Charles L. (“Charlie” or “Chuck”) Burgess of Woodstock passed away in the early morning hours of Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, at SSM Health Monroe, Wis., Hospital, after a brief illness related to cancer complications. Born July 27, 1938, in Orchard Township, Wayne County, Ill., his heart always belonged to “southern Illinois.” Charlie was an accomplished union contractor and owner of Burgess Construction for many years, and he was very proud of the family home he built in 1965 on Raycraft Road. After his body rebelled from years of physical labor, he worked for Independent Inspections LTD as a building inspector in small communities in northern Illinois, including Wonder Lake and Lake In the Hills.  Charlie always valued the many friendships

Janet Lynn Voss, 73, passed away peacefully on Friday, Nov. 14, 2025, at JourneyCare Hospice in Barrington, Ill. Janet was born on May 4, 1952, in Kokomo, Ind. She had lived in Hoffman Estates and Schaumburg prior to living in McHenry County near Woodstock for the past 38 years. She is survived by her husband, Gary; her son, Kyle; and five siblings, Jo Ellen, James, Marcia, Gayle, and Amy. She was preceded in death by her parents, Richard and Mary Ellen Cope, and a sibling, Elizabeth. She was a loving wife to her husband Gary, a loving mother to her son Kyle, and a loving dog mom to her French bulldog. “Piper.” She was actively involved in the showing, breeding,

Ruth Ellen (Stahlecker) Rish, age 62, of Tustin, Michigan, passed away peacefully on October 30, 2025. She was born on May 3, 1963, in Woodstock, Illinois, to Dr. Helmuth A. and Vera R. Stahlecker.  Ruth dedicated her life to caring for others as a devoted nurse, and her compassion and gentle spirit touched the lives of countless patients, friends, and family members. Ruth was a loving and devoted wife of 30 years to her husband, Ronald Greg Rish.  She is also survived by her siblings: Tim Stahlecker, Cadillac, MI; Helmuth (Sandy) Stahlecker, Lebanon, OH; and Karen Stahlecker, Woodstock, IL; plus her cousins, and many nieces & nephews. Outside of her career, Ruth found joy in the simple and beautiful things in

Alice Irene Jenne, 94, of Marengo, died on Oct. 22, 2025. Alice was born in 1930 in a log farmhouse in Hansen Hollow, Akan Township, Wis., to farmers Andy and Mary (Dalberg) Hansen. She often reminisced about her childhood on the family farm, surrounded by family and close friends. Even years later, she delighted in showing new family members the place where it all began, proudly sharing the history of Hansen Hollow. Alice attended a small country school and graduated from Soldiers Grove High School before marrying Paul Koch on June 9, 1948. Together, they raised five children while farming in the area. In 1958, the family moved to Marengo, where they managed a large farm for several years before

John A. Radka died on Thursday, Oct. 23, at Harbor Village Assisted Living in Greendale, Wis. John was a native of Bloomington, Ill., and a more recent resident of Champaign after his retirement of 24 years as assistant superintendent of business and operations for the Woodstock schools. He was born in Bloomington to John and Anna Mulgrue Radka and graduated from Central Catholic High School, where he participated in all major sports and dramatics. He was also an active member of Bloomington’s two theater groups, The Community Players and the Playcrafters. He received his undergraduate and graduate degrees from Illinois State University, a Certificate of Advanced Study from Western Illinois University, and he pursued additional graduate study at the University

Sandra Ann “Sandy” Jackson, 88, of Woodstock, IL passed away peacefully on October 20, 2025, in hospice care following a brief battle with cancer. Born on May 1, 1937, in Woodstock, IL to Donald “Dutch” and Leona Leonard (Wood). Sandy was a lifelong resident of the community she loved. She was a proud graduate of St. Mary’s High School in Woodstock IL, class of 1954. Following graduation, Sandy began her career soaring the skies as a flight attendant for North Central Airlines. Her adventurous spirit and eye for beauty later found expression in her passion for interior design and home decorating, which she pursued with joy and creativity. Sandy was a sports enthusiast. She took great joy in watching her

Betty Jayne Buchert Waspi, 100 years, eight months, and 15 days, passed away Oct. 6, 2025, at Golden Years, Lake Geneva, Wis. She was born Jan. 21, 1925, in Elgin to Frank Jesse and Edith Bacon Buchert and raised in Richmond, Ill. After graduating from Richmond High School in 1942, she worked in Chicago before marrying Edward Charles Waspi on May 27, 1944, at the Community Church of Richmond, while Ed was serving in the Army Air Corps. After retirement, they moved from Richmond to Twin Lakes.  Betty was a loving mother and grandmother, always No. 1 Nana – a role she loved and cherished and an important part of the life of those who called her Nana and Great

Jamie Lynn Pierce, 60, of Woodstock, passed away on Sept. 28, 2025 at Northwestern McHenry Hospital after suffering a complication of diabetes.  She was born in Woodstock on Oct. 14, 1964, to Theodore D. and Brenda J. Pierce.  She was preceded in death by her partner, Ann Steinwart; uncle, Craig Pierce; and grandparents Theodore L. Pierce, Emma Pierce, and Ethel Pierce.  She is survived by her parents, Theodore D. Pierce (Joan), Eureka, Ill., and Brenda J. Pierce, Harvard; sisters, Laura Pierce (Bill), Harvard, Shelly Hernandez (Michael), Germantown Hills, Ill., and Amanda Ellis (Brett), Dunlap, Ill.; brother, Burliss Pierce (Courtney), Dunlap, Ill.; sons, David Pierce (Carrie), Crystal Lake, Anthony Staggs (Carolyn), Crystal Lake, and Andrew Staggs, Woodstock; aunt, Diane Pierce; nephews,