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Obituaries

William A. “Bill” Freund

William A. “Bill” Freund, 86, Woodstock, died Wednesday, June 24, 2013, at Florence Nursing Home in Marengo. He was born May 19, 1926, in Woodstock to Arthur N. and Margaret (Long) Freund. On Jan. 31, 1948, he married Mary Huebsch in Woodstock. He graduated from St. Mary High School in Woodstock and served in the Army Air Corps. He was an active member of St. Mary Catholic Church, Woodstock, and was a founding member of the Woodstock Little League. He also was a member of the Woodstock VFW.     He was a fireman in the Woodstock Fire/Rescue District for 36 years and was a trustee. He also served on various city commissions, including the board of building construction. He

Mary Elizabeth (Humphrey) Landa

Mary Elizabeth Landa, 52, Tower Lake, died suddenly Saturday, June 15, 2013. She was born July 6, 1960. She grew up in Rock Island and graduated from Rock Island High School. She attended Western Illinois University and graduated in 1983.  She married Scott Landa the summer after graduation. Within a few years, they moved to the northwest suburbs of Chicago. She was employed as a teacher at Woodstock High School for 25 years, teaching physical education, health and drivers education. She will be remembered by more than two decades of students for her warm personality, caring manner and belief that learning should be fun. She also will be remembered for her love of music, the arts, and most of all,

Dwight Harry Austin

Dwight Harry Austin, 78, Woodstock, died Thursday, June 20, 2013, at home surrounded by his loving family. He was born Dec. 29, 1934, in Woodstock to Columbus and Edna (Hill) Austin.   On July 14, 1956, he married Lucille Wakeley in Woodstock.   He and his children attended the First United Methodist Church, Woodstock.   For the past 10 years, he and his wife  were members of the First United Methodist Church, Harvard. He was raised on his family’s farm in Woodstock.  After high school graduation, he began his own farming operation, which included dairy cows and beef cattle.  In the late 1960s, he began working for the McHenry County Highway Department and continued for 22 years. During this time,

Arthur H. Priegnitz Sr.

Arthur H. Priegnitz Sr., 92, Woodstock, formerly of Huntley, died Tuesday, June 18, 2013, at Valley Hi Nursing Home, Woodstock. He was born May 5, 1921, in Algonquin to William and Bertha (Pinnow) Priegnitz.  On June 14, 1941, he married Ella Wienke in Crystal Lake. He was a dairy farmer in Huntley and also worked at Ketone Paint Service for many years. He enjoyed playing cards. Survivors include two daughters, Annette Kastning, Lubbock, Texas, and Mary (Edward) Manke, Marengo; a son, Arthur (Nancy) Priegnitz Jr., Huntley; eight grandchildren, Gloria (Chris) Goldbeck, Woodstock, Angela Holder, Casper, Wyo., Willard (Kathy) Kastning Jr., Woodstock, John (Sue) Kastning, Hebron, Bruce (Dawn) Kastning, Lubbock, Texas, Todd Manke, Mundelein, Jodi (Mike) Slama, Paris, Wis., and Heather

Kevin Daniel Green

Kevin Daniel Green, 22, Fontana, Wis., and Woodstock, died unexpectedly Saturday, June 15, as the result of a car accident in Walworth County. He was born Feb. 10, 1991, in Woodstock to Clancy P. and Margie Kersten Green. He graduated from Marian Central Catholic High School in 2009 and the University of Wisconsin – Madison in May 2013 with a Bachelor of Science degree in consumer affairs. He was excited about embarking on a new career as a manager with Amazon. From grade school through college, football was an integral part of his life. He played football for the St. Mary’s Fighting Irish, Marian Central Hurricanes and enjoyed playing rugby for the University of Notre Dame while attending Holy Cross

Arthur B. Schlenkert

Arthur B. Schlenkert, 93, Woodstock, formerly of Crystal Lake and Harvard, died Thursday, June 13, 2013. He was born Jan. 18, 1920, in New York to Anthony and Alice Schlenkert. He was raised in Chicago and served a few years in the Navy during World War II, stationed in Hawaii. Following his service in the Navy, he worked for Sargent & Lundy Engineers for 33 years. After his retirement, he was the park manager of Oak Brook Estates for 14 years. Survivors include his loving wife of 72 years, Harriett (Deehring) Schlenkert; two children, Linda (Rocco) Rubolino and William (Mary) Schlenkert; six grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents. Visitation was June 17

Charles A. “Ashley” Wilson

Charles A. “Ashley” Wilson, 98, Rockford, formerly of Woodstock, died Monday, June 10, 2013, at home. He was born Aug.11, 1914, in Newell, Iowa, to Edmond and Emma (McConnell) Wilson. He grew up and was raised on several farms in the Newell area. He graduated from Iowa State University in 1939 and later received a master’s degree in dairy science  from the University of Illinois – Urbana. He served in the U.S. Army prior to and during World War II. On March 23, 1943, he married Isabelle Thomson in Ottawa. He worked for the Borden Dairy Co. in Chicago for many years and lived in Franklin Park with his family until they moved to Woodstock in 1965. After the Woodstock

Eulalia “Euke” June O’Brien

Eulalia “Euke” June O’Brien, 86, Harvard, formerly of Woodstock, died Wednesday, June 5, 2013, at home. She was born Aug. 2, 1927, to Fred and Edna (Smith) Noble. She attended Woodstock Community High School and graduated in 1946. She married Edward O’Brien in August of 1950 and worked for many years at Precision Twist in Crystal Lake. Survivors include a brother, Frederick (Rae) Noble, Woodstock; a sister-in-law, Evelyn Noble Pratt, Harvard; nieces and nephews, Tom Noble, Lorrie Noble Simons, Mark Noble and Erin Noble Joosten; and several great-nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband and a brother, Oswald. Private funeral services were held June 7 at McHenry County Memorial Park, Woodstock.

Elizabeth J. Rogman

Elizabeth J. Rogman, 95, Centennial, Colo., formerly of Woodstock, died Sunday, June 9, 2013, at Christian Living Center and Johnson Center Nursing Home in Centennial.  She was born May 29, 1918, in Chicago to Henry and Harriet (Hansen) Roscher.  On Aug. 16, 1941, she married Gordon H. Rogman in Harvard.  She was a founding member of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Woodstock and was an active member of the Ladies Auxiliary at the American Legion. She loved bowling and was a member of at least four different bowling leagues. She was a volunteer at Woodstock Food Pantry for many years and worked as a bookkeeper at Thompson’s Appliance in Woodstock. She and her husband also owned and operated the Rogman’s South

Kevin E. Gregory

Kevin E. Gregory, 40, Woodstock, died Friday June 7, 2013, at his home.  He was born Dec. 23, 1972, in Harvard to Kenneth and Mary (Hauri) Gregory.  He was a 1991graduate of Woodstock High School.  He loved farm life and was active in 4-H for many years; he visited all the area county fairs and showed his dairy cattle, including his big Brown Swiss. He was employed at Dean Foods and with the city of Woodstock. He most recently worked as the assistant dairy herdsman for Buck A Dell Farms and also owned and operated Hogg Farms. He was mechanically inclined and enjoyed working on all types of farm equipment. He shared his huge heart with all who knew him.

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Larry Lough

Larry Lough is editor of The Independent and reports local news.

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Janet Dovidio

Janet Dovidio has been a freelance correspondent for The Independent for eight years.

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Susan W. Murray

Susan W. Murray wrote for The Independent, covering various beats, from 2005 to 2008.

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Tricia Carzoli

Tricia Carzoli is a freelance writer and photographer that on community news.

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