Monday, March 28, 2005

Obituary: Albert Smith

MONTREAL - Albert Smith, age 66, passed away on Saturday, March 19, 2005, in Montreal, Canada. He was born on Jan. 20, 1939, in Madison, to Albert and Marion Smith. Albert was born and raised in Madison where he attended Longfellow Elementary and Madison Central High schools. He was an outstanding high school athlete where he participated in football, basketball and baseball. He was named to several All-City teams in these activities. He later attended UW-Madison. Mr. Smith worked in Manhattan for the city of New York City Human/Social Services Department as a social work supervisor. He later retired and moved to Montreal, Canada. Albert leaves to mourn his son, Albert Smith Jr. of Los Angeles, Calif.; his first wife, Ethel Smith of New York City; his niece, Anita of Chicago, Ill.; nephew, Elgin Smith; cousins, Martha Scott Collins; and special friends, Katherine Simmons of Madison, Dr. Richard (Maxine) Harris of Madison, Wilfred (Beverly) Cunningham of Jackson, Miss., and Claire Poliquin of Three Rivers, Quebec, Canada. He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Marion Smith; his brother, Floyd; and sister, Mabel. The funeral service will be held at noon on Thursday, March 31, 2005, at CRESS FUNERAL SERVICE, 6021 University Ave., Madison. Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. until the time of service. The Rev. Gregory Armstrong, Pastor of S.S. Morris AME Church will officiate. Albert will be dearly missed by all. Cress Funeral & Cremation Service 6021 University Ave. (608) 238-8406

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on March 28, 2005

Tuesday, March 22, 2005

Obituary: Josephine (DeGregory) Elliott

MADISON - Josephine Jane Elliott, age 80, of Madison, lost her battle with cancer on Saturday, March 19, 2005. She was born in Madison on Feb. 20, 1925, the daughter of Bernard and Sarah (Brashi) DeGregory. She grew-up in the Greenbush Neighborhood and graduated from Madison Central High. She worked for AT&T as a telephone operator until she married. For many years she struggled with her husband's alcoholism and manic depression. After they divorced, she returned to the telephone company as an operator. Jo was always there for her children. She lost her younger brother, Anthony DeGregory, in a drowning accident at the Tenney Locks in 1950. She missed him very much. In the early 1970s she was baptized as one of Jehovah's Witnesses. For years, Jo weekly sent letters to those who had lost loved ones in death to help console and encourage them. Although her life was difficult, she would always reach out to help others if they needed her. Her faith taught her the resurrection for most people would be an earthly resurrection and she looked forward to that. She is survived by a son, Larry Elliott, Madison; and a daughter, Toni Johnson. At her request, services will be private, with burial in Roselawn Memorial Gardens, Madison. For those that would like to console the family, they can send cards to the family in care of Larry Elliott, 591 Toepfer Drive, Madison, WI 53711. "Losing a loved one" One thing is very clear. It's like my loved one just disappeared. There are no words to really explain. The loss, the grief, the overwhelming pain. You stand there saying your goodbyes and then, you wonder, "Will I ever see you again?" They say in time the grief will ease, and that youre left with memories. I may ease into this against my will, but what I really want is to hug you still. Then I recall what John 11:43 was about. When Jesus called to dead Lazarus, "Come out!" Out of the tomb he slowly came. His sisters joy they could hardly contain. Also Luke 8 says a couple lost their daughter. After Jesus raised her, she was given food and water. Jesus wants to resurrect all those who are dead. This is what John 5:28 truly says. He says all in the memorial tombs will come out. Just like Lazarus did, I don't doubt. So, if youve lost a brother, mother or friend. There is a good chance you'll see them again. All Faiths Funeral & Cremation Services Madison (608) 442-0477

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on March 22, 2005

Monday, March 21, 2005

Obituary: Hermina (Fritz) Brown

MADISON - Hermina Lea Brown, age 96, of Elgin, Ill., formerly of Madison, passed away Saturday, March 19, 2005, at ManorCare Health Services, Elgin. She was born June 8, 1908, in Joliet, the daughter of John and Julia Hartwig Fritz. She was a graduate of Central High School in Madison and upon graduation attended nursing school at Madison General Hospital. She served as a Red Cross nurse during World War II. She had been a resident of Madison for all of her life before moving to Elgin in 1990. She was a member of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Madison and was active with the church Altar Guild. She gave instructions in knitting and crafts at Bethel XYZ Center in Madison. She attended St. James Episcopal Church, West Dundee, Ill. Surviving are her son, William (Donna) Lea of Elgin; four grandchildren, Barbara (Mark) Mugerditchian, Mark Lea, Robert Lea and Michael Lea; and three great-grandchildren, Megan and Kelly Mugerditchian and Jennifer Lea. She was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, William Lea; her second husband, Leslie Brown; a son, Robert Lea; grandson, William Lea; and a sister, Juliana Sullivan. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, March 22, 2005, at ST. JAMES EPISCOPAL CHURCH, West Dundee. Graveside services will be held Wednesday, March 23, 2005, at 11:30 a.m. at Forest Hill Cemetery, Madison, Wis. Visitation will be held Tuesday from 9 a.m. until the time of services at the church. Memorials may be given to the American Red Cross. Laird Funeral Home, Elgin, is in charge of arrangements.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on March 21, 2005

Friday, March 04, 2005

Obituary: Arthur W. Miller - Class of 1940

MONONA - Arthur W. Miller, age 81, of Monona, passed away peacefully at his home, on Monday, Feb. 28, 2005. He was born on May 3, 1923, in Madison, to Jacob and Sarah (Tartakowsky) Miller, both emigrants from Russia. Art was raised in Madison's Greenbush neighborhood, and graduated from Madison Central High School in 1940. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army with the Battery D of the 500th A.A.A. Gun Battalion stationed in Greenland. Upon his return, Art held various jobs before becoming a salesman for local car dealerships including Schappe, Lou Ehlers, Zimbrick Buick and Ahrens Cadillac-Olds, garnering many awards over the years for his salesmanship and integrity. On Dec. 31, 1958, he married Nancy Jean Adkison of Madison, and soon settled in Monona and raised a family. A lifetime member of the local Elks Club, Art enjoyed watching and attending Packers games, boating on Madison lakes, playing cards with the old Greenbush gang, and taking his family on yearly vacations in northern Wisconsin. In later years, he and Nancy enjoyed trips to Las Vegas, Fort Lauderdale, and a Caribbean cruise with their daughter and her husband. A lifelong backer of Badgers sports teams, Art and Nancy also traveled to Pasadena for the 1994 Badgers victory at the Rose Bowl. He is survived by his wife, Nancy; three children, Randy (Linda) Miller of Lodi, David (Monica Piper) Miller of Madison, and Marcy (Jon) Brandt of Rochester, Minn.; seven grandchildren, Nicole, Tyler, Cassandra, Oona, Otto, Dana and Matthew; a sister, Edythe (Nate) Victor of Minneapolis, Minn.; a sister-in-law, Alyce Adkison; two brothers-in-law, Merle Freiman and Don (Carolyn) Doran; and many nieces and nephews. Art was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Edward (Shirley) of Milwaukee, Marty (Beverly) of Waunakee, and Marvin (Bea) of Simi Valley, Calif.; and a sister, Cele (Harry) Kadwit of Kenosha. Funeral services will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, at 10 a.m. on Monday, March 7, 2005. Burial will be at Roselawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be at the funeral home from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. on Sunday, March 6, 2005. Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Center (608) 221-5420

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on March 4, 2005

Wednesday, March 02, 2005

Obituary: Sara Jane (Jones) Tuttle

MADISON - Sara Jane Tuttle died on Monday, Feb. 28, 2005. Born Sara Jane Jones on March 18, 1913, to William Caradine Jones and Ida Mary White in Madison, she was raised in the First United Methodist Church in Madison, singing in the choir and teaching Sunday school. She graduated from Central High school. She met and married Selwyn R. "Tut" Tuttle on Nov. 8, 1933. They celebrated 67 years of marriage. She worked at Sears and later became the office manager for S&H Green Stamps in the Madison office. An active member of Christ Presbyterian Church for more than 50 years, she helped serve many lunches and dinners for various functions held there. She was also a member of a very special sewing club. Sara and Tut played sports with a couples team at church and the YMCA. They loved square dancing. They enjoyed the outdoors, picnicking and camping, and loved to travel, taking their children to visit most all of the contiguous 48 states by car, camping much of the time. After their retirement they continued their travels, including touring the British Isles and Hawaii. Sara was active as a leader of Brownies and Girl Scouts, as well as serving as mother advisor of the Rainbow Girls. She was awarded the Grand Cross of Color for her many years of service to the Rainbow Girls. She was also a member of the Masonic Order of the Eastern Star and White Shrine. She was a member of a very special sewing club. Sara and Tut raised four children. She is survived by her children, Bonnie J. Downs (Dr. David), Dodgeville, Thomas L. Tuttle, Madison, Jane Ann Marquard (Robert), Brooklyn Park, Minn., and Margaret (Peggy) Louise Halverson (Bruce), Iron Mountain, Mich.; 11 grandchildren, Steven Downs; Lynn (Tom) Ihlenfeldt, Peter (Kathy) Downs, Alan (Cindy) Downs, Kyle (Kelly) and Brett (Jenna) Marquard, John and Mark Halverson, Heather (Jarrod) Roll, and Jeffrey and Pam Tuttle; and six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; and her husband, Selwyn "Tut" Tuttle. A celebration of her life will be held in the chapel at HEBRON HALL Friday, March 4, 2005, at 11 a.m. Her family wishes to thank the staff at Hebron Oaks in Oakwood Village where she has been a resident for several years. She always received kind, loving care there. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be made to Oakwood Village Retirement Center, the Oakwood Foundation; Christ Presbyterian Church, Madison; or First United Methodist Church, Madison. Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Services 2418 N. Sherman Ave. (608) 249-8257

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on March 2, 2005