Wayne R. Thiede, 63, Marengo, died Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2017, after a battle with cancer, with his loving family by his side. He was born Jan. 11, 1953, in Melrose Park to Clarence and Bonita Thiede. He was married to his true companion and loving wife, Marge Thiede, for 45 wonderful years. Wayne worked for Meyer/Aggregate for many years. He was a hard worker with a strong ethic for doing things the right way. He loved classic cars “only Chevys”, good music and quality time with family and friends. He will always be remembered for his great sense of humor and his joy of life. He is survived by his wife, Marge Thiede; his son Shawn (Sarah) Thiede; and his

Rodney D. Aavang, 89, Greenwood, died peacefully Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2017, at home surrounded by his loving family.He was a lifelong resident of Greenwood Township, born on the family farm Aug. 26, 1927, the son of Almer and Lilly (Schroeder) Aavang.  He graduated from Woodstock High School in 1945.  He married Libbie Barber Oct. 21, 1950, at the Greenwood Methodist Church.  For more than 66 years they made their life together, farming and raising their family. He was a longtime member of McHenry County Farm Bureau, McHenry County Fair Association and Woodstock Progressive Milk Association. He is survived by his wife, Libbie Aavang; children, Dan (the late Cathy) Aavang, Fort Wayne, Ind., Sarah (Robert Lukes) Aavang, Gary (Michele) Aavang, John, JoAnn (David) Lohse;

Janet Elaine (Higgins) Obenchain, 82, Woodstock, died Monday, Jan. 2, 2017, with the love of her family all around her.  Elaine was born March 22, 1934, and grew up in Grand Rapids and East Grand Rapids, Mich., and Evanston, where she graduated from Evanston Township High School. She spent two years at DePauw University, where she was a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority, from the University of Minnesota. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in psychology in 1955. After college she moved back to Evanston and worked as a claims adjuster in Chicago. She met her husband, Ralph, on the Chicago & Northwestern commuter train. Their story about the train playing Cupid was written up in the Chicago Tribune.

Lenita ‘Lee’ Muto Lenita “Lee” Muto, 74, Woodstock, died on her birthday, Oct. 26, 2016, at her home. She was born to Leonard and Rita (Collins) Stivers in Niagra Falls. She spent a lifetime in the antique business and 19 years ago she moved to Woodstock to build her dream home and business, The Colonial Antique Mall.  Her real love was refinishing and restoring antiques to their original glory. Her passion for the look and feel of real wood, especially oak, has created antiques that live in thousands of people’s homes. She has been a member of the Woodstock Moose Lodge, which supports and provides education to underprivileged children. She loved going with other members and friends to the Moose’s Friday night fish fry as often as

Agnes M. Hess, 85, Woodstock, died Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2016, at Hearthstone Manor in Woodstock.  She was born July 25, 1931, to Martin and Cordella (Wagner) Obenauf.  On Oct. 24, 1953, she married Robert E. Hess in Huntley.  She was a dedicated woman of Christian faith. She was a longtime member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Woodstock, where she was very active in Bible study groups and the prayer group.  She also attended the Woodstock Assembly of God Church. She was a dedicated mother to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She most enjoyed spending time with the grandkids and great-grandkids and sharing her famous homemade chocolate chip cookies with them.   Survivors include 12 children, Pat (Terry) Menzel, Jean

Nuala P. Gorski, age 50 of Woodstock, passed away Saturday, August 27, 2016 at the University of Chicago Hospital surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Chicago on June 7, 1966 to Thomas and Margaret (Haddock) McCartin.  She married Daniel Gorski on May 17, 1991 at St. Thecla Catholic Church in Chicago. Nuala was a caring and fun loving person with a smile that could light up a room.  She was always a joy to spend time with regardless the occasion.  She was full of personality with a strong desire to help others.  Her kindness and compassion was always a comfort to the ones closest to her.  She loved Elvis Presley for his artistic persona with a nostalgic

Judy Ann Shouse, 66, Wonder Lake, died, Thursday, Aug. 25, 2016, at Alden Terrace Nursing Home, McHenry. She was born Sept. 20, 1949, to Henry M. and Loretta A. (Fisher) Wurtzinger in Woodstock.  On April 8, 1967, she married Michael E. Shouse in Woodstock. She enjoyed books and was an avid reader, swapping the latest novel with her family and friends. She loved her dogs, Pixie and Storm. But, most of all, she loved time with her family and watching the children play and grow. Survivors include two sons, Michael E. Shouse Jr. and Thomas Shouse; a sister, Carol (Chuck) Kopsell; a brother-in-law, Lee Fringer; a sister-in law, April Shouse; many nieces and nephews, including Connie Schoenber, Don Kopsell, Karie

Edna Spitzbart, 85, Woodstock, died Thursday, Aug. 25, 2016, at Hearthstone Manor Nursing Home, Woodstock. She was born May 23, 1931, to Edward W. and Mary A. (Hansen) Pankonin in Prairie View.  On Sept. 30, 1950, she married Gustav J. Spitzbart in Hebron. She was a faithful member of St. John’s Lutheran Church. She and her husband farmed in Greenwood, and she ran the 300-chicken egg-laying business. She was considered the best cook ever by her family. She enjoyed crocheting and embroidery. Mostly she loved being with her family. She was loved and will be missed. Suvivors include a son, David Spitzbart; a daughter, Barbara (Craig) Zivic; five grandchildren, Bradley Spitzbart, Ellen (Zach Conrad) Spitzbart, Christopher (Mindy Saunders) Zivic, Brian

Philip R. Carlisle, 68, of Woodstock, died Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2016, at the University of Wisconsin Hospital in Madison after a courageous fight with leukemia. He was born June 25, 1948, to James R. and Greta B. (Hutson) Carlisle in Woodstock. On July 24, 1965, he married Carol A. Mass, his high school sweetheart. He was a graduate of St. Mary School and attended Marian Central High School. He was a lifelong member of St. Mary Catholic Church, Woodstock. He owned Carlisle Construction Inc. and built many beautiful homes. He was proud to have poured the foundation for the Woodstock bandstand.  He enjoyed music and was a member of the band P.M. Express. He also enjoyed  fishing, boating and flying.

David Allen Steffen, 74, Woodstock, died Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2016. He was born Nov. 11, 1942, to Walter and Bertha (Wienke) Steffen. On Feb. 28, 1970, he married Connie Pedersen. He was a 1960 graduate of Woodstock High School. He graduated from Coyne Electrical School in Chicago. He worked at Admiral Corp. in Harvard for four years. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1965. He served two years in the Navy Reserves and was discharged in 1971. He worked for Illinois Bell Telephone Co. from 1969 to 1994. He was an avid airplane and truck modeler. After retirement, he built working cement model lighthouses. He held an extra-class amateur radio license with the call letters AK9X. He was an avid