Obituary: Joe Reda - Class of 1957

BARABOO/ WACO, TEXAS - Joe Reda, age 66, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, Jan. 20, 2006, in Baraboo. Joe was born on April 7, 1939, in Madison, son of Charles "Pasquale" and Pearl (Johnson) Reda. He was a 1957 graduate of Central High School, Madison, and served in the U.S. Air Force for eight years in Anchorage, Alaska, and later, at James Connally Air Force Base, Waco, Texas. Joe was a sheet metal contractor and member of the Sheet Metal Laborers Union, Local No. 18 until his retirement in 2001. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and most of all, loved time spent with his family and friends. He is survived by daughters, Kim (Jim) Trumm of Gays Mills, Rhonda Reda of Dallas, Texas, Lisa (Steve) Veronie of Murphy, Texas, Dianna Duffey of Waco, Texas, and Cindy (Gene) Sams of Waco, TX; eight grandchildren, two great-grandchildren; three sisters, Joyce (Bud) Bock of Williamsburg, Va., Pat Olsen of Neenah, and Vickie Reda of Pocahontas, Ark.; a brother, Pasquale Reda of Sun Prairie; and many special aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; and a son, Richard. A celebration of his life and times will be held on Friday, Jan. 27, 2006, from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. at the V.F.W. HALL, 133 Lakeside Drive, Madison. "Dad, you will never be forgotten. We love you and will miss you." Rago-Baldwin Funeral Home 520 East St., Baraboo (608) 356-4656

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on January 24, 2006

Obituary: Lorna Doone (Jackson) Borgwardt - Class of 1944

HARLINGEN, TEXAS/ MADISON - Lorna Doone Borgwardt, age 79, died on Friday, Dec. 30, 2005, at Valley Baptist Hospital, Harlingen, Texas, as a result of an emergency surgery. She was born Dec. 9, 1926, in Madison, the daughter of Christine (Pridat) and Ernest Jackson. She is survived by her husband of 59 years, Harvey Borgwardt, now living with his daughter in Madison; her son, Heath Borgwardt of Maryland; her daughter, Ronna (Rick) Trapanese of Madison; and two grandsons, Dominic and Anthony. She also leaves behind many, many dear and wonderful friends; they were very precious to her. Lorna was an avid painter, sculptor and carver. She went to Central High School. She taught adult painting at Madison Area Technical College and University Extension and won numerous awards around the country for her beautiful artwork. Lorna had great faith and knew that someday she would be in the arms of her savior again. We picture her surrounded with butterflies and hummingbirds and angels all around her in the Lord's garden. We also imagine she will still be painting, no longer in pain, but free to explore her new world with a joyous heart. "I lift up my eyes to the hills-from where will my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth." Psalm121:1-2. A memorial service was held in Harlingen Texas, Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2006. Memorials may be made to Unity Church of Madison Chimes Choir, 601 Thompkins Road, Madison, WI 53716.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on January 16, 2006

Note: Lorna Doone (Jackson) Borgwardt's class year is based on information in the 1944 editon of The Mirror Magazine, which served as the Madison Central High School yearbook during World War II.

Obituary: William Howard "Bill" Best - Class of 1953

MADISON - William Howard "Bill" Best, age 71, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, Jan. 9, 2006, surrounded by his family. He was born on May 24, 1934, in Beaver Dam, to Howard and Dorothy (Gordon) Best. Bill graduated from Madison Central High School in 1953. He served his country in the U.S. Army. After graduation from the police academy Bill began a long career in law enforcement. He worked as a police officer for the town of Blooming Grove, town of Middleton and town of Madison. Bill then owned and operated Tri-State Security. He was united in marriage to the love of his life, Pat, in 1976. In 1982, he ran for sheriff in Dane county. After the election, Bill and his wife, Patricia, started Civil Process and Private Investigations. For the past 20 years, he and Pat worked side by side to create Best Civil Process. Bill was an active lifetime member of the Madison Elks Lodge No. 410 and served on many committees. He was also a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church and East Side Business Men's Association. Bill especially loved spending time with his family. He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Patricia; a daughter, Deborah Best of Eau Claire; and her mother, Gerrie Blankshein of Sauk City; children, John (Jessie) Munz of Eagle River, Tom (Shawn) Munz of Monona, Sherry (Steve) Boyle of Madison, Bill (Kathy) Munz of Sun Prairie and Steve (DeAnn) Munz of Cottage Grove; grandchildren, Robert, Jennifer, Julie, Kelly, Jill, Katie, Michael, Joe, Adrianne, Niki, Hailey and Jacob; a great-grandson, Miles; a sister, Betty (Don) Meurer of Milwaukee; and brother-in-law, Jack (Mary) Sprague. Bill was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Robert Munz; a granddaughter, Ashly Munz; a sister, Beverly J. Best; and a special grandmother, Grandma Gordon. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH, 5101 Schofield Street, Monona, at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 13, 2006, with Father John Meinholz presiding. Burial will be at Roselawn Memorial Park with military rites conducted. Visitation will be at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m., with a prayer service and Elks service at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2006, and at the church from 10:30 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Bill's name to the US Bank, 4602 East Towne Blvd., Madison, WI 53704. A special thank you to Dr. Gilbert, Dr. Frontiera, Dr. Ahrens, and all the loving staff at the Dean Clinics and St. Marys Hospital. "I Am Always With You" To those I love and those who love me. When I am gone, release me, let me go. I have so many things to see and do. You must not tie yourself to me with tears. Be happy that we had so many years. I gave you my love, you can only guess, how much you gave me in happiness. I thank you for the love you each have shown. But now its time I travel on alone. So grieve awhile for me, if grieve you must, then let your grief be comforted by trust. It's only for awhile that we must part. So bless the memories within your heart. I won't be far away, call and I will come. Though you can't see or touch me, I'll be near. And if you listen with your heart, you'll hear all of my love around you soft and clear. And then, when you must come this way alone, I'll greet you with a smile and "Welcome home." "Bill, we love you, rest in peace." Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Centers 5203 Monona Drive (608) 221-5420

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on January 11, 2006

Obituary: Ruth Sinaiko Max - Class of 1929

MADISON - Ruth Sinaiko Max, age 91, died on Thursday, Dec. 26, 2002. In 1996, Ruth moved to Newton, Mass., from her home, Madison, to be near her daughter. She moved in 1999 to the Beaumont Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Natick, Mass., where she was a resident at the time of her death. Born on Oct. 31, 1911, in Madison, Ruth was the second of six daughters of Pauline and William Sinaiko. Ruth graduated from high school in Madison and attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In 1941, she married Oscar Max of Sheboygan, who died in 1976. In the 1950s, Ruth became one of the first women in Madison to get a real estate sales license. For many years she worked with Jack McKenna, a well-known local real estate developer and broker. Later, she was a salesperson at Woldenberg's, an exclusive women's clothing store. Ruth always had a knack for finding what genuinely suited people. All her life, Ruth was known for her warmth, integrity, vivaciousness and generosity towards family and friends. She was an accomplished cook and, hostess and along with her husband, Oscar, loved giving dinner parties. When her children were young, Ruth was president of the Dudgeon School PTA and was active in local Jewish organizations and the Red Cross. After her husband's death, Ruth continued to be actively involved with family and friends and work part-time. Although Ruth moved to the Boston area too late in life to ever feel really "at home," she enjoyed being close to her daughter and Boston area family and friends as well as attending local cultural and musical activities. She is survived by her daughter, Deborah Max Reisman, and son-in-law, Joel Reisman, of Newton, Mass.; her son, Michael Max, and daughter-in-law, Eleanor, of Washington, D.C.; granddaughter, Rachel Max of Washington, D.C.; her sisters, Beatrice Marlowe of West Palm Beach, Fla., Lois Webb of Clear Lake, Texas, and Jeanne Seltzer of Royal Palm Beach, Fla. A graveside service will be held on Sunday May 11, 2003, at FOREST HILL CEMETERY, 1 Speedway Road, Madison, at 1 p.m. Please gather at CRESS FUNERAL HOME beginning at 12:30 p.m. A, reception will follow at Temple Beth Israel, Mound Street, Madison. Donations in the memory of Ruth Max may be made to Friends of JCHE (Jewish Community Housing for the Elderly), 30 Wallingford Road, Brighton, MA 02135, or the charity of one's choice. Cress Funeral Service 3610 Speedway Road (608) 238-3434

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on May 4, 2003

Note: Ruth Sinaiko Max's class year is based on information in the 1929 Tychoberahn, where she is pictured among the June graduates.

THIS IS A WORK IN PROGRESS

This blog is serving as an archive for obituaries published after 1989 of women and men who attended Madison Central High School. As of today, the only entries are of obituaries published in Madison, Baraboo, or Portage newspapers during 2005 in which the text specifically indicates that the deceased attended Central. If you know of other Central alumni who died during 2005 and whose obituaries are not included here, please contact me by email and let me know when and where the obituary was published.

You may certainly browse the entries on this blog, but links to all the obituaries posted here will also be listed on the primary blog for Madison Central High School alumni. The URL for that primary blog is http://madisonchshhistory.blogspot.com/

As I locate additional obituaries, I will post them here and notify you of the updated information via the primary blog.

How These Obituaries Are Organized

The obituaries in this blog are organized chronologically: the most recently published obituary is at the top of the page. Only obituaries from 1990 to the present are archived here, due to space and formatting limitations.

For obituaries prior to 1990, please use the link on the right.

Obituaries for members of the Class of 1965 are also archived separately on that class blog. Please use the link on the right to access and search the Class of 1965 obituaries.

Obituary: Margaret Mary (Wardle) Swiggum - Class of 1964

BLANCHARDVILLE - Margaret Mary Swiggum, age 59, of Blanchardville, died on Thursday, Dec. 22, 2005, at the home of her sister, in Sauk City. She was born on Sept. 9, 1946, in Madison, to Jack and Mary (Maloney) Wardle. She grew up in Madison, attending the St. James Catholic School, Madison, and Central High School, Madison, graduating in 1964. She worked at St. Marys Hospital, Madison, in the dietary department, then Madison General Hospital, and then back to St. Marys Hospital. Margaret was married on June 15, 1972, at the Blanchardville Lutheran Church Parsonage to Dennis Swiggum. She lived and worked on the Swiggum farm with Dennis until they were divorced in 1991. She worked at Argyle Industries from November 1992 until they closed in September 2002. Margaret enjoyed horseback riding, country music and playing outside with her grandchildren. Margaret is survived by four children, Jack (Sceone) Gard of Evansville, Adam "Scott" Swiggum of Blanchardville, Tami Lynn Swiggum of Blanchardville, and Daniel Eric Swiggum of Blanchardville; three sisters, Susan (Kenneth) Kaether of Brooklyn, Marilyn Smith of Sauk City, and Kathleen (Randy) Gilbertson, of North Leeds; six grandchildren, Michael, Nicole and Andrew Gard, Allison Swiggum, Tyler Whittenbach and Logan Swiggum; and her former husband, Dennis Swiggum of Blanchardville. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2005, at 11 a.m. at the BLANCHARDVILLE LUTHERAN CHURCH. The Rev. Mark Gruner of the Pecatonica Lutheran Parish will officiate. Burial will be in the Graceland Cemetery in Blanchardville. Friends may call on Monday, Dec. 26, 2005, from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m. at the SAETHER FUNERAL HOME, Blanchardville.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on December 24, 2005

Obituary: John Tormey - Class of 1930

MADISON/AKRON,OHIO - John L. Tormey, age 92, of Akron, Ohio, died on Thursday, Dec. 15, 2005, at his home. John was born on April 10, 1913, in Madison. He was a graduate of Madison Central High School and attended the University of Wisconsin at Madison. He served as a Second Lieutenant in the 5th Army, Signal Corps, during World War II in North Africa and Italy. He married Nellie in 1946, and they moved to Akron in 1950. John joined Roadway Express that year and 28 years later he retired as Chairman and CEO. During those years, John found time to guide a major corporation, help his wife, Nell raise three sons, build and maintain a reputation of the highest ethical fiber and also make major contributions to the greater Akron and Cleveland community. In Akron, he served as Chairman of the Akron Metropolitan Park Board; Trustee of the Akron City Hospital, Akron Community Foundation, Akron Community Hall (Civic Theater), Akron YMCA, Akron Zoo, Stan Hywet Hall, The Summit County Historical Society, the GAR Foundation and Bluecoats Inc. In Cleveland, John served as Trustee of the National Council on Educational Research, National History Day, Western Reserve Historical Society, and the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. John also served as a Trustee of Hillsdale College, Hillsdale, Michigan. John is survived by his wife, of 59 years, Nellie; sons, Thomas A. (Anne) Tormey of Chargrin Falls, Ohio, and James N. Tormey of Akron, Ohio; and a sister, Catherine T. Sommer of Middleton. John was preceded in death by his parents, John and Margaret; son, John Edward Tormey; sisters, Margaret Jackson, Elizabeth Howley, Mary Connor and Jean Tormey; brothers-in-law, Harold Howley, Robert Connor and David Sommer. A Mass of Christian Burial, will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2005, at 11 a.m. at ST. SEBASTIAN CATHOLIC CHURCH, 476 Mull Ave., Akron, Ohio. Procession will form at the church. Interment in the Holy Cross Cemetery, 100 E. Waterloo Road, Akron, Ohio. Friends may call at the HUMMEL FUNERAL HOME, 500 East Exchange Street, Akron, Ohio, on Monday, Dec. 19, 2005, from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. Memorial donations may be made to St. Sebastian Parish Foundation, 476 Mull Ave, Akron, Ohio 44320. Hummel Funeral Homes (330) 253-6126

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on December 18, 2005

Note: John Tormey's graduation date is based on information in the 1930 Madison Central High School yearbook, which also shows he was Secretary-Treasurer of his graduating class.

Obituary: Valerie "Jean" (Morgan) Gugel - Class of 1946

MADISON - Valerie "Jean" Gugel, age 77, passed away on Thursday, Dec. 15, 2005. She was born on July 19, 1928, to Bernard E. and Etta (Gage) Morgan of Madison. Jean attended Franklin School, graduated from Central High School in 1946 and attended Madison Area Technical College. On Jan. 21, 1950, she was united in marriage to Ralph W. Gugel at St. James Catholic Church, Madison. Jean was a homemaker, and also was employed by the Credit Union National Association. She was a member of St. Bernard Catholic Church, and Women of the Moose Lodge No. 1451. Jean enjoyed crochet, bingo, bowling, camping, and her vegetable garden. She is survived by her husband, Ralph; five children, Barbara Gugel, Tom (Kathy) Gugel, Richard (Karen) Gugel, Mary (Chris) Nielsen, and Bill Gugel; ten grandchildren, David (Cammi) Gericke, Andrea Gugel, Daniel "Boomer" Gugel, Jeremy Gugel, Luke Gugel, Sarah Gugel, Christopher Nielsen, Jacob (Anita) Nielsen, Susan (Paul) Post, and Valerie (Steve) Zindars; seven great-grandchildren, Amanda Gericke, Cody Gericke, Eva Nielsen, Dain Post, Ryley Post, Abigail Zindars, and Tyler Zindars; and Jean leaves behind her brother, Bernard "Junior" (Dorothy) Morgan of Baraboo. She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Robert Morgan and Ronald Morgan; and a daughter, Nancy Gericke. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. BERNARD CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2450 Atwood Avenue, Madison, at 2 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 19, 2005, with Monsignor Michael Hippee presiding. Entombment will be at Resurrection Cemetery. Visitation will be at the church from 12:30 p.m. until the time of the service on Monday. The family thanks Karmenta Nursing Home for their loving care over the past year. Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Centers 5203 Monona Drive (608) 221-5420

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on December 18, 2005

Obituary: Arthur John "Art" Disch

MADISON - Arthur John "Art" Disch, age 78, passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2005, at Belmont Nursing Home. He was born on Feb. 11, 1927, in New Glarus, son of Henry and Ingeborg (Fladen) Disch. He attended Central High School, Madison, and during World War II, he served in the U.S. Marines, in the Pacific, from 1944 to 1946. Art operated a service station in Middleton for several years, worked at Cantwell Printing Company and retired from Cuna Mutual Insurance. He enjoyed hunting and fishing. Art is survived by his wife, Florence Disch; his three children, Nancy (Darwin) Thompson of Madison, John (Mary) Disch of Monona, and Joseph (Beth) Disch of DeForest; his five grandchildren, Kris (Edward) Porter of Sun Prairie, Scott Thompson of Madison, Henry and Annie Disch of Monona, and Bryn Disch of DeForest; a great-granddaughter, Kayleigh Thompson and her mother, Kirsten Bobholz; a brother, Raymond (Jackie) Disch; and an aunt Helen Shold. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins. Art was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Henry and Ralph; and a sister Gladys Hall. A memorial visitation will be held at RYAN FUNERAL HOME, 2418 N. Sherman Ave. on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2005, from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. A private burial will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials may be made to the Don and Marilyn Anderson HospiceCare Center, 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Madison, WI 53711. Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Service 2418 N. Sherman Ave. (608) 249-8257

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on December 15, 2005