Huge Marriages Search Engine!
1/24/2006 Albert P. Blasius
Albert P. Blasius, 82, Woodstock died Sunday, Jan. 8, 2006, at his home. He was born April 9, 1923, in Plain, Wis., to Bernard and Mary (Mick) Blasius. He married Imelda V. "Mutzie" Lisk May 26, 1945, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Round Lake. Formerly of Plain and Genoa City, Wis., he was a resident of McHenry since 1958. He and his wife had recently moved to Woodstock. He was a farmer and was also employed as a milkman. He worked at Richco Inc. in Richmond as a machine operator for injection molding equipment for a time and also at Morton International as a janitor and security guard, retiring in 1992. He later worked at the McHenry Wal-Mart as a greeter for more than five years until 2004, when health concerns caused him to leave. He was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in McHenry and had also formerly attended St. Peter Catholic Church in Spring Grove. He enjoyed gardening and yard work, and he was an avid Cubs fan. Survivors include his wife, Woodstock; two children, Mary Anne Levesque, Woodstock, and David Blasius, Indianapolis; two grandchildren, David (Kat) Levesque, Machesney Park, and Brandon Levesque, Woodstock; two great-grandchildren, Owen Riley and Noah Isaac; a brother, Lawrence (Donna) Blasius, Crandon, Wis.; and a sister-in-law, Lucille Blasius, Grayslake. He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant son, Daniel Joseph Blasius; his sister, Loretta Leffelman; and four brothers, Herbert, Leonard, Louis and William Blasius. Visitation was Jan. 11 at the George R. Justen & Son Funeral Home, McHenry. The funeral Mass was celebrated Jan. 11 at St. Mary Catholic Church, McHenry. Interment was in St. Mary Cemetery, McHenry. Memorials can be made to Hospice of Northeastern Illinois, 410 S. Hager Ave., Barrington, IL 60010; or to the American Cancer Society, c/o Janet Smith, memorials chairperson, 200 S. Green St., McHenry, IL 60050.
1/24/2006 John K. Cottingham
John K. Cottingham, 74, Venice, Fla., and Coon Rapids, Minn., died Thursday, Jan. 19, 2006. He will be remembered as a public servant and student of government. His professional career was a lifetime of service to local governments, including more than 20 years as a city manager in five cities. He was manager of Woodstock from 1965 to 1969. He served as president of two Rotary clubs and president of the MN City Management Association. He was very active in his churches. He was a registered professional engineer and an Eagle Scout. After retiring in 1994, he and his wife enjoyed traveling extensively, both overseas and with their travel trailer. He enjoyed the outdoors and especially enjoyed the family cabin near Kenora, Ontario. Survivors include his wife, Ann (Frisbie) and they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in June 2004; four children and nine grandchildren, Kimm (Mark) Schneider and Maria, Minneapolis, Stephen (Marsha Morris) and Kyle and Cody, Moran, Minn., Alan (Jane Budrow) and Andrew, Rachal and Kerri, North Branch, Minn., and Gregory (Lynn Ottensmann) and Barron, Candace and Colin, Grand Rapids, Minn.; and a sister-in-law, Devona Frisbie Edinger, Woodstock. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 28, at Coon Rapids United Methodist Church, Coon Rapids, Minn. Memorials can be made to Coon Rapids United Methodist Church.
1/24/2006 Claire Rose Hellstern
Claire Rose Hellstern, Chicago, died Saturday, Jan. 21, 2006, surrounded by her family after a short battle with pancreatic cancer. She was an outspoken woman who was deeply committed to her family and community. As a registered nurse, she worked in several Chicago inner-city clinics and most recently at Advocate Health Care Clinic. She graduated from Marian Central Catholic High School, Woodstock; and St. Mary's School of Nursing, Rochester, Minn.; and she received a bachelor of arts degree in nursing from Northeastern University. She was a female pioneer in sports journalism, covering professional sports in the Chicago area. Her interest in sports lead her into supporting and advocating for the Negro Baseball League for the last 15 years. Her role as pro-bono agent for Ted "Double Duty" Radcliffe was instrumental in the long-overdue recognition of outstanding players of the NBL. She had been featured in a number of books by Studs Terkel and Mike LaVelle as an example of a fearless individual devoted to helping the poor and oppressed in the community. Survivors include her mother, Rose Mary; her sister, Mary Jo (Charles) Stelzner; two brothers, Don (Paula) and Bob (Lois) Hellstern; and nieces and nephews, Elizabeth, David, Christina, Angela, Jacqueline, Josephine and Robert. She was preceded in death by her father, Francis. Visitation will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 26, at St. Mary Catholic Church, Woodstock. Mass of the Resurrection will follow at 1 p.m., with the Rev. Nicholas Federspiel officiating. Interment will be in St. Mary Cemetery, Galena, at 11 a.m., Friday, Jan. 27. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to a charity of the donor's choice.
1/24/2006 Jeffrey Howard Biel
Jeffrey Howard Biel, 56, Alachua, Fla., died Sunday, Dec. 25, 2005, at his home of natural causes. He was born in Woodstock and moved to Alachua in the late 1980s. He was a title examiner. He was a musician and a founding member of the J.W. Rice Band in Illinois. He enjoyed gardening, fishing, nature and gourmet cooking. Survivors include his wife of six years, Susan Biel, Alachua; his mother, Claire Biel, Alachua; a son, Capt. Jason Biel, Wahiawa, Hawaii; a brother, Jonathan Biel, Salida, Colo.; two sisters, Carrie Lacy, Palatine, and Jennifer Sommars, Loveland, Colo.; and three grandchildren. Arrangements were made by Evans-Carter Funeral Home, High Springs, Fla.
1/24/2006 Marika 'Mary' Schachelmayer
Marika "Mary" Schachelmayer, 63, Wonder Lake, died Monday, Jan. 9, 2006, surrounded by family and friends after a courageous battle with cancer. She was born Oct. 25, 1942, in Hungary, to Frank and Marika (Strahl) Giesinger. She married Joe "Schatzie" Schachelmayer in 1963 at Our Lady of Mercy Church, Chicago. She immigrated to Chicago in 1952. She was a graduate of Roosevelt High School and was a longtime resident of the north side of Chicago. She raised a family while working in various levels of banking. Since 1987, she made a wonderful home outside of Wonder Lake, always adorned, inside and out, with flowers. Survivors include her husband; her daughter, Marika (Bill) Mayer; her son, Joey (Tania) Schachelmayer; four grandchildren, Nicholas, Jacob, Joey Jr. and Katarina; and an extended loving family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Frank. Visitation, followed by the funeral, was Jan. 13 at Colonial Funeral Home, McHenry, with the Rev. Roger Schneider officiating. Burial was private. Memorials can be made to The National Alliance for Autism Research, 501 N. Wells St., Suite EC, Chicago, IL 60610, or to www.NAAR.org, Chicago Chapter of Team "Jumping Joeys."
1/24/2006 Mary Harriett Buckley
Mary Harriett Buckley, 83, Poplar Grove, died Sunday, Jan. 8, 2006, in her home surrounded by her family following a brief illness. She was born April 18, 1922, in Woodstock, to James and Hazel McGee Bennett. She married Patrick Buckley July 1, 1946, in Woodstock. She graduated from St. Mary's High School, Woodstock, and attended Clark College, Iowa. She and her husband owned and operated Buckley Cleaners, Woodstock, and Orchid Cleaners, Belvidere and Marengo. She was a member of St. James Catholic Church, Belvidere. She was loved deeply by her family. She was a lifelong musician and an avid reader. Survivors include her son, Patrick (Wendy) Buckley, Belvidere; three daughters, Colleen Buckley-Reynolds, San Francisco, Maureen Buckley, Point Roberts, Wash., and Aileen Buckley, Rockford; three grandchildren, Heather Buckley and Alex and Miguel Mancha; and a half-brother, James (Fran) Bennett, Woodstock. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband. Visitation was Jan. 11 at Belvidere Funeral Home. The funeral Mass was held Jan. 12 at St. James Catholic Church, Belvidere. Interment was in Calvary Cemetery, Woodstock. A memorial has been established at Poplar Grove State Bank, Poplar Grove.
2/1/2006 Russell D. Schacht
Russell D. Schacht, 72, Woodstock, died Sunday, Jan. 15, 2006, at Valley Hi Nursing Home, Woodstock. He was born April 17, 1933, in Woodstock, to Lewis and Elizabeth (Moritz) Schacht. He married Karen Bluemel April 18, 1959, in Woodstock. He served in the U.S. Army as a helicopter mechanic. He was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, Union. He was an avid hunter. He was a tool and die maker, retiring from Serv-All in Crystal Lake. He also worked for Woodstock Die Cast for 23 years. Survivors include his wife, Woodstock; two daughters, Diane (William) Colomer, Cuba City, Wis., and Linda (Steve) Goodrich, Woodstock; a granddaughter, Ann Colomer; a great-granddaughter, Olivia Kirkilewski; three step-grandchildren, Sean (Tami) Goodrich, Ryan Goodrich and Kelly (Matt) Kirkilewski; two brothers, Lewis, Marengo, and Carroll (Francis), Texas; and a sister, Elizabeth (Clifford) Mueller, Sycamore. Visitation was Jan. 19 at St. John's Lutheran Church, Union. The funeral was Jan. 20 at the church, with the Rev. Norman Meyer officiating. Memorials can be made to Family Alliance in Woodstock or St. John's Lutheran Church in Union. Arrangements were made Honquest Family Funeral Home, Woodstock.
2/1/2006 Gerald L. Johnson
Gerald L. Johnson, 61, Woodstock and formerly of Kokomo, Ind., died Sunday, Jan. 15, 2006, at Centegra Northern Illinois Medical Center, McHenry, after a long battle with a heart condition. He was born Nov. 6, 1944, in Woodstock, to Artell and Clara (Raether) Johnson. He worked and lived in Kokomo for 35 years. He worked at Delphi Electronics, a division of General Motors. He was a member of the Masons in Kokomo. He served in the Army from 1962 to 1964. Survivors include a son, Rustin Johnson, Kokomo; three brothers, Artell (Helen) Johnson, Mesa, Ariz., Norman Johnson, Woodstock, and Richard (Pat) Johnson, Hebron; two sisters, Donna (Lyle) Bungard, Woodstock, and Ella (Pat) Tindall, Springhill, Fla.; a granddaughter, Prudence Johnson; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Carolyn Englehardt. Visitation, followed by the funeral service, was held Jan. 21 at Schneider-Leucht-Merwin & Cooney Funeral Home, Woodstock. Burial was in McHenry County Memorial Park, Woodstock. Memorials can be made to Grace Lutheran Church, 1300 Kishwaukee Valley Road, Woodstock, IL 60098.
1/24/2006 Lester Kruis
Lester Kruis, 84, Oostburg, Wis., died Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2006, at Leesburg Regional Medical Center, Leesburg, Fla. He was born Nov. 24, 1921, in Sheboygan, Wis., to Henry J. and Anna (Den Boer) Kruis. He married LaVon J. DeZoute Oct. 12, 1945, in Oostburg. She preceded him in death Feb. 14, 2002. He married Ruth Meinen Heinen Nov. 29, 2002, in Gibbsville. Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Mary Bovre, Pewaukee, and Maggie (Wayne) Graff of Fredonia; two sons, David (Kathy) Kruis, Sheboygan, and Ronald (Reenie) Kruis, Woodstock; a daughter-in-law, Linda Kruis, New Berlin; two stepdaughters, Vicki Weinhold, Oostburg, and Rosemary (Dennis) TeBeest, Cedar Grove; one stepson, Anthony (Jean) Heinen, Oostburg; 14 grandchildren; 10 step-grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; one step-great-grandchild; five sisters; three brothers; and sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held from 3 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 24, at Wenig Funeral Home, Oostburg. Visitation will continue from 9 a.m. until the 10 a.m. funeral service, Wednesday, Jan. 25, at First Reformed Church in Cedar Grove with the Rev. Kent Vant Hul officiating. Burial will take place in Cedar Grove Cemetery. A memorial fund will be established in his name for Pine Haven Christian Home and First Reformed Church. Online condolences may be sent to wenig@wenigfuneralhome.com.
1/24/2006 Isabelle Kellner
Isabelle Kellner, 88, McHenry, died Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2006. She was born March 19, 1917, in McHenry, to William and Amanda (Theobald) Freund. A lifelong resident of McHenry, she was employed by Northern Illinois Telephone Company for many years. Survivors include a son, Kirby (Barbara) Kellner, Florida; a daughter, Karen James, McHenry; six grandchildren and four step-grandchildren, Michael (Cheryl) Kellner, Thomas (Lynda) Kellner, Kenneth (Jeannine) Kellner, Deborah Kellner, Michael Schaefer, Kimberly (Michael) Gersch, Julie (Jeff) Smith, Richard (Colleen) Honquest, David (Roberta) Honquest and Timothy Honquest; 18 great-grandchildren; a dear aunt, Angie Freund; and many nieces, nephews and special friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Genevieve Justen and Marguerite Adams; and a step-granddaughter, Maribeth Repp. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 28, at St. Mary's Church, McHenry. Arrangements were made by Honquest Family Funeral Home, Woodstock.
1/24/2006 Frederick Charles 'Rick' Erickson
Frederick Charles "Rick" Erickson Jr., age 52, Woodstock, and formerly of Crystal Lake, died Saturday, Jan. 14, 2006 in Woodstock. He was born Dec. 31, 1953, in Evanston to Frederick Charles Sr. and Leona (Radtke) Erickson. He graduated from Prospect High School in 1972. He received his bachelor's degree from Western Illinois University in 1977. He went on to earn a master of social work degree from Western Michigan University. He was a licensed clinical social worker, and he worked as a psychotherapist in both Atlanta and the Chicago area. His clinical work focused on crisis counseling and family support. He loved books and was an avid reader of professional writing in the fields of social work, counseling and psychotherapy. Survivors include two sisters, Barbara (Robert) Weigand, Tempe, Ariz., and Beverly Bodelson, Duluth, Ga.; six nieces and nephews, Tim (Vicky) Sime, Jennifer (Eric Robinson) Sime, Rebecca (Mark Nagasawa) Sime, Patrick Weigand, Cindi (Scott) Dornellas and Eric Bodelson; and six great-nieces and great-nephews, Liv, Reilly, Gracine, Anni, Carly and Elise. He was preceded in death by his father, Aug. 30, 1996; and his mother, March 20, 2005. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 25, at George R. Justen & Son Funeral Home, McHenry. The funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 26, at the funeral home. Interment will be in Mt. Olive Cemetery Chicago.
2/1/2006 Lester E. 'Bud' Schmarje
Lester E. "Bud" Schmarje, 73, Duluth, Minn., and formerly of Woodstock, died Sunday, Jan. 22, 2006, in Duluth. He was born June 13, 1932. He worked for many years at Northern Illinois Gas Co. He was a member of the Moose Lodge in Woodstock. Survivors include his wife, Bea; five children, Dan Schmarje, Rita Duffy, Lisa Valdez, Laurie Fraly and Lee Scherer; eight grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his sister, Lorraine, in 1988; his mother, Florence, in 1989; and his father, Lester F., in 2005. There have been no services planned.
2/1/2006 Ruby D. Pierce
Ruby D. Pierce, 96, Woodstock, died Thursday, Jan. 26, 2006, at Centegra Memorial Medical Center, Woodstock. She was born April 18, 1909, in Monmouth, to Daniel and Elizabeth (Luetkehans) DeRenzy. She married William Pierce July 7, 1951, in Elgin. She was a teacher from 1939 until she retired in 1969. She taught in Monroe Center, Weaverly, Iowa, and Woodstock. She was a member of the national, state of Illinois and McHenry County Retired Teachers Association. She was a 50-year member of Delta, Kappa, Gamma. She was a member of the McHenry County Historical Society. She volunteered with the hospital auxiliary for many years. Survivors include many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by parents and her husband. Visitation was Jan. 27 at Schneider-Leucht-Merwin & Cooney Funeral Home, Woodstock. The funeral service was held Jan. 28 at the funeral home. Burial was in McHenry County Memorial Park. Memorials can be made to the American Heart Association.
2/1/2006 Rex Marion Ray
Rex Marion Ray, 85, Washington, died Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2006, at his home following a short illness. He was born July 29, 1920, in Groton, S.D., to John and Bertha (Karnopp) Ray. He married Frances Hansen May 13, 1944, in Woodstock. He served stateside with the U.S. Army during World War II. He was a member of the United Presbyterian Church and a former deacon, a former member of the Washington Optimist Club, Isaac Walton League and Washington Historical Society, and he also a Scoutmaster. He and his wife moved to Washington in 1956 where he worked as a television and radio repairman for Western Auto and later co-owned T.V. Lab. He also was an independent insurance and investment representative retiring in 1983. He enjoyed woodworking and drawing and was an extremely good handyman. Survivors include his wife, Washington; two daughters, Carol Ray, Washington, and Janet (Howard) Singerman, Charlottesville, Va.; two grandchildren, Lillian and Rosalie Ray; and a sister-in-law, Rita Ray, Columbus Junction. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Harlan and Jim; and an infant son, Tom. Visitation was Jan. 27 at the Beatty Funeral Home in Washington. A memorial service was held Jan. 28 at the United Presbyterian Church in Washington with the Rev. Kitch Shatzer officiating. Memorials can be made to the YMCA or Hospice of Washington County.
2/1/2006 Mary Elizabeth Fitzpatrick
Mary Elizabeth Fitzpatrick, 66, Woodstock, died Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2006, at her home. She was born Dec. 16, 1939, in New Cumberland, Pa., to John and Theresa (Artner) Blasco. She married Paul Richard Fitzpatrick Dec. 29, 1962, in New Cumberland. She was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church, Woodstock. She received a bachelor of arts degree in mathematics and education at St. Joseph College, Emittsburg, Mass. She taught eighth-grade math at Olson Middle School, Woodstock, from 1982 to 2002. She was honored as the Woodstock School District 200 Teacher of the Year is 2000. After her retirement, she was retained as a consultant to the district for curriculum. She also was a private tutor and was a consultant and seminar leader for the University of Chicago Transition Math Text Book Series. She was a former member of the American Association of University Women. She had a great interest in searching for and collecting unique items and amassed a considerable collection of cookie jars, Tom Clark figurines and memorabilia. Survivors include her husband, Woodstock; three sons, Paul Richard (Kate) Fitzpatrick Jr., Holliston, Mass., Kevin Andrew (Julie) Fitzpatrick, Orono, Minn., and Michael John Fitzpatrick, Milwaukee; a daughter, Kelly Ann (Gavin) Woodward, Evanston; nine grandchildren, Molly, Colleen, Conor, Katie, Danny and Caitlin Fitzpatrick and Dillon, Carolyn and John Woodward; and two sisters, Bernadette Burch and Ann Paulette Lucas. She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, John Blasco. Visitation was Jan. 27 at Schneider-Leucht-Merwin & Cooney Funeral Home, Woodstock. Mass of the Resurrection was held Jan. 28 at St. Mary Catholic Church, Woodstock, with the Rev. Nicholas Federspiel officiating. Burial was in Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Woodstock. Donations can be made to District 200 Education Foundation, P.O. Box 172, Woodstock, IL 60098.
2/1/2006 Alberta Foerster
Alberta Foerster, 101, Woodstock, died Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2006, at Hearthstone Manor, Woodstock, where she lived for seven years. She was born May 22, 1904, in Louisville, Ky., to Albert and Anna (Haury) Able. She was a retiree of Kraft Foods Research, and after retirement, she spent many years volunteering at St. Francis Hospital in Evanston and Memorial Medical Center in Woodstock and with the McHenry County Department of Health. She also typed Braille textbooks for the blind. She was a great knitter and made many laryngectomy bibs and laprobes for nursing home and homebound residents. She was a member of St. Mary Church, Woodstock. Survivors include two sons, John (Beverly), Barrington, and Robert (Laverne), Woodstock; six grandchildren, James, Jeffery and Richard Foerster, Loraine Scala, Cynthia Huff Kasischke and Lynn Dooley; 15 great-grandchildren; and a niece, Toni Harrison. She was preceded in death by her parents and three brothers, Charles, Louis Bert and Paul. Visitation, followed by celebration of the funeral Mass, was Jan. 23 at St. Mary Catholic Church, Woodstock. Inurnment was in McHenry County Memorial Park. Memorials can be made to Hearthstone Manor or Hospice of Northeastern Illinois. Arrangements were made by Windridge Funeral Home, Cary.
