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Obituaries

Michael Adler

Michael Adler, 77, Woodstock, died March 6, 2017, at his home in Woodstock. He was born Feb. 26, 1940, to Richard and Sylvia (Brickman) Adler in Chicago. Mike had many interests and joys in his life. He was an artist, inventor, writer, designer, architect, astronomer and philosopher. He was a passionate golfer, but much to his disappointment never sank a hole in one. He was a loving father to his two sons Jay and Reed Adler, and is also survived by his adopted sister, Valerie, and by many other close family members. He was preceded in death by his parents and his beloved dog, Zerox. A gathering of friends and family will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday, March 15,

John William Hoeflich

John William Hoeflich, 86, East Dundee, formerly of Mountain Home, Ark., Woodstock and Chicago died March 4, 2017. He was well-loved and a contributor to the lives of many. He was the devoted husband of the late Perrue and the late Donna; loving companion and sweetheart of Janet Zaballa; faithful father of Jeanette (John) Sheehan, John (Sue), Jim (Chris), Jeff (Chris), Jack (Cathy) and Joe (Debby) Hoeflich; treasured grandfather of 13; great-grandfather of three; beloved brother of Joan (late Walter) Masnyk, Barbara (late Joseph) Bopp, Carol (Robert) Danaher, Peter (Phuong) Hoeflich and Bill (late Jody) Hoeflich. He was preceded in death by his parents John and Mary Hoeflich; siblings Louis Hoeflich, Marilyn (late James) Kozak, Theresa (late Bob) Bryant, Richard

Luke Andrew Johnsos

Luke Andrew Johnsos, 75, Woodstock, died March 5 after a long battle with cancer. He was born May 10, 1941, in Evanston. He cherished his family, his faith and his community, devoting his life to serving others. He held positions on the Deerfield School Board, many Woodstock School District 200 referendum committees, the McHenry County Restaurant Association, the Illinois Restaurant Association and the Rural Woodstock Public Library Board. He was president of the District 200 Backers Club for two years. His decades of commitment to local healthcare included time on the Memorial Hospital Foundation Board, of which he was president in 1995. He also sat on the Board of Governors of Centegra Health System for more than 20 years and

Lillian R. Hervert

Lillian R. Hervert, 95, Bull Valley, died March 4, 2017. She was born June 23, 1921, to Rose (Masek) and Frank Rezabek in Chicago. Her childhood was rich in Czech heritage. She graduated from Riverside Brookfield High School and was voted most artistic by her class. She married George Hervert, Nov. 23, 1946, in Dr. Preston Bradley’s study in The Peoples Church of Chicago. She was preceded in death by her husband and sister Esther (George) Cleland. Her talent in drawing, painting and sculpture served her throughout her life. She was a lifelong learner, avid reader, Master Gardener, enjoyed horseback riding; and created a natural landscape at her home. She served on the village of Bull Valley Planning Commission and

Patricia E. Eddy

Patricia E. Eddy, 82, died Friday, March 3, 2017, at Centegra Hospital-Woodstock, surrounded by her loving family. She was born Dec. 29, 1934, to Arthur and Florence (Alberts) Ehlers in Neillsville, Wis. On Jan. 1, 1955, she married LeRoy Eddy at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Woodstock. Patricia was a farm wife for 62 years. She enjoyed spending time outdoors, gardening and tending to flowers. She also enjoyed reading the newspaper, especially the funny pages. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and sister who will be missed by all who knew her. Survivors include her husband, LeRoy Eddy; a son, Larry Eddy; a daughter, Linda Eddy; four grandchildren, Raymond (Jennifer) Eddy, Christopher (Amber) Eddy, Jorie Karafa and Jessie Karafa;

Leonard W. Biedermann

Leonard W. Biedermann, 91, Woodstock, died peacefully at dawn, Friday, March 3, 2017. He was born March 24, 1925, to Walter and Louise (Schmitt) Biedermann. Leonard grew up in the family business, Biedermann Brothers Coffee, in Chicago. He attended Tilden High School before joining the U.S. Coast Guard, where he proudly served as a signalman on Landing Craft Infantry 322 in the South Pacific during World War II.  After returning from the war, he met his wife of 69 years, Helen Bigelow. They married in 1948 in Lombard, where they lived until moving to Woodstock in 1961. Leonard earned a degree in English and journalism from Northwestern University.  He spent most of his career in publishing and was a creative

Lorraine Liboria Robinson

Lorraine Liboria Robinson, 90, died Wednesday, March 1, 2017, at JourneyCare Hospice Inpatient Care Unit, Woodstock, surrounded by her loving family. She was born July 22, 1926, to Frank and Liboria (Scimeca) Stipati. Lorraine worked for Columbus Hospital as a file clerk in the medical records department. She enjoyed dancing, going to Cubs games, doing puzzles and watching her favorite TV programs. She was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. She will be missed by all who knew her. Survivors include two daughters, Georganne (Jesse) Rojo and Evelyn (Dale) Matlock; her  grandchildren, Thomas Cox and Nicole (Brandon) Nugent; her great-grandchildren, Mariah Beyer and Sophie Matlock; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by

Gary Fink

Gary Fink, 71, Popular Grove, died Friday, Feb. 24. He was born May 25, 1945, to Richard and Mary Lou (Harper) Fink in Elgin.   Gary graduated from Barrington High School in 1963 and Carthage College in 1967. He played football as an offensive guard and long snapper, setting records and winning numerous awards. He won the coveted Players Player Award presented by the late sports announcer Jack Brickhouse. He also played baseball and basketball. At Carthage, he belonged to Tau Sigma Chi fraternity.  Gary taught physical education in Forest Park. He was elected commissioner and later became president of the park board. He belonged to the service group Kiwanis. After teaching, he was a manufacturer’s representative and a real estate broker. 

Karlen Cooney

Karlen Cooney, 99, Woodstock, died Monday, Feb. 27, 2017, at her home. She was born June 30, 1917, to James M. and Olive (Shockey) Hecht, in Woodstock.  On Sept. 21, 1946, she married James H. Cooney . Karlen lived her entire life on Lincoln Avenue in Woodstock, first at 393 with her parents and then at 355 after her marriage to Jim, who also was raised on Lincoln. She attended Northwestern University, and worked for more than 40 years for the McHenry County Circuit Clerk and McHenry County Clerk. She took great pride in her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and supported not only their activities and pursuits but also the campaigns of her husband, who served as Woodstock mayor and

Rena A. Canto

Rena A. Canto, 74, Woodstock, died Friday, Feb. 17, 2017, at Valley Hi Nursing Home surrounded by her loving family. She was born Aug. 20, 1942, to William and Doris (O’Connor) Lambert in Mount Clemens, Mich. She worked as a CNA for Valley Hi Nursing Home and the Woodstock Residence Nursing Home for many years. She was a loving, caring and passionate person with a great sense of humor, and she will be greatly missed. Survivors include her children, Douglas Howard Benedict, Ronald Harrison Benedict, Tracy Anne Benedict, Benjamin (Digna) Canto Jr., Eduardo (Josephine) Canto, Reynaldo (Elisa) Canto, Rufino Canto, Rose Belinda Canto and Lucita Canto; many  grandchildren and great-grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Jennie Lambert and Amy Smith; and an uncle,

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Larry Lough

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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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