Obituary: James C. "Porkchop" Evans - Class of 1956

LODI - After a courageous battle with cancer, we lost a special man, James C. "Porkchop" Evans, on Saturday, March 27, 2010.

Dad graduated in 1956, from Central High School in Madison. After graduation he served, with great pride, in the U.S. Marine Corps. He worked for 18 years at Datex Ohmeda and retired in 2000. Dad loved car shows and was known as the "El Camino guy" by his friends at the many car shows he and mom frequented. Dad especially loved the hunt for the next El Camino and made many new friends in the process. Dad was blessed with a quick wit and an even quicker tongue. Most everyone he knew "earned" a nickname, like it or not.

Dad was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Martha. He is survived by his loving wife of 31 years, Linda; his brother, Bob (Diane) and their daughter, Susan; his sister, Mary Ann (John) and their three sons, Sean, Danny and Patrick; his special mother-in-law, Grandma Bea; his daughter, Sue (Calvin); his son, Jerald (Amanda); his son, Cameron (Hope); his grandchildren, Lindsey, Dayna, Autumn, Spike, Allison, Landon, Joshua and Kaeleb; his many brothers and sisters-in-law; as well as several nieces and nephews.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to his many close friends and relatives that visited often and to the people of Home Health United Hospice who made Dad's final days comfortable. It was a great honor and privilege to have him as our father. He will always be mom's soul mate. We will always love you dearly.

Friends and family that wish to pay their condolences to the family may do so at the HAMRE FUNERAL HOME in Lodi, on Wednesday, March 31, 2010, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m.

"Semper Fi"

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on March 30, 2010

Obituary: Bonnie Marie (Schaub) Hocking - Class of 1956

MADISON - Bonnie Marie Hocking, age 69, died on Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2008, at HospiceCare. She was born Nov. 3, 1938, in Madison, the daughter of George and Jane (Doran) Schaub. She was a lifetime member of St. James Catholic Church and attended grade school there. She graduated from Central High School in 1956. Bonnie married Gordon Hocking in 1956. Bonnie was very proud of her grandchildren. Bonnie worked tirelessly catering for Ella's Deli and as an owner of Ella's with the love of her life Gordy. Bonnie was also a devoted employee of Dean Medical until her illness this year. Survivors include three daughters, Georgia (Bob) Clifford, Mary Lou (Dale) Rogers and Bobbette (Rod Keller) Hocking, all of Madison; seven grandchildren, Tina (Jennifer), Brian and Bonnie Rogers, Tonja (Jeff) St. Arnauld, Gordon (Michele), Audrey Clifford, Nathan Hocking and Ethan Carlson; a great-grandchild, Ava; a brother, Paul (Margaret) Schaub; two sisters, June (Peter) Sturgis and Doran (Ron) Holl; a special aunt, Audrey; nieces and nephews; and several cousins and friends. Bonnie was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Gordy; an infant daughter, Audrey; and a sister, Betsy Alt. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. JAMES CATHOLIC CHURCH, 1134 St. James Court, Madison, on Friday, Oct. 10, 2008, at 11 a.m. Monsignor Thomas Baxter will officiate with burial in Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery. Friends and relatives may call after 9:30 a.m. on Friday, at the Church until the time of services on Friday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family or HospiceCare. "Bonnie will always be remembered for her generous heart and helping hand." Joyce-Ryan Funeral Home and Cremation Services 5701 Odana Road (608) 274-1000

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on October 9, 2008

Obituary: Judith (Myers) Behrend - Class of 1956

MADISON - Judy Behrend, age 69, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 10, 2008. She was born Judith Marilyn Myers on July 21, 1938. A lifelong resident of Madison, growing up around the Vilas Zoo area, she was a 1956 graduate of Central High School. At 17, she quickly attained a position with the Air Force at Truax Field. In a forty year career as a civil servant, she started as a supply clerk and retired as the management assistant to the Deputy Adjutant General of the Wisconsin National Guard. Her position brought excitement and a great sense of accomplishment, traveling around this country in military aircrafts and riding in tanks and armored personnel carriers. Judy's career was highlighted with numerous honors, including the Minuteman Award, presented to her at the Pentagon. As dedicated as she was to her job, nothing brought as much pride to her heart as her family. After marrying her high school sweetheart, Phil Behrend, their son Marc was born. Thus begun a long love affair with hockey. Judy was a proud mom and a faithful fan in the seats as Marc played for the Wisconsin Badgers, the USA Olympic team in 1984 at Sarajavo, Yugoslavia and the NHL's Winnipeg Jets of Canada. And it only got better when her son became a sixth generation firefighter for the Madison Fire Department. But, her biggest reward in life came in the form of her two beloved grandchildren, granddaughter Krista and grandson, Eric. She was a loving mother and an even more loving grandma. In a perfect world for Judy, everyday would have been Christmas. Instead, she went to a better world. She will be greatly missed by the family who loved her and all those who knew her. Judy is survived by her son, Marc Behrend; granddaughter, Krista Behrend; grandson, Eric Behren; her father, Dale Myers; two sisters, Shirley Ryan and Lynda (Marc) McCarville; a brother, Garry (Sue) Myers; nieces, Kathy (Mike) Anderson and Lori (Joe) Hewitt; nephews, Paul (Tammy) Ryan, Dennis (Pam) Ryan, Tom (Robin) Ryan, Dale Ryan, Shadd Weiss, and Dustin Weiss; 13 great-nieces and nephews; and her two very special little girls, Natalie and Paige. She was preceded in death by her mother, Marilyn Fisher; and her brother-in-law, Paul Ryan. Funeral services will be held on Friday, June 13, 2008, at RYAN FUNERAL HOME, 2418 N. Sherman Ave., Madison, at 7 p.m., with Father Roger Nilles officiating. A visitation will be held at the funeral home on Friday from 5 p.m. until the time of services. Burial will be held at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery. Ryan Funeral Home and Cremation Services 2418 N. Sherman Ave. (608) 249-8257

Obituary: Delores "Dee" (Launder) Starkey Class of 1956

MADISON - Delores "Dee" Starkey, age 64, of Madison, died on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2003, at her home, due to breast cancer. She was born on Sept. 7, 1938, in Madison, to Arnold and Agnes Launder. Dee graduated from Madison Central High School in 1956. She married Ronald Starkey on April 12, 1956. Dee was a devoted mother and grandmother. She was an avid sports fan and enjoyed birds, arts and crafts. Dee is survived by her husband, Ron of Madison; five children, Cindy Starkey, Kathy (Joe) Waite, Laura (David) Laundrie, Tanya (Jim) Zempel and Ronnie Starkey; eight grandchildren, Sheena and Cody Starkey, Patrick and Kallie Waite, Tyler and Sara Kaech, and Courtney and Riley Zempel; two brothers, Dick Launder and Bob (Pat) Launder; and many nieces and nephews, including a special niece, Susie "Bean" Launder. She was preceded in death by her parents. Funeral services will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 24, 2003, with Father Tony Schumacher presiding. Burial will be in Highland Memory Gardens. Visitation will be at the funeral home from 11 a.m. until the time of the service. A special thanks to Dr. Dan Barry, Dr. William Rock, Dawn Hennesly and the Hospice staff, especially Linda, Mary and Jennifer., May the roads rise up, to meet you May the wind be always, at your back May the sunshine, warm your face And until we meet again, May God hold you, in the palm of His hand. "Grandma, you were the best Grandma anyone could ever have. We are lucky to have had you in our lives. You will always live on in our hearts. Love, your grandchildren. Gunderson East Funeral Home (608) 221-5420

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on January 23, 2003