Robert J. Zimmermann, 83, Woodstock, died Friday, July 5, at home. He was born Aug. 17, 1929, in Chicago to Fred and Theresa (Gart) Zimmermann. On April 7, 1951, he married Barbara Haack at St. Mary Church, Woodstock. He moved to Woodstock at the age of 9 and was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church ever since. He was employed with Woodstock Die Casting Company and, after retirement, ventured into several different jobs ranging from selling fertilizer to working at a car wash. He was a dedicated family man and received enjoyment from his children and grandchildren. Survivors include his wife; three sons, Steven (Kathleen) Zimmermann, Palatine, John W. (Diane) Zimmermann, Fresno, Calif.,  and Jerome “Jerry” Zimmermann, Woodstock; five

Miriam Lydia Eggum, 95, died Tuesday, July 2, 2013, in Monroe, Wisconsin. She was born Aug. 23, 1917, in Chicago to Herbert and Amelia (Schmidt) Schrecke.   On July 24, 1937, she married John Eggum. She moved with her family to Woodstock in 1956.   She enjoyed playing bridge and volunteering for the hospital auxiliary gift shop. She was a member of Grace Lutheran Church for more than 50 years, the Woodstock Garden Club and McHenry County Homemakers Extension.  She lived for her children and grandchildren and all the wonderful holidays they celebrated together.  Survivors include two sons, John N. (Pamela) Eggum, Oak Park, and William A. Eggum, Monroe, Wisconsin; a daughter, Karen A. (Jerry) Wells, Woodstock; four grandchildren, Donald

Gerald “Jerry” A. Draffkorn Sr., 74, Wonder Lake, died Tuesday, July 2, 2013, at The Springs in Crystal Lake, surrounded by his loving family. He was born Jan. 2, 1939, in Chicago to Frank and Marian Quall Draffkorn. On Aug. 8, 1982, he married Susan Sullivan in Wonder Lake. He served in the U.S. Army. He was a well driller and retired three years ago from Joseph H. Huemann & Sons, Ringwood. He was a member of The Church of Holy Apostles, McHenry. Survivors include his wife; Wonder Lake, two daughters, Jennifer (Patrick) Etherington, Round Lake Park, and Jill Draffkorn, Woodstock; three sons, Jerry (Natalie) Draffkorn Jr., Woodstock, Jeff (Mary) Draffkorn, Mount Prospect, and Jim Draffkorn, Wheeling; two brothers, Frank

Pearl Irene Bartel Rud, 91, Sarasota, Fla., died Monday June 17, 2013, at The Springs in Sarasota. She was born Nov. 2, 1921, in Franksville, Wis., to William Emil and Margaret Lillian Bartel. On Jan. 31, 1942, she married Harold Ragnar Rud in Chicago. She attended Steinmetz High School in Chicago and raised her family in Oriole Park. She enjoyed hosting family gatherings. She especially enjoyed children and encouraged her children and grandchildren to stand up for themselves and do well in school. She also enjoyed skiing, taking her children on excursions and visiting friends and family in Illinois and Wisconsin.  She worked as a school secretary for many years before retiring with her husband – a veteran and former

Brian E. Messman, 53, Woodstock, died Monday, June 17, 2013, at Centegra Hospital-McHenry. He was born Oct. 26, 1959, in Woodstock to Marion and Grace (Thompson) Messman. He married Pam Francke. He worked for many years as a carpenter. He loved riding his motorcycle, camping and being in the outdoors. Most of all, he loved spending time with his family. Survivors include his wife; his parents; three sons, Tony (Kayla), Tom and Christopher; two daughters, Briana (Grant) Kolehase and Autumn; four brothers, Jerry, Ed, Steve (Diane) and Peter; a sister, Beth (Bill Olson) Messman; a grandchild, Lillian Francke; and nieces and nephews, Salina and Hannah Messman and Gary and Katie Fike. A memorial gathering was held June 21 at Schneider-Leucht-Merwin

Dan E. Andrew, 93, Winston-Salem, N.C., formerly of Park Ridge and Woodstock, died Sunday, March 31, 2013.  He was born in 1919 in Nebraska, to R.O. and Lotta Andrew. He moved with his parents to Woodstock in 1925. He received an accounting degree from the University of Illinois at the age of 20, as a member of the Reserve Officer Training Corps Army Horse Calvary. He served during World War II and supervised the making of munitions. He also served during the Korean War and remained in the Army Reserve until 1979, retiring as a colonel. He earned an MBA from the University of Chicago and held a variety of executive positions, including working at his family’s buisness, R.O. Andrew

Richard A. Volz, Texas, 75, formerly of Woodstock, died Wednesday, June 19, 2013, after a battle with cancer. He was born July 10, 1937, in Woodstock to Helen and Emil Volz. He was an Eagle Scout and a Scout leader. He received his BS, MS and PhD in electrical engineering from Northwestern University, Evanston. He was head of the Computer Science Department of Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, from 1988 to 1997. He was the founding director of the Robotics Research Laboratory and professor of electrical engineering and computer science at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich., from 1964 to 1988. He served on five federal advisory boards: The Air Force Scientific Advisory Board, the Ada Board, the

Wayne A. Sherman, 73, Huntley, formerly of Woodstock, died Sunday, June 30, 2013, at home. He was born April 16, 1940, in Woodstock to Dorr A. and Adlynn E. (Piska) Sherman. On July 17, 1965, he married Audrey F. Share in Woodstock. He was a member of the First Congregational Church of Huntley. He loved fishing on Lake Michigan – or any small pond – and was a member of Salmon Unlimited in Racine, Wis. He loved to farm and was an avid Chicago Bears fan. Survivors include his wife; a son, Richard (Jesika) Sherman, Lake in the Hills; a daughter, Tami (Rick) Van Wazer, Lombard; a sister, Sharon K. (Barb Iverson) Sherman; and two grandchildren, Ezequiel and Jacob. He

Robert J. Nickels, 72, Hebron, formerly of Woodstock, died Thursday, June 6, 2013. He was born Jan. 4, 1941, in Woodstock to Marvin and Hazel (Wilcox) Nickels. Survivors include his mother; a daughter, Deborah (John) Brown; three sons, Richard, Zeke and Zack Nickels; and two grandchildren, Anthony and Jacqueline Brown. He was preceded in death by his father and an infant granddaughter. Private services and burial were held June 13 at McHenry County Memorial Park.

Vernell E. Bennett, 88, Marengo, died Sunday, June 23, 2013, at Hearthstone Manor, Woodstock. She was born Oct. 15, 1924, in Freedom, Ky., to Paul and Ruby (Davis) Burks.  On Dec. 15, 1945, she married Gerald J. Bennett in Chicago. She loved doing cross stitch, cooking and gardening. She also loved flowers. Survivors include her husband; two sons, Gerald J. (Debbie) Bennett Jr. and Richard J. Bennett; two daughters, Paulette J. (Budd) Haas and Kathleen M. Bennett; three granddaughters, Kelly Haas, Claire Bennett and Lily Bennett; and a sister, Margie Bullington. She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, John Burks; and a sister, Claudie Bullington. Visitation and the funeral Mass were June 27 at St. Mary Catholic