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Elgin Man Says Burglar Stole Box Containing Wife's Cremated Remains

(CBS) -- A 73-year-old widower in Elgin says he feels like he's grieving all over again - now that a burglar has stolen the box with his wife's cremated remains.

They were high school sweethearts. Married 53 years, Roger and Donna Stettner. And two years ago, Donna died at age 70.

"It's almost like losing your right arm," Roger said. "She's always been with me."

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Donna And Roger Stettner. (Credit: Roger Stettner.)

Roger says he kept her ashes in a container in the master bedroom. When he was out of town last month, a burglar came in and apparently panicked when the alarm went off and grabbed what may have looked like a jewelry box.

But it was Donna's ashes.

"I just want the ashes back," Roger said. " I can't believe what value they'd be to anybody else. That box is one thing. If they want to keep the box, fine. I just want the ashes back."

Stettner says he's not hopeful.

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"It depends on what they did with them. If the realize what they were and then pitched them, they won't ever come back. But I sure hope they do. But I don't think that may happen."

Stettner says he wants to get his wife's ashes back so he can be buried with them when he dies.

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