Marcia Ann Krage

            Marcia Ann Krage (nee Kraehnke), 65, of Lombard, passed away June 12, 2008, after a battle with esophageal cancer.

            Marcia was the beloved wife of Dennis and fond mother of Wendy (Daryl) Kemp of Elburn, Blaine (Doree) Krage of Lombard, Heather Leiner of Lansing and Jeff Krage of Lombard, and dearest grandmother of Rebecca, Brandon, Brittany and Brian Kemp, Dolores Pantaleone, Nicole and Alicia Krage, and Matthew, Jacob and Emily Leiner.

            She was preceded in death by twin daughters, Elizabeth and Tracey, and her father, Leslie Kraehnke.

            Services were held at Sunny Place Church of God in Addison, Ill., on June 28, 2008, with Pastors Pete Weber and Bill Giordano officiating. Memorials will be appreciated for the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America, www.ccfa.org.

Gary L. Wiszo-Waty

            Gary L. Wiszo-Waty, 64, of Maple Park, formerly of Elburn, passed away peacefully, Friday evening, June 27, 2008, after a courageous battle with cancer.

            He was born January 13, 1944 in West Palm Beach, Fla., the son of Ervin and Rita (Blair) Wiszo-Waty. In his early years the family moved to Chicago where Gary was a member of the first graduating class of West Leyden High School, in 1962. Following high school, Gary set his sights on becoming a Marine.  After an injury during training cut his tenure as a Marine short, he was united in marriage to Lynn Ann Jacobsen on November 2, 1963. They were blessed with three children, Lori, Michele and Kristina. The family relocated to Carbondale where he attended Southern Illinois University and studied special education.

            It was while in Carbondale that Gary’s skill as a sales professional was discovered. From there, he focused his professional talent to advance to regional sales manager of Crane Potato Chip Co. in Decatur and similar positions at Barrel of Fun, Inc. and Cloverhill Bakery, before his illness ended his career at Home Depot in Bensenville.

            After 37 years of marriage, Gary and Lynn divorced in 2000 and Gary made his home in Elburn. While there, he was involved as a CCD teacher at St. Gall Church. In 2006, he moved to Maple Park where he met Fr. Joachim Tyrtania of St. Mary’s of Assumption Catholic Church. They shared a common bond in their Polish heritage which Gary deeply appreciated.

            In 2007, he started construction on a beautiful new home in Maple Park, selecting a lot that offered a view of the church. His caring family helped him move into his new home in April 2008. The loving care of his family and the view of the church comforted him in his final days before God called him home.

            In life, Gary was a huge fan of the Chicago Bears and White Sox. Family members can attest to numerous instances when exceptional plays by the Bears resulted in startling those in the opposite end of the house from where Gary was “greatly enjoying” the game on TV.  He also enjoyed watching old movies and holiday dinners with his family. A great passion of his was selecting furnishings and decorating his homes, room by room.

            He was a stern and strict disciplinarian, but did it in a loving way, and his children respected him for it. He was a private man who kept many things to himself. Though deeply spiritual and very loving, he sometimes found it difficult to express all that he thought and felt.  Gary had a proud Marine armor which belied the generous, compassionate heart that beat within.

            He is survived by his father, Ervin of Lake Zurich, Ill., daughters Lori (Brett) Robinson of Bethany, Ill., Michele Wiszo-Waty, Kristina Hargrove and their mother Lynn Wiszo-Waty, all of Maple Park, brothers Mickey of Oak Lawn, Mark of Chicago and Bobby (Mary Ann) of Harvard, Ill., grandchildren Heather (Jordan) Lindenmeyer of Sullivan, Ill., Ashley Robinson of Champaign, Ill., Brennon Orr and Brianna Orr of Maple Park, Mallory and Paige Robinson of Bethany, Ill, and Gavon Hargrove of Maple Park and niece Rita Ann Wiszo-Waty of Harvard, Ill. He was preceded in death by his mother and his beloved Doberman, “Thunder”. 

            A visitation was held at Conley Funeral Home on July 2, 2008. A mass to celebrate his life will be held at St. Mary’s of Assumption Catholic Church, 123 S. County Line Rd, Maple Park at 10:30 a.m on July 3. The Rev. Fr. Joachim Tyrtania will officiate. Following cremation, private family committal services will later be held.

            Mary Anne Noren, 82, of rural St. Charles, passed away at her home, Friday afternoon, June 20, 2008, after a long battle with declining health.

            She was born March 14, 1926, the daughter of Edmond and Cecilia (Bisick) Van Der Zwalm. Mary Anne grew up in St. Charles, where her mother kept house for the priest at St. Patrick’s Church. Mary Anne later attended St. Patrick’s School.

             As a young girl, Mary Anne enjoyed spending summers near Reedsburg, Wis., where she and her cousins made lifetime memories and eternal connections.

            In the mid 1940s, she was united in marriage to Raymond Weirich. They made their home in Batavia, where they were living when Raymond was killed in an accident in 1962. Following his death, Mary Anne continued to live in Batavia in the home Raymond had built for her and their children.

            On June 25, 1966, she was united in marriage to Richard K. Noren, a long time family friend who raced stock cars with Raymond. They made their home in Batavia briefly before moving to the present family home in Campton Township, where they had room to raise children and Saint Bernards.

            Mary Anne was employed for a number of years as a switchboard operator for Illinois Bell Telephone Company and later for Howells Mfg., Hawley Products and others. She also worked part-time at the Arcada Theater in St. Charles, where she managed concessions and ushers. In later years, she worked at E.M.I. in Lily Lake. For many years, she was secretary to the Campton Township officials. When her husband, Richard, became the Campton Township Road Commissioner, Mary Anne stepped aside as secretary but was soon involved again when the cemetery trustees asked her to serve on their board. She was proud to serve and remained at their request until ill health required her to retire.

            Always outgoing, and full of fun and mischief, Mary Anne enjoyed going gambling on the boats. She was devoted to video poker and was always a VIP at the boat. At home, she had fun teaching her grandchildren the art of the game. It was only “penny poker,” but grandma played for keeps and taught her grandchildren to be genuine competitors.

            In the solitude of her home, Mary Anne found both peace and comfort as she watched the birds and the deer come to her picture window on the woods. It was there that she returned just days before her death, and there she claimed the eternal promise of her faith.

            In addition  to her husband, Richard, she is survived by one son, John (Karen) Weirich of Ocala, Fla.; one daughter, Cecilia Vermaat of Batavia; six grandchildren, Mary Anne (Andy) Zuniga of Fleetwood, Pa., Brian (Deanna) Thielk of St. Charles, Raelene Thielk of Geneva, Stephanie (Wayne) Jenkins of Frederich, Md., Amy (Matthew) Rubeck of Sycamore, and Christopher Vermaat of Elburn; seven great-grandchildren, James, Adriana, Andrew, Brandon, Jinal, Jarin, Joah, and one on the way; and her sister, Stella (Lyle) Pflederer of Elgin.

            In addition, she leaves several nieces and nephews, cousins and other relatives, including one special niece whom Mary Anne loved as a daughter, Mary Lou Maher.

            Mary Anne is preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, Raymond; one daughter, Ruth Anne Weirich; and one sister, Margie Koester.

            Visitation was held June 24 at Conley Funeral Home, Elburn. Friends and family prayed the Rosary at 4:30 p.m., and visitation concluded with a wake service at  8 p.m..

            Her funeral mass was held at St. Gall Church, Main and Shannon streets, Elburn, at 10:30 a.m. on June 25. A brief visitation was held at the church prior to the mass, from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. The Rev. Karl Ganss officiated, and interment followed at New Hampshire Cemetery, Route 47, near Beith Road in Campton Township.

            A memorial has been established in Mary Anne’s name to benefit St. Gall Church, the Anderson Animal Shelter and other favorite charities. Memorial checks may be made to the Mary Anne Noren Memorial and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, IL  60119. Tributes and memories may also be forwarded to the family at the same address or through her obituary at www.conleycare.com. Call Conley Funeral Service at (630)-365-6414.

Sue Pyle

            Sue Pyle, 65, of Big Rock, passed away suddenly Thursday, June 19, 2008, while spending time at her favorite Michigan getaway with her husband Jim and her sheepdog “Barney.”

            Sue loved and enjoyed time with her daughters, Kim (Steve) Michalsen of Hinckley, Krista (Randy) Carls of Hinckley and Kari (Mike Hoffmann) Pyle of Plano, as well as her very special little “grandma's girl,” Hailey Josephine Hoffmann.

            She had two sisters, Kathy (Mike) Hauge of Sugar Grove, and Salli (Duane) Walden of Yorkville, and one brother, Jeff (Christy) Ernst of Plainfield, Ill. Sue was preceded in death by her parents, Martin and Helen Ernst of Sugar Grove.

            Sue attended West Aurora Schools and graduated from Kaneland High School. She went on to attend the nursing program at Waubonsee Community College. Upon graduating, she went to Rush-Copley Oncology, starting with  the inpatient department and then eventually going on to outpatient oncology with Dr. Kaushik Patel. Over the course of 20-plus years, she touched many lives in a special way as she endeavored to make them cancer survivors.

            Since her retirement, Sue had really gotten into her love for fresh flowers. The Michigan cabin provided her ample opportunities to replace the much-dreaded gladiolas with something red, which was her favorite color.

            She was blessed to have some great friends in Illinois, but the Michigan people have also proved to be great friends and very special neighbors as well.

            Visitation was held Sunday at The Healy Chapel, Sugar Grove. The funeral service was Monday also at the funeral home, and there were no graveside services.

            Donations in Sue's name may be directed to an organization that directly impacts the well-being of a person or animal. For further information, please call (630) 466-1330 or visit www.healychapel.com.

Arlo William Schlechte

            Arlo William Schlechte, 88, of Tomball, Texas, formerly of Elburn,  went home to be with the Lord June 15, 2008.

            Having battled declining health for some time, he passed away peacefully at home, gratefully claiming the promise of his Savior and joyfully joined his beloved Loraine.

            Arlo was born Nov. 9, 1919, at the family home in McCool Junction, Neb. The sixth child of Ernest and Helena (Uffelman) Schlechte, he was baptized at St. John’s Lutheran Church on Dec. 21, 1919. Arlo attended St. John’s Lutheran School through eighth grade and was confirmed at St. John’s on March 25, 1934.

            Arlo lived at home and worked on the family farm until moving to Illinois in 1940. He first worked on a local dairy farm, but in December 1942, he switched to feeding cattle for another area farmer and continued there until 1951, when he married Loraine Guttke on March 17 of that year.

            They made their home on a farm in Hampshire, Ill., until March 1965, when they moved to a farm near Elburn.   There, Arlo continued farming until 1973, when he began working for the Kaneland School District No. 302. In January 1980, he and Loraine moved to Elburn, and Arlo continued working for the school district until his retirement in 1986.

            Following Loraine’s death on May 22, 1991, Arlo moved to Tomball, Texas, to live with his daughter Lorna and her family.

            All of his life, Arlo enjoyed gardening. And in Texas, he could have two growing seasons and twice the harvest. He spent time fishing as well, and enjoyed volunteering his many skills at church.   Not one to just sit back, Arlo became a  member of the church men’s club and the Texas German Society at Trinity Lutheran Church. He also enjoyed traveling with friends and seeing the sites.

            Always thoughtful and friendly, patient, hardworking and generous, Arlo made friends wherever he went and will long be remembered fondly by them all.

            He is survived by two daughters, Alaine Schlechte and Lorna (Ken) Noack, both of Tomball, Texas; four grandchildren, Jacob, Kristin, Kyle and Bethany Noack; three sisters, Lenora Gocke of North Platte, Neb., Almira Dochow of Portland, Ore., and Loa Braker of Orange, Calif., and one brother, Lorence Schlechte of Blanchard, Idaho.

            He is preceded in death by his wife, Loraine; his parents; three brothers: Edgar, Waldo, and Gerald Schlechte; and one sister, Olga Peterson.

            Arlo’s funeral service was held on June 18 at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Spring, Texas.

            Internment concluded at Bethania Cemetery, Justice, where Arlo was laid to rest with his beloved Loraine.

            Condolences may be forwarded to the family through a link to Arlo’s obituary at www.conleycare.com or mailed to the family in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, IL, 60119.

            For information, call Conley Funeral Home at (630) 365-6414.

He was born on June 27, 1951 in Paducah, Ky.; a son of Loyd and Emma (Schmidt) Gholson.

Louis graduated from Murray State University and was Sigma Pi and Gamma Epsilon. Louis was a sales rep for Pepsi Americas for 12 years. He was the past President of the Elburn Lions Club. His Aunt Ruth inspired him, and for 18 years he taught Sunday school and was an elder for six years and a board member.

His family members include his wife, Karen (Kling-Hessler) Gholson of Oswego; his son, Michael (Shauna) Gholson of DeKalb; two daughters, Sarah Gholson of Elburn and Nichole Gholson of Joliet; his grandchildren, Tristan, Laine and Hannah; two step-sons, Jason (Agnes) Hessler of Okinawa, Japan and Steven Hessler of Yorkville; two sisters, Katherine Brown of Kevil, Ken., and Louise (Ray) Musgrave of Paducah, Ken.; and his two brothers, Lloyd (Carol) Gholson of Milford, Ohio, and Charles “Charlie” (Jayna) Gholson of Kevil, Ky.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 22, at the Lions Park in Elburn. Memorials in lieu of flowers may be made to the Elburn Lions Charities or to a Sunday School Program of the donor's choice.

He was born in Bundy, Wis., on Jan. 27, 1935, to Floyd and Netty (Larson) Goodell.

Lefty joined the Army on March 4, 1952, and was soon stationed in Germany. He was honorably discharged on March 9, 1955.

He married the former Jean Bosi on May 11, 1957 in Waukegan, Ill., and the couple settled in Rhinelander, Wis., before moving to Illinois in 1963.

He was employed as a maintenance foreman by Barber Green for 25 years and Caterpillar for 10 years, which he retired from in 1999 and returned to Bundy, Wis. He then took on the role of “Mr. Fix-It,” donating his talents at repairing almost anything for people in his neighborhood.

In his spare time, Lefty enjoyed the outdoors: four-wheeling, fishing and blackberry picking in season. He further enjoyed tinkering with Fords and John Deeres and going out polka dancing with his wife. Most of all, Lefty would like to be remembered for his loving dedication to his home, his land and his family.

He is survived by his wife, Jean; his daughters, Julia (John) Lorang of Waterman, Ill., Patty (Willy) Maier of Maple Park, and Suzie Welsh (Lynne) of Peosta, Iowa; his brother, David (Nancy) Marth of Davenport, Iowa; his sisters, Shirley (Leon) Robison of Pelican Lake and Linda (Richard) Klaver of Rhinelander, Wis..; his nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son, Geno; his parents; his brother, Floyd; and his sister, Judy.

A memorial service for Lefty was held June 16 at Hildebrand-Russ Funeral Home, with Deacon Ron Bosi officiating. Visitation was held at the funeral home that afternoon until the time of services. A memorial has been established in his name and contributions may be directed to the family. All are invited to share memories of Lefty online at www.hildebrandfh.com.

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday at 11 AM at Trinity Lutheran Church, 5201 Spring Cypress Rd. Spring, Texas, 77379. Interment will take place in Bethania Cemetery in Justice, Ill.

Kevin J. Bryant

Kevin J. Bryant, 21, of Batavia, passed away on Sunday, June 8, 2008, in Loveland, Colo., surrounded by his loving family.

He was born July 15, 1986, in Aurora to John and Theresa (Abell) Bryant.

Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. on Thursday June 12, at The Healy 370 Division Dr., Sugar Grove. A funeral mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 13, at Holy Cross Church, 2300 Main St., Batavia. For information, call (630) 466-1330 or visit www.healychapel.com.

Stephanie J. Wicaryus

Stephanie J. Wicaryus, 90, of Wasco, passed away following a two-year battle with dementia that eventually crippled her mind, but never her spirit. In her last hours, surrounded by the love of her family, she followed her husband to their heavenly home in the early morning hours of Wednesday, June 4, 2008.

She was born July 21, 1917, to John and Frances Bieronski in Chicago.

Stephanie was a first-generation Polish-American and grew up in Chicago while attending local schools. She found work at several manufacturing companies through her early years, including a mustard company, a factory that made the Baby Ruth candy bar, and Amatorp, where they manufactured torpedoes during the war. Stephanie also worked for many years as a housekeeper for the Chicago Polish Alliance Club.

Beginning in the early 1940s, Stephanie found work as an operator for Illinois Bell and retired as a supervisor more than 35 years later, in 1976. After her husband Stanley passed away, Stephanie began working at Geneva High School as a lunch lady and quickly made a name for herself among the students, her favorites always getting “extra.” After many years, her legend was cemented. On her final day, she counted hundreds of students among her friends and found her picture in 17 different yearbooks.

She found the love of her life when she was only 17. Two whirlwind weeks later, and to the chagrin of both families, she was united in marriage to Stanley Wicaryus on Jan. 11, 1936, at St. Aloysius Church in Chicago.

They began their new life together in an apartment for several years until they moved to Glen Ellyn. There they purchased five acres of land, built a house and continued to raise a family, making their house “home” for the next 46 years. On Sept. 5, 1985, Stephanie and Stanley moved in with their daughter in Wasco.

Stephanie was a faithful member of the Third Order of St. Francis, as well as Telephone Pioneers for many years.

Stephanie loved polka dancing at local neighborhood bars, the Aragon Ballroom and Navy Pier. She was also gifted at crocheting and would give afghans to family and friends, and even taught her son how to darn socks and do the laundry.

Later in life, Stephanie became the “official cheerleader,” complete with cowbell, that she’d ring with gusto for her great-grandchildren at Tae Kwon Do tournaments. She was infamous for her driving, until finally giving up her license in 1995 much to the relief of the general public, not to mention her family.

Stephanie was great in the kitchen and made the most authentic Polish food, the recipes for which were passed down for generations. There was never a woman who was more kind and compassionate—unless, of course, someone had somehow “wronged” one of her family; then the gloves came off and heaven help you if you were that person. Her passion for family, strength of spirit and her favorite phrase, “Fit as a fiddle and ready for love!” is the legacy she leaves behind, along with hundreds of stories of days gone by that will live on in the hearts of those who loved her.

She now leaves her daughter, Pat; son, Richard Wicaryus of Capron, Ill.; two grandchildren, James R. Wicaryus of Chamong, Ill., and Dottie-Marie “Anne” Cosgriff-Powell; three great-grandchildren, Kathryn Fisher, Jade Cosgriff-Powell and Jesse Cosgriff-Powell, all of Geneva; two siblings, Theodore Bieronski of Berwyn, Ill., and Lillian Traczyk of Chicago; many nieces, nephews and a family of friends.

She now joins her husband, Stanley; her parents; and two siblings, Irene Knitter and John Bieronski, who died in infancy.

Friends called June 8 at Conley Funeral Home, Elburn. A mass to celebrate her life was held June 9 at The Church of St. Gall, Elburn.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in her name to benefit the Church of St. Gall Building Fund, Carlton Home Health and VNA Hospice. Checks may be made to the Stephanie Wicaryus Memorial and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, IL 60119. Tributes and memories may also be forwarded to the family at the same address or through www.conley care.com.

John was born September 20, 1929 in Malta IL to Ludvick and Blanche (Walker) Almburg. He grew up raising livestock and grain on the family farm where five generations of Almburgs have lived. John graduated from Malta High School with the class of 1947 and from the University of Illinois in 1951 with a degree in agriculture. While in college he was a member of the livestock judging team that won the national livestock judgin championship in 1950. He continued judging livestock throughout the Midwest for FFA and 4H shows. Following graduation from University of Illinois, John served in Korea with the veterinary corps, a branch of the Army, where he enlisted for 2 years.

He married Donna Hewitt at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Rochelle on Oct. 23, 1955. Early in his career, he was a meat specialist with the national livestock and meat board in Chicago. He traveled the U.S. doing television shows about cutting,cooking and serving meat. He then served as the market reporter for the Chicago Union Stockyards and his reports were heard throughout the area and across the country on WLS Radio. He later accepted a position at WGN Radio’s Farm Service Department where he did the farm show with Orion Samuelson until 1968. For a short time he took a position at Aurora’s new television station WLXT, Channel 60. There he was Sports Director (and hired Tom Skilling at the tender age of fourteen).

In 1960 he attended auction school at Repperts School of Auctioneering in Decatur, Indiana. While John “had a voice for radio” he is perhaps best known across the Midwest for the Almburg Auctioneering and Realty business. In 1968 he retired from radio work and devoted his full attention to the auctioneering and real estate business. During his lifetime John conducted thousands auctions and he donated his auctioneering time and talent to numerous causes over the decades. Most notably for over 40 year he was a livestock auctioneer at 4H auctions including the Kane County Fair, Big Rock Plowing Match and Elburn Days. John’s long career provided him the opportunity to sell the livestock from families spanning three generations. His engaging personality and sense humor made attending an Almburg auction a day of entertainment. At the time of his death John was still an active co-owner of Almburg Auctioneering along with his son Steve and grandson Andrew.

In the last 15 years John was a frequent flyer to Scottsdale, Arizona during the cold northern months, and there he was a member of La Casa de Cristo Lutheran Church.

Despite his very active life and the numerous demands upon his time, he was first and foremost a family man. John is survived by his wife of 52 years Donna and their four children: Steve (Anne) of Malta, IL; Shelley Almburg of Dexter, Michigan; Shari (Jay) King of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and Suzanne (Craig) Anderson of Sycamore, IL.

He was extremely proud of his eight grandchildren: Andrew, Eric and Adam Almburg; Ryan, Amanda and Kellie King; Nicholas and Neil Anderson. He loved to attend their events and no place was too far to travel.

He is survived by two brothers Fred of Malta, IL and Joseph (Phyllis) of Delavan Wisconsin, and John was called “Uncle” by their numerous sons and daughters. He was preceded in death by two sisters Lois Eike and Mary Phelps. John’s active social and professional life leaves behind many good friends at area coffee shops and among families and communities across the country-where thousands were simply proud to call him “friend”.

Visitation will be Wednesday, April 16, 2008 at Conley Funeral Home in Elburn, 116 W. Pierce Street, Elburn, IL. Remembering John as he lived, his family will welcome friends at the funeral home from morning until evening, exactlyas they have at auctions throughout his life. Visitation will be held from 10 am until 8 pm. Private family funeral services will be held Thursday morning at Conley Funeral Home and John will be laid to rest at Sugar Grove Cemetery.

MEMORIAL In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in John’s name to benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and other favorite charities. Memorials checks may be made to the John Almburg Memorial and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, IL 60119. Tributes and condolences may be mailed to the family at the same address or e-mailed through his obituary at www.conleycare.com.