Bill Grunewald

Bill Grunewald, 89, formerly a longtime resident of Lake Villa, died Wednesday, July 10, 2019, at home.  He was born in 1929, in Chicago, to the late William and Margarete (nee Gechter) Grunewald.

A veteran of the Army, Bill was known by all to be a loving, forgiving, and generous man.  He grew up on, and eventually took over, the family’s Sunset Farm on Route 59 in Lake Villa, which is now part of the Lake County Forest Preserve.  Having been the son of immigrant parents who owned bakeries in Lombard and Chicago, Bill was also an experienced baker.

He was also the founder and owner of Lakeland Tractor in Woodstock for nearly 50 years.

Survivors include his wife, Sandy Hopkinson; sons, Michael (Bev), Mark (Nancy), Scott (Marcia), Paul, and John Grunewald; daughters, Catherine (John) Ullrich, Rachelle (John) Kotelnicki, Jamie (Bob) Mulford, and Juliet (Gary) Montemer; foster son, Victor (Sue) McGuire; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and stepsons, Keith (Alyssa), Scott (Susan), and E (Amy) Hopkinson.

In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by wife, Mary Ellen  Grunewald (nee Campbell).

Visitation Monday, July 15, from 3 p.m. until the time of funeral service at 7 p.m., at Hamsher Lakeside Funerals and Cremations, 12 N. Pistakee Lake Rd., Fox Lake.  Interment will be private in St. Bede Catholic Cemetery, Ingleside.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Bill’s name may be made to Our Lady of the Lakes—St. Bede Church, 36455 N. Wilson Rd., Ingleside 60041 or to any cancer research charity.

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