Obituary: Phyllis I. Ellis - Class of 1942

MADISON [Wisconsin] - Phyllis I. Ellis, age 78, of Madison, died unexpectedly at her home on Monday, Dec. 23, 2002. She was born on July 3, 1924, in Madison, the daughter of Howard and Laura (Kelly) Ellis. She proudly graduated from Central High School in 1942, and was a technician at Mendota Mental Health Institute as a head of the x-ray department until her retirement in 1986. She was a member of St. Peter Catholic Church. She and Rose enjoyed 39 years at her ;cottage in Harmony Grove, where she made many good friends. Phyllis was an avid bowler and softball player in the Madison area. She enjoyed singing and telling jokes. She also liked the occasional hoopensocker with her friends at the Avenue Bar and the Esquire Club. Phyllis loved life and lived it to the fullest. She is survived by her sister, Patricia (John) Craig of Madison; nieces and nephews, Laurie (Larry) Sokolak of Madison, Cindy Craig of Madison, Danny (Virginia) Craig of Cottage Grove, Amy (Mike) Clark of Sun Prairie, Carrie (Rick) Brownrigg of Lodi, MaryAnn (Dan) Faust of Waunakee, and Mike (Karen) McCarty of Indianapolis; Ind.; many other nieces, nephews; great-nieces, great-nephews, relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Frances Younger and Mary Grace Capelle; two brothers, Dick and John Ellis; and her beloved friend, Rosemary McCarty. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 27, 2002, at ST. PETER CATHOLIC CHURCH, 5001 N. Sherman Ave., with Father Roger Nilles officiating. Entombment will be at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery Mausoleum. Friends may call from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 26, 2002, at RYAN FUNERAL HOME, 2418 N. Sherman Ave., where a rosary will be recited at 6:30 p.m. Friends may call again from 9 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday at the church. In lieu' of flowers, memorials may be made to HospiceCare Inc. or the St. Peter's Catholic Church Music Department. Thanks for being there for us; we love you, "Philly Dilly." You will be dearly missed by all. Ryan Funeral Home 2418 N. Sherman Ave. (608) 249-8257

Originally published in The Capital Times on December 25, 2002; submitted by Michael Vahldieck (Class of 1968)

Obituary: Joyce Arlene (Flugum) Gauper - Class of 1944

STOUGHTON [Wisconsin] - Joyce Arlene (Flugum) Gauper, age 76, died on Monday, Dec. 16, 2002, at home of cancer. She was born in Madison on April 14, 1926, the daughter of Burns and Hjordis (Arneson) Flugum. Joyce graduated from Madison Central High School and remained active in class of 1944 post-graduation activities. She graduated from UW-Madison with a degree in physical education in 1950. She taught in Elkhorn and Green Bay. On Oct. 8, 1955, she married Glen A. Gauper and they made their home in the Chicago area until retirement in 1986. While in Stoughton, Joyce was active in Garden Club, hardanger and Entre Nous. At Covenant Lutheran Church she participated in the Ladies Circle, quilting, and was an innovator and leader in the Church Women's Retreat. Joyce is survived by her husband, Glen; daughter, Patricia (Mark) Joseph, and grandson, Adam, of Champaign, Ill.; daughter, Pamela Gauper of Arlington Heights, Ill.; and son, Daniel (Lisa) Gauper, and grandchildren, Christopher and Emily Joyce, of Bloomington, Minn. Joyce was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Marian (Norman) Seamonson; brother, Robert (Eileen) Flugum; and her stepfather, Samuel Mintz. Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 20, 2002, at COVENANT LUTHERAN CHURCH, 1525 N. Van Buren St., Stoughton. The Rev. Mark Peterson will officiate and burial will be in Roselawn Memorial Park. Luncheon will follow at the church. The family will greet guests from 10 a.m. until the time of the services on Friday at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to HospiceCare Inc. of Dane County or the American Cancer Society. Olson-Holzhuter-Cress Stoughton (608) 873-9244

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on December 18, 2002; submitted by Michael Vahldieck (Class of 1968)

Obituary: John J. Coyle, Sr.

CROSS PLAINS [Wisconsin] - John J. Coyle, Sr., age 92, passed away on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2002, at the Nazareth House in Stoughton. He was born on March 22, 1910, in Pine Bluff, the son of John P. and Sarah (Keegan) Coyle. He was a graduate of Madison Central High School and married Irene Dolarosa Doyle on Nov. 26, 1936. John was a talented musician who sang on the radio, prior to entering the Navy in the early days of World War II. John was a veteran of World War II, the Korean Conflict and Vietnam, and received the Navy Commendation at Guam during World War II. John was a member of the American Legion Post #245 of Cross Plains, the Knights of Columbus, Fleet Reserve Association, NARFE, and was a past member of Toastmasters. He was also a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church of Cross Plains. John is survived by two sons, John J. (Linda) Coyle of Middleton and Patrick (Karen) Coyle of Wauwatosa; and a grandson, Lucas Coyle. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Irene; a son, Timothy; three brothers, Cornelius, Barney and Bill Coyle; and two sisters, Margaret Tiedeman and Alice Saubert. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. FRANCIS XAVIER CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2947 Thinnes Street, Cross Plains, at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2002, with Father Tom Kelley presiding. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery in Pine Bluff. Family and friends may call from 4 p.m. until the time of services at the church on Wednesday. Gunderson West Funeral Home 7435 University Avenue Middleton (608) 831-6761

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on December 9, 2002; submitted by Michael Vahldieck (Class of 1968)

Obituary: Gordon Negroni

MADISON [Wisconsin] - Gordon Negroni died on Dec. 4, 2002, due to heart complications. Gordon was born on Feb. 22, 1930, to Gordon and Luberta Johnson in Prescott, Ark. Gordon attended Madison Central High School and served in the Army. He is survived by his daughter, Shereen Negroni; his ex-wife and still best friend, Crystal Negroni; a brother, Virgil (Bennie) Johnson; a sister, Maxine Francis; his mother, Luberta Johnson; and many other cousins, relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Gordon Johnson; and his sister, Marion (Charles) Sims. Private family services will be held. Cress Funeral Service Sanfillippo-Cress 6021 University Avenue Madison, Wis., 238-8406

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on December 8, 2002; submitted by Michael Vahldieck (Class of 1968)

Obituary: Ronald Lyle Moen

MADISON [Wisconsin] - Ronald Lyle Moen, age 59, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2002. He was born on Aug. 7, 1943, in Madison, the son of Giles and Iris Moen. Ronald attended special classes at Central High School. He earned the school letter C, as equipment manager to the team. He won three medals at Special Olympics. Ronald worked for the newspaper as a paperboy. He also worked for Soup Con, Bledje Pie Company, Lane's Bakery and he cleaned the beach at Tenney Park. Ronald was on Stan Bran's show twice. He last worked for R.E.M. Ronald admired police and firemen. Ronald is survived by his mother, Iris; his two sisters, Bonny Stendahl and Cythia Reed; three nieces, Olise, Heather and Amira; and two nephews, Derek and Stuart. He is further survived by six grand-nieces and a grand-nephew; and special friends, Julie Fuller and Dave and Timothy. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2002, at 10 a.m. at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, with the Rev. Calvin Harfst presiding. Entombment will follow in Roselawn Memorial Park. Friends may call on Saturday from 9 a.m. until the time of the services at the funeral home. Gunderson Funeral Home (608) 221-5420

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on December 6, 2002; submitted by Michael Vahldieck (Class of 1968)

Obituary: Ricky G. Lester

SOLDOTNA, ALASKA - Ricky G. Lester died Nov. 25, 2002, in Soldotna, Alaska. Rick was born Jan. 22, 1951, in Madison, the son of Bob and Betty Lester. After graduating from Central High, Rick served in Vietnam with the U.S. Air Force. While in the service, he developed his trade as a welder. Rick worked at Stainless Steel in Cottage Grove for many years as a welder and supervisor. Rick had a real talent as a skilled carpenter; he built his first home in Cottage Grove. Rick and his family moved to Soldotna in 1999, and built a beautiful log home. He also owned and operated The Twisted Root, where he made custom, unique wood/stick furnishing. His work was well known in the Alaska area. Rick loved the outdoors and the beauty of the country; he will be missed by all. Survivors include his wife, Donna; four children, Trina, Ryan, Shantelle and Jacob; his mother, Betty Lester of Iowa; and five siblings, Debbie (Bob) McIntosh, Randy (Barb) Lester, Cindy (Neal) Griffin, Chris (Clayton) Kramer, Kim (Carlos) Lerma, also many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Bob (Claire) Lester. Services will be held at MONONA EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, 4411 Monona Dr. Madison, lead by Pastor Pekari, on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2002. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m., memorial will be from 7 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

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