Edward William Schaefer, 65, Harvard, died Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2017, at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born Nov. 7, 1951, to Robert and Marilyn (Taken) Schaefer, in Chicago.   On Sept. 24, 1976, he married Sarah Donahue at St. Mary Church, Woodstock. When Edward was 16 years old, he moved to Harvard with his family to build Plum Tree Golf Course with his father. He was a member of International Operating Engineers Local 150 for 49 years. He enjoyed building homes, trips to Mexico and Fort Myers Fla., with friends and family, boat rides on Lake Geneva and family road trips to Gulf Shores for many years. He was very adventurous, and loved finding new places

Eleanor T. Sowa, 93, formerly of Decatur, Mich., died Tuesday, Feb. 17, in Woodstock. Survivors include a son, Steven, Woodstock; two grandchildren, Jeni (Mark) Van Thomme and Patricia Lynn Sowa; a sister-in-law, Jean; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Andrew; a son, James; a sister, Anna; and three brothers, Walter, Stanley and John. The funeral was held at Holy Family Church, Decatur. Memorials can be made in her name to Holy Family Catholic Church, 500 W. St. Mary St., Decatur, MI 49045; or VFW Auxiliary, 560 N. Phelps St., Decatur, MI 49045. Arrangements were made by Starks Family Funeral Homes.

Marilyn Nell, 87, Woodstock, died Sunday, Feb. 12, 2017, at Crystal Pines Nursing Home, Crystal Lake.  She was born March 9, 1929, to Alfred and Lynette (Hewitt) Hopp in Belvidere.  On Aug. 2, 1947, she married Robert Nell. She worked in the kitchen at Sunset Manor Nursing Home (now Hearthstone Manor), Woodstock. She was an active and faithful member of First United Methodist Church, Woodstock. At the church she was president of United Methodist Women’s Club, the Quilters Club and a book club. She loved baking and doing crafts. She was loved and will be missed. Survivors include three daughters, Doris Barry, Rose Nellessen and Ruth (Thomas) Wright; 11 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and a half sister, Sandy Masters-Gibson.

Charles E. Howell, 88, Woodstock, died Monday, Feb. 13, 2017, at Hearthstone Manor, Woodstock. He was born Nov. 9, 1928, to Jake and Hazel Howell, in Woodstock. He was raised by his aunt and uncle, Lena and William Gancar.  On Sept. 12, 1953, he married Julia A. Carroll at St. Patrick Church in Hartland. He was a veteran, joining the Navy along with his brother Cliff right after high school.  He went to on work for AT&T, retiring after 35 years of service.  He was an avid golfer and bowled on many leagues. He was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church, a life member of the Woodstock Moose, and a life member of the Woodstock Knights of Columbus Council

Wilna O. Davis, 82 Woodstock, died Thursday, Feb. 16, 2017, at JourneyCare Hospice, Woodstock, surrounded by her loving family. She was born Oct. 9, 1934, to Wilbert and Faye (Gates) Ohlrich in Woodstock.  On June 25, 1953, she married Charles B. Davis at Grace Lutheran Church in Woodstock. She attended Woodstock High School and Iowa State University  One of her greatest accomplishments was getting her private pilot’s license.  She was a devoted daughter, wife, mother, Nana, great-grandmother and friend. She loved traveling the world, good food, sewing, bowling, shopping, reading and being with family and friends. Regardless of the occasion she was always fashionably dressed and brightened up the room with her smile and sense of humor. She was intelligent, kind,

Darlene M. Sarbaugh, 81, Woodstock, died Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017, at her home surrounded by her family.  She was born March 3, 1935, to Ralph and Dorothy (Goetz) Zimmerman in Belvidere.  On Nov. 13, 1954, she married Vernon L. Sarbaugh.  She will be remembered as a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She enjoyed her church, playing cards, needlework, camping, traveling and spending time with family and friends.  Survivors include her husband; five children, Jane Sarbaugh, Ralph Sarbaugh, Sherri (Basil) Bakakos, Penny (Edward) Flynn and Peggy (Randy) Sarbaugh-McNally; six grandchildren, Jenny and Nick (Jennifer) Bakakos, J.J. (Alex) Kliman and Carly Flynn, Jackie and Lucas Shipley; four great-grandchildren, Hailie, Nolan, Madison and Wyatt; a sister, Shirley (Charles) Berlin; a brother, Kenneth

Regina Ann Stewart, 88, Woodstock, died Saturday, Feb. 4, 2017, at Valley Hi Nursing Home, Woodstock, surrounded by her family and loved ones. She was born Sept. 24, 1928, to Gerald and Anna Slattery in Chicago.  On April 27, 1956, she married Thomas Stewart in Chicago. She worked at Illinois Bell Telephone for more than 30 years until her retirement in 1982. She continued working at Stewart’s Cleaners in Woodstock with her husband, Tom. She was an avid reader and talented at crocheting, but she was best known for her quick wit.  She enjoyed camping trips, the beach, shopping and a good bingo game. Most importantly, she loved spending time with her family. She and her husband spent many years of retirement in

Lisa B. Stahlecker Kubiak, 56, Belding, Mich., formerly of Woodstock, died Monday, Feb. 6, 2017, at home under the loving care of her family and Hospice.  She was born Sept. 25, 1960, to Helmuth and Vera (Plesko) Stahlecker in Woodstock.  On Aug. 14, 1982, she married Paul R. Kubiak in Woodstock. She graduated from Woodstock High School with the Class of 1978 and later graduated from Grand Valley State University with a degree in art therapy. She put her career aside to stay home with her children during their formative years, and when they were in high school Lisa began a successful career as an artist. She had a lifelong love of art, whether it was in pottery, glass or

Lorelee L. Pietrzak, 48, Woodstock, died Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2017, at her home surrounded by her loving family. She was born June 22, 1968, to Melvin C. and Lillian (Mika) Gehrke Sr. in Woodstock.  On Sept. 4, 1994, she married Christopher Pietrzak at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, Crystal Lake.  She worked as an estimator and project manager at MG Mechanical, Woodstock. She was active in the HVAC and contracting industries since she was in high school. She was a member of the Women’s Society of Mechanical Engineers as well as the ASHRAE Society. She enjoyed decorating and interior design as well as cooking meals for her family and friends. She was a loving wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt

Keith E. Ehrke Sr., 73, Woodstock, died Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2017, at his daughter’s home in Genoa City, Wis., with his loved ones by his side after a courageous battle with cancer.  He was born Jan 12, 1944, to Norman (Butch) and Arlene Ehrke in Woodstock.  On Sept 25, 1971, he married Judy Kulisek. She preceded him in death in 2011. He grew up in Woodstock and graduated from Woodstock High School in 1962. In the ‘70s he worked for the Woodstock Sentinel, then owned KEE’s Auto Detailers for several years, and finally worked for Warner Offset until his retirement. He delivered the Chicago Tribune and the Chicago Sun-Times earlier in his life and the Northwest Herald after his retirement,