Roger Laurin “One Putt” Stoddard

Roger Laurin “One Putt” Stoddard, 71, died May 16, 2018, a month after having a stroke.

Roger was born March 15, 1947, to Laurin and Elsie Stoddard. He grew up in Woodstock, where he loved to wrestle, play basketball, and work. After graduating high school, Roger joined the Army and was stationed in Kansas and then Germany, which allowed him to travel much of Western Europe.

After returning home from the service, Roger met Jenny Brodie Stoddard, his future wife and business partner of 39 years. They had three children, Emily (Kevin) Nicolin, Elizabeth (Geoff) Stocks, and Samuel (Ashlie) Stoddard; six grandchildren, and one on the way, Gaige and Genevieve Stocks, Rylan and Keegan Nicolin, Calyn and Piper Simonson, and Baby Stoddard, due June 19.

With his father’s influence and his love of fresh food, Roger built three businesses: Little Pizza Heaven and Noodles Italian Grill in Woodstock, and Woodbine Bend Golf Course and Restaurant in Woodbine. Roger was a generous person who loved music, dancing, joke- telling, fast-car driving, and philanthropy. Roger was a golf fanatic.

Other survivors include his mother, Elsie Mae Stoddard, of Crystal Lake; three siblings, Gene (Pegg) Stoddard, Dale (Chona) Stoddard, and Lisa (Alex) Petralia; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his father, Laurin, and a sister, Carol Ann Hillmann.

Memorials may be made to a local food pantry, such as Roger’s favorite, FACC,  514 S. Chicago Ave., Freeport, IL 61032.

A public visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday May 27, at Woodbine Bend, 3500 E. Center Road, Stockton, followed by a private family gathering