Obituary: Josephine Hirsig Martin

MADISON - Josephine Hirsig Martin, age 100, died peacefully Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2003, in her home in Maple Bluff. "Aunt Jo" was, born in Monroe, Nov. 24, 1902. The family moved to Madison in 1907. Jo attended Lincoln School, Madison High and, she graduated from University of Wisconsin, class of 1924. She received her master's degree in education from Columbia University. Married in 1929 to Guy Martin, she and Guy moved to Kenosha where they lived for a number of years. In 1944 they returned to Madison and took up residence in Maple Bluff. Her beloved Guy died in 1956. Jo lived her life with energy, intelligence and enthusiasm. She was an active member of the Maple Bluff Country Club, Attic Angels, Visiting Nurses, Tri Delta Sorority Alumnae Association, Bascom Hill Society, State Historical Library Society and the Madison Community Foundation. She was a generous supporter of the Madison Rotary Scholarship Foundation and many other charitable foundations. She is survived by her loving nephew, John L. Doyle, and his children, Colin, Patrick and Bryan Doyle, who live with their families in the San Francisco Bay area, and Tammie Doyle of Seattle, Wash. She was preceded in death by her husband, R. Guy Martin; her sister, Elizabeth Hirsig Doyle; and her parents, Louis and Marie Hirsig of Madison. There will be a memorial service Saturday, Oct. 25, 2003, at 11 a.m. at the CHRIST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 944 E. Gorham St., followed by reception at the Maple Bluff Country Club. In lieu of flowers the family suggests a memorial contribution to HospiceCare Inc. 5595 E. Cheryl Parkway, Madison, WI 53711

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on October 9, 2003

Obituary: Hilda Barash

MADISON - Hilda Barash, age 88, died on Monday, Sept. 15, 2003, in Madison. She was preceded in death by her husband, Abraham Barash, the well known deaf Madison shoe repairman who died 16 years ago in 1987. Hilda was born in Russia on April 1, 1915. She became deaf in early childhood from a childhood illness in Russia. In 1923, at age 7, she immigrated to the United States from Russia with her mother and two sisters, joining her father who had arrived seven years earlier. She was educated in lip reading at Doty Elementary School and continued her studies at Central High School, where she completed the tenth grade. She did not graduate, but instead met and married the love of her life, Abe Barash, also a deaf childhood immigrant to the United States from Russia. They met in 1934, were married at the Workman's Circle in Madison in 1935, and continued their life together in Madison for the next 52 years, raising two children, Eva and Harvey. Hilda was known by all to be a sunny, shining, presence filled only with bountiful love for all people and things. She was an excellent lip reader and made her way in the hearing world in spite of her hearing loss with remarkable ease. Before her children were born and after they had grown and left home, she was the primary link to the hearing world for her husband, Abe, who did not lip read well and who used American sign language as his primary source of communication. He received his education at the Wisconsin School for the Deaf in Delavan. Hilda learned and began to use sign after meeting Abe. She was a consummate cook and baker and prepared hundreds of large meals for family and friends through the years. She was known especially for her banana cream, lemon meringue, rhubarb, apple, cherry, and chocolate pies, pineapple upside-down cake, chocolate chip cookies, honey cake, poppy seed cake, cinnamon rolls, brownies, cheese blintzes, bread and much, much more. She was a fine seamstress and dress maker and in her early years made all of her own clothes, as well as clothing for her children and friends. She was the first deaf person in the state of Wisconsin to serve on jury duty, relying on a sign language interpreter to communicate the facts of the case and then deliberating with the other jury members regarding the verdict. She was a sweet, kind, loving and gracious human being and her family and friends will all miss her. She was a founding member of Beth Israel Center and a lifelong member of the Wisconsin Association of the Deaf, Madison Association of the Deaf, Happy 55 Club, and the Jewish Deaf Congress. She is survived by a daughter, Eve Dicker Eiseman (Bob), former head of the Interpreter Training Program at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee; a son, Dr. Harvey Barash (Trudy), clinical associate professor of orthopedic surgery at the University of Wisconsin-Madison; six grandchildren, Marcy Dicker Dropkin (David), Todd Dicker, Cantor David Barash (Susana), Dr. Jonathan Barash (Stacy), Dr. Joshua Barash (Devorah) and Daniel Barash (Mark); eight great-grandchildren, Ari, Abby, Tamar, Natan, Evelyn, Rafi, Abe and Eitan; her sister, Rebecca Nathenson; and her sister-in-law, Dr. Lucille Rosenberg (Jack). In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her father, Meyer Nathenson, who died in 1949; and her mother, Tillie Nathenson, who died in 1950. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2003, at 1 p.m. at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Road, will Rabbi Kenneth Katz officiating. Memorials may be made to Beth Israel Center Abraham Barash Fund for Handicapped Services, 1406 Mound St., Madison, WI, 53711; the Abraham Barash Memorial Scholarship Fund, care of Cott Harrison, treasurer, The Wisconsin Association of the Deaf, 2332 E. Kensington Blvd., Shorewood, WI 53211; or Hospice, 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Madison, WI, 53711., Cress Funeral Service 3610 Speedway Road (608) 238-3434

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on September 16, 2003

Obituary: Shuck Wing Joe - Class of 1935

MADISON - Shuck Wing Joe, age 87, died on Friday, Sept. 12, 2003. He was born in a small village near Canton, China on Sept. 6, 1916. Shuck graduated from Central High School in 1935, and continued his studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, majoring in music. While attending the UW he was a member of the music fraternity, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. Shuck served in, the Army Air Corp, from 1942 to 1945. He was a chef at the Dragon Restaurant, where he met Dolores Steele, whom he married June 24, 1948. With his brother, they opened the Ming Garden, which was located on the corner of State Street and Johnson Street, from 1949 to 1953. Shuck was also employed with United States Selective Service, joining the Air National Guard in 1953 until his retirement in 1976. He was a charter member of the Truax Longmire VFW Post 8483. He joined Hope Lutheran Church in 1956, where he served as a treasurer, a trustee, and on the building committee. Also he sang in the choir for more than 35 years. Shuck was a wonderful father and grandfather and the best of all husbands. He was truly a remarkable man. He is survived by his wife, Dolores; children, Janet Joe of California, Daniel (Mary) Joe of Cottage Grove, Deanna (Freddie Endres) Denman and David (Tracy) Joe, both of Madison; two grandchildren, Andrea and Maggie Denman; closest living relative, his niece, Kathy Fung; and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; four sisters; and a brother. Funeral services will be held at HOPE LUTHERAN CHURCH, 3702 County Trunk Highway AB, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2003, with the Rev. Chris Lee Thompson presiding. Burial will follow in Hope Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 15, 2003, and from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at the church on Tuesday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family for a memorial to be established. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith., II Timothy Chapter 4 verse 7 Gunderson East Funeral Home 5203 Monona Drive (608) 221-5420

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on September 14, 2003

Obituary: Shirley May (Rubado) Kalish - Class of 1947

DELAFIELD - Shirley May Kalish, 74, died Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2003, at her residence in Delafield.

She was born in Milwaukee on June 18, 1929, to Richard and Ruth (nee Kirby) RubadOn May 29, 1948, she married Benjamin Kalish.

Shirley was a devoted wife and mother. She was a member of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Stone Bank.

Shirley is survived by her husband, Benjamin; her children, Kathryn (Phillip Halcomb) Kalish of Manassas, Va., and Richard (Deborah) Kalish of Oconomowoc; and her grandchildren, Christopher Kalish of Grand Rapids, Mich., and Heather (Lance) Lake of Cooperville, Mich. She was preceded in death by her parents.

A memorial service will be held at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 17, at St. John's Evangelical Church in Stone Bank, with the Rev. M. Richard Druckrey officiating.

Memorials to the A.L.S. Association are appreciated.

The Schmidt & Bartelt Notbohm-Kreutzmann Funeral Home is assisting the family. For more information, call 567-4459.

Originally published in the Waukesha Freeman on September 12, 2003

Note: Shirley May Kalish's class year is based on information in the 1947 The Mirror yearbook, where her photograph is included among those of the graduating seniors.

Obituary: Clara Sinaiko Smith - Class of 1920

MADISON - Clara Sinaiko Smith, born March 13, 1902, as the youngest of four children of the late Samuel and Jennie Sinaiko, died Tuesday, Sep. 9, 2003, in Madison. She was married to Charles McHenry Smith on Dec. 14, 1948; he preceded her in death on Jan. 2, 1987. She was graduate of UW-Madison with a degree in journalism. Clara was initially a reporter for The Capital Times newspaper and then became associated with her family's business, Sinaiko Bros. Coal & Oil Co. Later, she operated Summit Real Estate Co. Inc. with her husband until his death. Clara is survived by a niece, Abigail (Josiah) Sand of San Diego, Calif.; several cousins; and many dear friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Charles McHenry Smith; her brother, Jacob Jay Sinaiko; and her sisters, Susan R. Sinaiko and Josephine (H.Z.) Mendow. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 12, 2003, at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison, with Rabbi Jan M. Brahms of Temple Beth El officiating. Burial will follow in Forest Hill Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Temple Beth El, 2702 Arbor Drive, Madison, WI 53711, or to the charity of the donor's choice., Cress Funeral Service 3610 Speedway Road (608) 238-3434

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on September 11, 2003

Note: Clara Sinaiko's class year is based on information in the 1917 Tychoberahn, which lists her as a member of the freshman class.

Obituary: Doris K (Morrison) Lynch - Class of 1936

STOUGHTON - Doris K. Lynch, age 85, of Stoughton, formerly of Madison, died on Monday, Sept. 1, 2003, at the Skaalen Sunset Home, Stoughton, following a long, debilitating struggle with osteoporosis. She was born on Nov. 11, 1917, in Verona, the daughter of Charles and Elizabeth (Marking) Morrison. She graduated from Central High School and lettered in athletics in 1936. She was a long time member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church. She had many hobbies and interests including playing cards, especially euchre and dirty clubs, camping, dancing, sewing, knitting, doll making and baking. She also was an avid Packers fan and loved following Tiger Woods. Friends and family eagerly waited every Christmas for nylon scrubbies that Doris made every year. The most important thing to her was her family, Family was her main priority and always came first. She married Edward Lynch on May 23, 1940 at St. Bernard's Catholic Church. In addition to her husband, Ed, she is survived by six children, Pat (Jennifer) Lynch of Fairbanks, Alaska, Dan (Carla) Lynch of Madison, Tim Lynch of Anchorage, Alaska, Mick (Judy) Lynch of Fairbanks, Alaska, Peggy (Glenn) McCullough of Stoughton, and Larry (Lynn) Lynch of Madison; 12 grandchildren who she was very proud of and never missed an important day with them, Jason, Dinah, Dan, Beth, Jeff, Kelly, Ryan, Sean, Cory, Tony, Paul and Meghan; seven great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She is also survived by a dear friend since the third grade, Ethel Hermanson. She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Cyril and Roger Morrison; a sister, Bernice Heiman; and a dear friend, Helen Hermanson. Funeral services will be held at ST. PATRICK'S CATHOLIC CHURCH, 404 E. Main St., on Friday, Sept. 5, 2003, at 10:30 a.m. Father William Seipp will officiate. Burial will be held at the Resurrection Cemetery. Friends may call at RYAN FUNERAL HOME 2418 N. Sherman Ave. on Thursday, Sept. 4, 2003, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. and again at the church on Friday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Edgewood High School or St. Jude's Children Hospital. Ryan Funeral Home 2418 N. Sherman Ave. (608) 249-8257

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on September 3, 2003

Obituary: Lela "Lee" (Ackley) Poster - Class of 1947

MADISON - Lela "Lee" (Ackley) Poster, age 74, of Madison, died on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2003, at home. She was born on Jan. 22, 1929, at St. Marys Hospital to Lyle and Ida Ackley. She graduated from Central High School in 1947, where her main interest was music, playing clarinet in the school band for six years. Lela married Melvin A. Poster in 1950. She was a member of St. Bernard's Catholic Church and sang in the choir for 25 years. She worked out of her house as a seamstress, and made and sold many clothes for Barbie and Ken dolls in the 1960s, which she won many awards for. She babysat for most of her grandchildren and some of her children's friends' children, including Sara, Corey, Julian and Zuri, who all called her grandma. She is survived by her seven children,, Skip (Nance) Poster of Portage, Kitty (Tony) Mazzara of Madison, Susan (Chuck) Clover of Waupun, Terry (Sue) Poster of Sturgeon Bay, Mary Kaye Poster of Portage, John Poster of Madison, and Jayme (Dana) Poster of Madison; 15 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Melvin; her parents;, and granddaughter, Melody. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 29, 2003, at ST. BERNARD'S CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2450 Atwood Ave., with Monsignor Michael Hippee and Father Jay Poster officiating. Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until the time of service at the church on Friday. The family would like to extend a special thanks to her son-in-law, Tony Mazzara, for holding her hand many nights throughout her last days; to Peggy Weber for all of her support; to the wonderful staff at HospiceCare and to Father Jay Poster for giving Lela her last rights. Ryan Funeral Home 2418 N. Sherman Ave. (608) 249-8257

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on August 27, 2003

Obituary: John I. "Sam" Montalto

MADISON - John I. "Sam" Montalto, age 81, passed away on Monday, Aug. 18, 2003, at Four Winds Nursing Home in Verona, with his children at his side. He was born on June 18, 1922, at Madison and he had been a Madison resident all his life. He attended Central High School and served in the Army during World War II. He was employed by Ohmeda for 40 years, retiring in 1986. John is survived by two sons, John Jr. and Jeff; six daughters, Kathryn Phillips, Veronica (Larry) Ostermeyer, Rita Cattell, Diana Carpenter-Krause, Jenifer (Jim) Parisi, and Juliene (Scott) Meeker; eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; two brothers, Joe and Paul; and four sisters, Frances, Mary, Rosie and Carm. He was preceded in death by two sons-in-law, Steve Carpenter and Ron Krause. A memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2003, at 11 a.m. at ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC CHURCH, 1905 W. Beltline Highway, Madison, with Father Todd Van Natta officiating. Friends may call from 9 a.m. until the time of service at the church. A special thanks to cousin, Ernie Tusa, the staff at HospiceCare and Four Winds Nursing Home. Cress Funeral Service 6021 University Ave. (608) 238-8406

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on August 20, 2003

Obituary: Florence (Cunningham) Kinney - Class of 1929

MADISON - Florence E. Kinney, age 92, died peacefully on Aug. 12, 2003, after patiently living with Alzheimer's disease for the past five years. She was born in Madison on July 16, 1911, to William and Mary Cunningham. She was married to William R. (Bill) Kinney on July 30, 1938, at St. Raphael's Cathedral, Madison. By her example, Florence taught her family and friends to be more caring people. She was a member of St. Bernard's Parish for 59 years, attended daily Mass, and was active in many activities: taking Eucharist to the homebound, working at the school hot lunch program, ladies bazaars, Halloween parties, the Over 50 Club, and card parties. She will be greatly missed by her family and many friends. She was always there for her friends who could no longer drive, taking them shopping and to their doctor appointments Over the years, Florence had many other interests: following her son's and grandchildren's sports, Braves games, Ho-Chunk, the theater, card playing, dancing, golf, bowling, garage sales, the Lawrence Welk Show, crocheting, cooking, and baking, especially birthday cakes. She was a great Mom to her three sons, David (Teri) and Fred (Marilyn), both of Madison, and Patrick (Mary) of Greendale. She was very devoted to her nine grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. Her grandchildren are Steve (Anne) Kinney, Jill (Dave) Yanke, Tim (Bonnie) Kinney, Tom (Carla) Kinney, Sue (Jim) Ellestad, Sandi (John) Williams, Stacy Kinney, Cori (Steve) Bjorkland and Aric (Courtney) Kinney. Her great-grandchildren are Ben, Sam, Peter and Joey Yanke, Kyle and Kayla Kinney, Nathan Hocking, Cora and Elle Kinney, Shane and Josh Wilkinson, Brandon Ellestad, Cole Williams, Annika and Jack Bjorkland, and Hannah Kinney. She is also survived by her brother- and sister-in-law, Joe and Dorothy Kinney of San Antonio, Texas; and sisters-in-law, Hildegard Kinney of Madison, and Helen Kinney of Monona. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her sisters, Helen, Aleatha and Jesse; and her brothers, Eugene, Jim and Fred. Funeral services will be held at ST. BERNARD'S CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2450 Atwood Ave., on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2003, at 10 a.m. Monsignor Michael Hippee will officiate. Friends may call at the church from 8:30 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday. Burial will be held at the Resurrection Cemetery. Memorials can be made to the Alzheimer's Association or St Bernard's Parish, Madison. Special thanks to Dr. Bill Rock and Dr. Jeff Wood for their compassionate care over the years. Thanks also to the staff members at Evora Lodge, Homestead Living and Oakwood Village for the fine care that Florence received. The loving and caring staff at Oakwood Knoll have been a special source of support for our Mom and the rest of the family. We are grateful for the many ways you all added to her quality of life during the past few years. She lived according to this prayer she had on her wall: "Dear God, Thank you for what I have. Please help me to do the best that I can, and accept whatever happens as your will." Her life has been one of support and service to her family and friends. Now we rejoice that she is resting in the loving arms of our Lord, and reunited with Bill in Heaven., Ryan Funeral Home 2418 N. Sherman Ave. (608) 249-8257

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on August 15, 2003

Florence Cunningham's class year is based on information in the 1929 Tychoberahn, where she is listed among the members of the June graduating class.

Obituary: Robert G. Snell

MADISON - So many time we use and hear analogies comparing life to sports. Words like courage, strength, and loyalty are used many times in both sports and life. But Robert G. Snell - more affectionately known as Grandpa Bob, Bubba, Bobby and Mustang Snelly, took these words he heard during his career of football and actually lived them along the way. Born on March 4, 1949, in Madison, as the youngest of seven children, Bob spent the first quarter of his life playing football. Bob played football at Central High School in Madison, continued at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, then played for the semi-professional team, the Madison Mustangs, and even continued his love by playing on a championship touch football team. It was during this time that Bob developed strong bonds with friends, bonds that would continue throughout his lifetime and beyond. During the second quarter of his life, Bob took all the values he had learned and applied them to his life while raising his sons, Jim, Chad and Bret, and eventually his grandchildren, Jessica, Parker and Tag. His relationship with his children, grandchildren, mates, brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews, friends, and coworkers was one of continual love, hard work, commitment, and loyalty. During the third quarter of Bob's life, he took everything he loved and learned from football and gave it back to his other love, children. Bob always felt the need to give something back, that was important in his life. Bob took his love for kids, football and socializing and put it all together in one program, and that was the St. Francis Youth Football Program. Through this program, Bob impacted the lives of many children and young adults as he coached them not only about football, but about life. Unfortunately, Bob's fourth quarter ended early when he died on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2003, after battling a long illness. He will be joining his mom and dad, Irene and Maurice. Bob, however, lived his philosophy of life to the end - his strength, character, courage and loyalty to loved ones kept him in the game and always will. You can join Bob's family and friends in celebrating the memory of his life on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2003, at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Road, in Madison. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to noon, with a memorial service from noon until 1 p.m., and a luncheon will follow.

Bob Snell's class year is based on information in the 1967 Tychoberahn, where he is listed among the members of the June graduating class.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on August 14, 2003