipe. Services were held Dec. 2 at Buena Park Chapel, Buena Park, CA.

Cheryl Ann Gould, 70, Woodstock, died Monday, Nov. 27, 2017, surrounded by family and friends. She was born June 7, 1946, to Jack and Ernestine Holloway. Working alongside her husband Dan for nearly a half century at Lloyd’s Paint ‘N Paper, she could be found mixing a can of paint or balancing the accounts for the business. Retiring on the same day, she and Dan threw themselves into the care and enjoyment of their home, a barn they restored themselves. Hickory Hill was a dream made true for them and the culmination of long hours spent planning and doing their share of the labor of restoration. Quilting was a lifelong passion, and over the years, she created numerous family heirlooms

Bruce Ackerman, 59, Woodstock, died Thursday, Nov. 23, 2017, in Woodstock. He was born Nov. 14, 1958, to William and Patricia (Johnson) Ackerman in Elmhurst. On Oct. 19, 1980, he married Laurel Seidensticker. He was a great innovator and excellent handyman who could fix at most anything. He prided himself on his woodworking, creating beautiful custom furniture. His son has taken on many traits of his father which he will cherish forever. He enjoyed traveling with his wife to Florida, boating and camping. He truly loved and cared for his dogs. He will be missed by family and friends. Survivors include his wife; a son, Charles; two sisters, Linda Ackerman and Jennifer (Barry) Drap; and sisters-in-law, Carole (Seidensticker) Templin and

Karen L. Scimeca, 58, Woodstock, died Sunday, Nov. 19, 2017, at her home in Woodstock surrounded by her loving family. She was born Jan. 14, 1959, to Robert James and Mary Ann (Burgess) Schumer. On March 5, 1988, she married Timothy Scimeca. They spent 29 happy years together and had two children. For many years she worked as a clerk in the McHenry County Circuit Court Office, Woodstock. On a typical day you either could find her watching a classic movie or with her nose in a book. She had a passion for horses, whether she was out horseback riding or just watching the horses at Arlington Racetrack. She also loved spending time at Lake Michigan where she made many

James E. Keefe, 85, Woodstock, died Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017. He was born Jan. 13, 1932, to James H. Keefe and Florence M. (Cooney) Keefe in Chicago. They moved to Woodstock in 1938. He attended St. Mary School in Woodstock through ninth grade, followed by St. Mary’s Seminary School, Crystal Lake, where he had planned to become a priest. He attended college at St. Ambrose University, Davenport, Iowa. During his sophomore year of college, he was drafted, serving stateside in the U.S. Army as a military policeman during the Korean War. He returned to college after being discharged to graduate from St. Ambrose in 1957. Two weeks following his college graduation he married Mary Ellen Burmeister at St. Mary Catholic