Monday, September 30, 2002

Obituary: Ben J. Ciulla

MADISON [Wisconsin] - Ben J. Ciulla, age 75, died on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2002, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in "The Bush" on March 4, 1927, the son of Peter and Anna (Cimino) Ciulla. Ben graduated from Madison Central High School. Upon graduation he entered the military, serving in the Air Force during WWII. Ben was a sheet metal worker for many years and a proud member of the sheet metal workers union, local #565. He had a great love of travel, the outdoors, and tinkering with home projects. His first love was his family and he is survived by 10 children, Nancy (Ken) Marshall, Paul (Natalie) Ciulla, Anna (Jack) Brown, Theresa (Donnie) Boatright, Ben (Sharon) Ciulla Jr., Kathy (Darryl) Campbell, Tony Ciulla, Carrie (Tray) Turner, Angela (Tom) Ciulla, and Richard "BJ" Ciulla; nine grandchildren, six great-grandchildren; a brother, Richard Ciulla; a sister, Mary Lou Hockett; a former wife, Paula Ciulla; and several nieces and nephews. Ben was preceded in death by a son, Peter Ciulla; his parents; and a sister, Isabell Ciulla. A brief memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2002, at ROSELAWN MEMORIAL PARK CHAPEL, 601 E. Broadway, Monona, with Monsignor Douglas Dushack presiding. Following the cemetery service, friends and family are invited to a reception at 3405 Dryden Drive, from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be made in Ben's memory to be disbursed by his family, in care of Mary Lou Hockett, 3125 Thorp St., Madison, 53714. Forever in our Hearts. Fitch Lawrence Sanfillippo Cress Funeral & Cremation Service (608) 238-8406

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on September 30, 2002; submitted by Michael Vahldieck (Class of 1968)

Saturday, September 14, 2002

Obituary: Anthony "Tony" "Zing Lee" Tartamella - Class of 1934

MADISON [Wisconsin] - Anthony "Tony" "Zing Lee" Tartamella, age 85, died on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2002. He was born in "The Bush" on Nov. 29, 1916, the son of Salvatore and Maria (Bonfilio) Tartamella. Tony graduated from Madison Central High School in 1934. He was stationed in India while serving in the U.S. Army during World War II. Tony graduated from UW-Madison in 1949, earning a B.A. in social work. He was a 26-year employee of Dane County Human services, retiring in February 1979. Tony was a member of the Eagles Club, the Moose Lodge and the Greig Club. He enjoyed playing cards, watching football, socializing with friends and family and traveling, particularly to Florida and Las Vegas. He is survived by his niece and goddaughter, Diane (Maides King Jr.) Tartamella of Madison; a nephew, Sam J. Tartamella of Brooklyn; a great-nephew, Levi Joseph King Tartamella of Madison; his companion of many years, Mary Geier of Madison, and her children and grandchildren, whom Tony adored and treated as family. Tony was preceded in death by two sisters, Rose Tartamella and Anna Grignano; and a brother, Joseph Tartamella. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2002, at ST. PETER'S CATHOLIC CHURCH, 5001 N. Sherman Avenue, with Father Roger Nilles presiding. Friends may call on the family from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at the church. Entombment will follow at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made in Tony's memory and will be disbursed by his family. Tony's family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to the staff of HospiceCare for their comfort and support during Tony's last two weeks of life. Tony, we will miss your smile, your humor, and your liveliness. Diane, Sam, Mary and family. What we call the beginning is often the end, and to make an end is to make a beginning. The end is where we start. Our strength comes from within you, light and energy shine eternally through the soul. Fitch Lawrence Sanfillippo Cress Funeral and Cremation Service (608) 238-8406

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on September 14, 2002; submitted by Michael Vahldieck (Class of 1968)

Sunday, September 01, 2002

Obituary: June Marie (Soehle) Skorupa

MILWAUKEE [Wisconsin] - June Marie Skorupa (nee Soehle), age 74, was born to eternal life Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2002. June was born in Madison, attending St. Patrick's Elementary, Madison Central High School and UW. She was a school secretary for many years and retired from Daniel Webster Middle School, Milwaukee. She was also a championship bowler. She was the beloved wife of the late Albert Skorupa; loving mother of Charles Skorupa; special friend of Andrew Petrasko; dear niece of Charlotte Martin; and cousins of Leo Halverson, Marcia duVair, Robert Halverson, Philip Martin II, Jeanne Martin, Lisa Garvey and Laura Martin; and is also survived by other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Theodore Soehle and Kathryn (nee Britt); paternal grandparents, Theodore and Estelle Soehle; maternal grandparents, Charles and Catherine Bartle; and aunts, Marcella Halverson and Helen Fergen. A Memorial Mass will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 5, 2002, at ST. BERNADETTE CATHOLIC CHURCH 8200 W. Denver, Milwaukee, with visitation from 10 a.m. until the Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. Private interment will be at Holy Apostles Cemetery, New Berlin, Wis. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be offered to the Ronald McDonald House, Wauwatosa, Wis.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on September 1, 2002; submitted by Michael Vahldieck (Class of 1968)

Obituary: Carol Jean (Denton-Fell) Butz - Class of 1953

MADISON, WIS./ BARRINGTON, ILL. - Carol June Butz (nee Denton-Fell) of Barrington, Ill. was promoted to heaven on Aug. 15, 2002. She was born in Madison, to Dorothy (nee Neu) and Herbert H. Fell on Aug. 30, 1935. She graduated from Madison Central High School in 1953, and was employed by the Madison Police Dept. until her marriage to Ronald Butz in April 1959. Carols life was characterized by her strong Christian faith. She was a loving wife, mother, sister, and friend. She had many interests which were: genealogy (she had more than 7000 names logged into her computer), photography (many albums carefully catalogued), square dancing, ethnic cooking club, gardening (her latest project was a beautiful butterfly garden), and crafts. She would love watching the birds at her feeders and one feeder was labeled "Carols". Carol leaves to mourn her beloved husband, Ronald Butz. They were married 43 years. Also, her sons, Bradley (Katie) and their children, Lauren, Jennifer, and Faith Emily of Glenview, Ill; Bruce (Leann) and their children, Amberli, Chadd, Geneva, and Alaina of East Dundee, Ill.; her daughters, Brenda (Tim) Kuntz and their children, Jesse, and Aaron of Carol Stream, Ill., and Barbara (Ray) and their children, Andrew, Grace and Ben on the way Lunaburg of Hoffman Estates, Ill. Carol also leaves behind to grieve, her sisters, Marilyn Rowin of Westfield, Edith Flessert of Shawans, and Dolores Savoia of Mt. Prospect, Ill; her brothers, Alfred Denton of Bourbonnaise, Ill., and John (Nancy) Barden of Waunakee, Wis.; her mother-in-law, Marie Butz of Fort Atkinson; her sisters-in-law, Doris (Herb) Heiney of Sreamwood, Ill., and Patricia (Bill) Smith of Antioch, Ill.; her brothers-in-law, Gary (Diane) Butz of Maringo, Ill., Russell (Nancy) of L.A. Calif., Steve (Kathy) Butz of Kingston, Ill., and many well loved nieces, and nephews, cousins and friends. Family and friends were very important to Carol. Carol was preceded in death by her parents; her father-in-law, Roy Butz; her beloved granddaughter, Emily in 2001; her great nephew, Casey Rowin in 1996; her nephew Rueben Flessert in 2001; her brothers-in-law, John B. Savoia in 1984, Robert Butz in 1990, and Ray Rowin in 2002. Her funeral was presided over by Pastor Joe Besenjak of Willow Creek Community Church. Eulogies were offered by Leann Butz, and Nancy Armas of Arizona. Leann also read a tribute written by her dear friend Barb Skogh of Barrington, Il., and Nancy read a poem about Carol composed by Connie Spitza of Colorado Springs, Colo. Memorials may be made to Habitat for Humanity, P.O. Box 1167, Americus Ga. 91709-9951. Carol was interred at Evergreen Cemetery, Barrington, Ill. The Davenport Family Funeral Home of Barrington Ill. served the family.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on September 1, 2002; submitted by Michael Vahldieck (Class of 1968)