Karen Lee (Benscoter) Kinney (81), passed away peacefully on July 11, 2024, after a heartbreaking struggle with Primary Progressive Aphasia.  A beloved wife, mother, Nana, friend, and “library lady,” Karen was a cherished member of her family and the Harvard community.   She was born on December 11, 1942, in Kankakee Illinois to Francis Avery and Anna May Benscoter.  As an only child, Karen cherished her friends who affectionately called her “Benny.”  She developed a love for music including voice and piano, and performed as a part of the Division of Fine Arts at Olivet Nazarene College as a child and young adult.  As a student, she believed in the importance of actively participating in her school community.  She was a member of

Roderick (Rod) Neil Tinkler, born September 26, 1934, in Redcar, Yorkshire, England, passed away peacefully at home after a brief illness on October 24, 2024, soon after his ninetieth birthday. He was surrounded by family, including his wife of 62 years, Joan Cockcroft Tinkler, who was holding his hand. Rod’s life was marked by an adventurous spirit and entrepreneurial drive. Before attending St. John’s College, Oxford University, Rod completed his military service (which was compulsory in Britain at the time) which included a tour of service in Egypt. In January 1961, drawn by a job opportunity at French’s, he moved to Rochester, NY, where he met his future wife, Joan. Their marriage, on May 19, 1962, marked the beginning of

Katherine A. “Kate” Brown, 46, of Woodstock passed away on Monday, November 25, 2024 at Northwestern Medical in McHenry. She was born November 14, 1978 in Woodstock, the daughter of Edward and Sally (Donahue) Schaefer. She married Loren Brown in Woodstock. Kate was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Woodstock. She graduated from St. Mary Grade School, Marian Central High School, and Worsham College of Mortuary Science. She was employed as a Deputy Coroner with the McHenry County Coroner’s Office for many years until she joined the staff of Schneider Leucht Merwin Cooney Funeral Home in Woodstock in 2017. She was a talented Funeral Director who will be sadly missed. She is survived by her husband, Loren Brown;

Greggory P. Rokus, 53, of Woodstock, passed away on November 24, 2024 in Woodstock. He was born May 13, 1971 in Woodstock to Hans and Kathleen (Provasi) Rokus.  He married Sue Koscielniak in 1999 in Crystal Lake.  Greg was a 1989 graduate of Marian Central High School, and graduated from Loras College in 1993.  He had been an Advertising Account Manager for the Northwest Herald for many years.  His favorite job was working at Crystal Woods Golf Course in Woodstock.  He had been employed there for 40 years.  He was a very active member of the Woodstock Knights of Columbus at St. Mary Church in Woodstock.  He served on many committees, organized the blood drives, and over the years he served as Recorder, Deputy Grand Knight,

Denver L. Walker, 93, of Woodstock, passed away November 13, 2024 at his home surrounded by his loving family. Denver was born on January 23, 1931, the son of William K. and Stella (McCrosky) Walker. He married Audrey Willis on June 17, 1956 in Galva, Ohio. A lifelong Bible student, he lived those lessons in his final years, sharing love and joy with everyone he came in contact with. He also enjoyed puzzles, reading, and watching wildlife; most of all he loved spending time with his family. He is survived by his wife, Audrey Walker; children, Jeffrey Walker, and Stephen (Cindy) Walker; grandchildren, Jayme Reeves, Brittany (Cliff) Pawlak, Chris Walker, Tim Walker; great-grandchildren, Nolan, Walker, Reese, Morgan, Janaya and Logan.

Amy Michele Roeder, 47, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, October 27, 2024, in Woodstock, Illinois. Amy was born on December 27, 1976, in Woodstock, Illinois, to Michael and Kim (Mallory) Pollnow. After graduating from Marengo High School in 1995, Amy earned a degree from Parkland College in 1998 to pursue a career in Dental Hygiene. From there, she practiced for 12 years at Marengo Family Dental in her hometown where she provided the best gift to her patients: a fresh, shiny smile. On September 7, 2002, in Huntley, Illinois, Amy married the love of her life, Paul Roeder, and they went on to have three precious children, Jacob (18), Brandon (16), and Autumn (11). Amy loved nothing more than traveling

In Loving Memory of Nick L Ledanski Nicholas “Nick” Ledanski passed away on November 4, 2024 at the age of 78, in his residing home of Woodstock, Illinois. His battle with serious medical issues in recent years showed his courage in facing life challenges with a smile and hope. Despite the pain, Nick came out a warrior and stayed strong until the end. Nick was born and raised in Kenosha, Wisconsin, with his two sisters and one brother. He went on to join the Army and proudly served in Vietnam. After Vietnam, Nick was determined to build and enjoy his life. He thrived in his career which took him around the world. While in Germany, at one special moment, he met

Genevieve Enid Crossman, age 89, of Woodstock, passed away at Northwestern Medicine Huntley Hospital on November 1, 2024, after a short hospital stay, suffering cardiac arrest and complications from diabetes. She was born to Wilmer H. and Louise Reichardt on December 12, 1934, and was raised in Woodstock in a farming family, the youngest of five (5) children. She graduated from Woodstock High School, married, and raised three (3) daughters. During those years she worked at The Casto lite Company in Woodstock, as an aide at Woodstock High School while her daughters attended there, and at Guardian Electric for many years before retiring. For the past 10 years she enjoyed volunteering at The Sparrow’s Nest Thrift Shop in Woodstock, meeting

Kenneth Allen Sporleder, passed away on August 18, 2024, one day before his 86th birthday, in Sebring, Florida. Ken was born at home on Aug.19,1938 in McHenry, Illinois to the late Walter and Evelyn (Dalhke) Sporleder. He moved with his family to Woodstock, Illinois in 1943. Ken was drafted into the United States Army in October of 1959 and proudly served stateside until February of 1962. Upon returning to Woodstock, he had a long career in the grocery business starting with Piggly Wiggly, later called Eagle Foods, which was just a couple doors away from the family home. It was at that store where he met the love of his life, Dolores (Holy) Conway whom he married on May 9,1977.

Becky Kent Medins, a long-time executive with several Chicago-based insurance brokers, died on October 29, 2024 after a decade-long battle with cancer. She was just shy of her 73rd birthday. Born Becky Sue Kent, to Carl and Virginia Kent, she grew up in Des Moines, Iowa, went to Guilford High School in Rockford, Illinois, graduated from the University of South Dakota (where she was President of Kappa Alpha Theta) and earned an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. In 1987 she married Peter Medins, and they moved to Woodstock, IL where they had a home until her death. She was active in community organizations, including the Woodstock Fine Arts Association, for which she volunteered 10 years