Obituary: Madeline Marie (Vitale) Healy

MADISON - Madeline Marie Healy, age 70, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2004, surrounded by her children and grandchildren, at the home of her daughter, Nina, and son-in-law, David Genin. Madeline, known as Maggie, had long suffered with multiple sclerosis and diabetes. Maggie was born on Dec. 24, 1933, the second youngest of eight children born to her parents, Francisco and Mary (Reggio) Vitale. Madeline graduated from Central High School in Madison. The majority of her health care career was at Central Wisconsin Center in Madison. She married William Joseph Healy on Aug. 14, 1954. They renewed their marriage vows on March 30, 1981. Maggie and Joe enjoyed night skating, midnight swims, and Saturday dance marathons with their five children. Maggie especially loved to be surrounded by her children, grandchildren, and other family members. She opened her home to needy children and often brought home her Central Wisconsin residents for family holiday dinners. Maggie possessed a beautiful singing voice and was a member of her church choir. Maggie was an accomplished cook and baker. She was known for her homemade pasta, sauce, and Italian sausage. Maggie loved to bake Italian Christmas cookies with her children and grandchildren. Maggie served as a Boy Scout den leader. Maggie is survived by her five children, Mary Jo (Scott) Wilkerson of Marshall, Helen (Phil) Raatz of Fort Atkinson, Patty Schutte of Des Moines, Iowa, Ned (Sarah) Healy of Fort Atkinson, and Nina (David) Genin of Madison; her 13 grandchildren, Heather (Bob) See of Des Moines, Iowa, Crystal (Todd) Schneider of Cambridge, 2nd Lt. Mitchell (Katie) Powell stationed at Fort Rucker, Ala., Justin and Willie Powell and Shawn Wilkerson of Marshall, Lynsey, Lukas, and Max Genin of Madison, Madelyn and Katelyn Raatz of Fort Atkinson, and Sam and Keagan Healy of Fort Atkinson; two great-grandchildren, Isabeu and Elyjah See of Des Moines, Iowa; and many nieces and nephews. Maggie was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; two grandsons, David and William; her sisters, Anne Troia and Madaline Vitale; and her brothers, Joseph, Thomas, Peter, Dominic and James Vitale. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. BERNARD CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2450 Atwood Ave., Madison, at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 30, 2004, with Monsignor Michael Hippee presiding. Burial will be at Resurrection Cemetery. A luncheon will follow. Friends may call at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2004. We are eternally grateful to our courageous sister, Nina Genin, her husband, David, and their three children for the tender and loving care they provided to our mom and grandmother during her last two years. We also want to express our sincere thanks to HospiceCare of Madison for their gentle guidance during Maggie's final journey home. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be sent to HospiceCare, Inc., 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Madison, WI 53711 Gunderson East Funeral Home (608) 221-5420

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on January 28, 2004

Obituary: Vincent J. Geier

MADISON - Vincent J. Geier, age 84, died on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2004, at Meriter Hospital. He was born May 2, 1919. Vincent married the former Lois F. Musser on Jan. 18, 1941, and she preceded him in death in 2000. He graduated from Central High School in 1938. Vincent served in the U.S. Marine Corps as a corporal in the Pacific and Iwo Jima during World War II. He was employed as a Madison Firefighter for 31 years, later becoming Chief of Training. After retiring from the fire department, he was employed as coordinator of Safety Consumer Education and a project director of Educational Programs for Emergency Care, both at the Department of Continuing Medical Education at the University of Wisconsin-Extension. He was a member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. Vincent is survived by his five children, Sandra McDowell, Carol (Henry) Brehm, Steven (Ann) Geier, Christopher (Dina) Geier, all of Madison, and Kathy (Jack) Czerwonka of West Allis. He is further survived by his grandchildren, Marc McDowell, Kelly (Tony) Galli, Lisa (Bruce) Bunescu, Greg (Sarah) Brehm, Matt Geier, Emily Geier, Kayla Czerwonka, Alison Geier and Eric Geier; great-grandchildren, Ryan McDowell, Bailey Bunescu and Anna Brehm. Vincent is also survived by his sister, Rosanna (Hal) Roche; brother-in-law, John McDermott; and sisters-in-law, Mary Geier and Helen Geier; and many nieces and nephews. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at BLESSED SACRAMENT CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2115 Rowley Ave., on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2004, at 11 a.m. Friends may call from 9:30 a.m. until time of service at the church. Burial will follow at Resurrection Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital or the American Diabetes Association. The family extends special thanks to the caregivers at Meriter Hospital, especially Dr. Joseph Gergyes and nurse, Scott, for their diligent and compassionate care of our dad. Dad, we'll miss you and we love you. Cress Funeral Service 3610 Speedway Road (608) 238-3434

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on January 18, 2004

Obituary: John R. Cochems

MADISON - John R. Cochems, age 87, died on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2004, at a local nursing home. He was born on Feb. 19, 1916, in Bayside, N.Y. He married the former Ruth E. Schmitz on Nov. 28, 1942. She preceded him in death in 1988. He graduated from Central High School and attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison and graduated from LaCrosse State University. John served four years in the United States Coast Guard and was in the Anzio and Normandy battles of WWII. He was employed as an accountant for the State of Wisconsin and the University of Wisconsin for 38 years and retired in 1983. John was a life member of the Madison Elks Club and the Knights of Columbus. He was a member and former President of the University of Wisconsin Service Club. John loved his family, especially important to him were the times spent with them in Door County. He was an avid golfer and golfed in many leagues. He was a member of Blessed Sacrament Church and a member of Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church. John is survived by his four children, Richard of Sturgeon Bay, Wis., and Venice, Fla., Julie (Terry) Keating of Huntsville, Ala., Steve (fiance Joanne Fredrickson) Battle Lake, Minn., and Nick (Vicki) Cochems of Madison, Wis. He is further survived by grandchildren, Brent (Amy) Cochems, Scott (Mel) Cochems, Karen and Laura Keating, Danielle, John and Chris Cochems, and Austin and Kelsey Mader; great-granddaughter, Nicole Cochems. He is also survived by Mary Cochems and special friend, Norma Arvold and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Eddie and May Cochems; his brothers and sister, Philip, Elizabeth, David and Henry.; daughters-in-law, Sally Kuehling Cochems and Julie Jensen Cochems. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE CATHOLIC CHURCH, 401 South Owen Dr. at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2004. Friends may call from 9:30 until the time of service, on Tuesday at the church. Burial will follow in Resurrection Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Queen of Peace Church or the American Diabetes Association. The family extends special thanks to the caregivers of St. Mary's Care Center. Cress Funeral Service 3610 Speedway Road Madison, Wis. 53705

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on January 12, 2004

Obituary: Roy "Dunn" C. Shelton - Class of 1942

MADISON - Roy "Dunn" C. Shelton, age 79, was born March 25, 1924, and went to his eternal resting place Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2004. Roy was born and raised in Madison, to the late Annabelle and Roy Shelton Sr. He attended Longfellow Elementary School and graduated from Madison Central High School in 1942. Roy participated in sports especially track and field. Since 1941 Roy had an unbroken record in track and field in long distance running. Roy was best known throughout Madison as an avid bowler. He loved music, especially jazz and loved to dance. Roy worked many years for the state of Wisconsin and retired in 1986. Roy married Vivian Kinsey and from this union six children were born. He later married Thelma Talley Feb. 14, 1980. Roy leaves to cherish his loving wife Thelma; his children, Michael Shelton, Sauk Village, Ill., Sharon Banks, Chicago, Ill., Bonita (Harold) Ferguson Hinsdale, Ill., Lawrence (Ineicer) Shelton, Calumet City, Ill., Judith Shelton, Chicago, Ill., Rita (Alvin) Henderson, Madison, Georgia Underwood, Madison, and Veronica Kelly-Blakley, Chicago, Ill.; 20 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; mother-in-law, Corrie Talley, Spartanburg, S.C.; sisters-in-law, Margaret McIntyre, Madison, and Carol Talley, Spartanburg, S.C.; many nieces and nephews; his lifelong friend, Charles Collins, Madison; a special adopted son, Ronald Smith; and a host of other friends. Services will be held at noon Monday, Jan. 12, 2004, at MOUNT ZION BAPTIST CHURCH, 2019 Fisher St. where friends may call from 10 a.m. until time of service. Minister Melva Bishop will officiate and burial will follow in Forest Hill Cemetery. Cress Funeral Service 3325 E. Washington Ave. (608) 249-6666

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on January 11, 2004

Obituart: Herman R. Heim

MADISON - Herman R. Heim, age 94, a lifelong Madison resident, passed away on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2004, at St. Marys Medical Center. He was born on Dec. 9, 1909, in Madison, the son of the late Laura (Sturm) and Herman A. Heim. Herman was born into the family homestead at 515 State St. and lived 36 of his first 41 years on State Street. He was a graduate of Holy Redeemer Grade School, Central High School and attended the University of Wisconsin. From 1927 to 1964 Herman was a furrier and accountant with Hershleder Furs. During World War II, Herman worked for Rayovac making batteries for the war effort. He served as an accountant with Sprague-Dawley. On July 25, 1932, at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, he was united in marriage to Clara (Huerth) Heim. Herman and Clara had two daughters, Joan (Thomas) Echtner of Glendale, and Barbara (Thomas) Severn of Topeka, Kan. Clara passed away after 51 years of marriage. After Clara's death, he and Elizabeth "Betty" Togstad-Jimieson-Sherburne Heim met one another and united in marriage at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in 1983 and spent the last 20 years as husband, wife and companions. Herman was an avid sports fan whose family housed many UW athletes in their State Street home. He was a 60-year UW football season ticket holder and relished telling stories about decades of UW athletes and games. He seldom missed watching or listening to the Badgers and the Packers, and had many memories of 80-plus years of major league baseball. He enjoyed sharing his interest in sports with his children, grandchildren and their spouses. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, and Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church where he regularly attended daily Mass. In addition to his wife, Betty, and his daughters and son-in laws, Joan, Thomas, Barbara and Thomas, he is survived by his step-children, Sherry (John) Jimieson, James Jimieson, Ann (Tim) Sweeney and Mary (Michael) Bosold; his grandchildren and step-grandchildren, Christine (Jeff) Georgson, Mark Echtner, Teresa (Bill) Blatz, Bill (Paula) Severn, David (Denise) Severn, Christopher (Amy) Jimieson, Stacy (Ryan) Weime, Sarah Jimieson, Colleen (Paul) Hathaway, Patrick and Katie Sweeney, Bridget (Chad) Koening, Molly (Jon) Pfister and Brian Bosold; his great-grandchildren and great-step-grandchildren, Samantha Georgson, Adam and David Blatz, Hunter, Haley, Hannah, Clara and Andrew Severn, Betsy and Kelly Hathaway, and Isabella and Ashleigh Koening; and his cousin, Irene Newman, age 108. Herman was predeceased by his wife, Clara; his siblings, Monsignor Joseph Heim, Henry Heim, Phillip Heim, Laura Colahan and Francis (Dolly) Prokop; and a step-stepson, John Jimieson. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2004, at OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE CATHOLIC CHURCH, 405 S. Owen Drive. A visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until the service at the church. Monsignor Kenneth Fiedler will officiate. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Our Lady Queen of Peace endowment. Herman was blessed with a sharp intellect for all of his life. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend. By his quiet example, Herman taught the virtues of kindness, patience and humility, and the true meaning of what it meant to be a gentle man. Hermie, we love you and will miss you, ol' boy. Love is patient; love is kind. Love is not jealous, it does not put on airs, it is not snobbish. Love is never rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not prone to anger; neither does it brood over injuries. Love does not rejoice in what is wrong but rejoices with the truth. There is no limit to love's forbearance, to its trust, its hope, its power to endure. Joyce-Ryan Funeral Home 5701 Odana Road (608) 274-1000

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on January 6, 2004

Obituary: Harriet (Rathbun) Lindwall - Class of 1921

MADISON - Harriet Lindwall, age 99, died on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2004, at Oakwood Village West, Madison. She was born on Oct. 18, 1904, in LaValle, the daughter of William and Clara Rathbun. After graduating from Madison High School in June 1921, she attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison and earned both an undergraduate and master's degree in French. After graduating from college, she spent time furthering her studies of French at the University of Grenoble, Grenoble, France. She used this knowledge to teach high school French in Manitowoc, where she met her future husband, Bob Lindwall, who was a teacher and coach at the same school. On Aug. 1, 1936, they were married at her parent's home in Madison. Harriet was a very active person, helping out with the Cub Scouts, Junior Service League of Manitowoc, First Presbyterian Church, Chapter J PEO sisterhood and various other groups. Harriett was a great cook, an accomplished pianist, and a wonderful mom and wife to her three boys and husband. After Bob's death in 1985, she remained at her home in Manitowoc, until 1992, when she moved to her son, Robert's home, in Chicago, until October 2002, when she moved to Oakwood Village West in Madison. Harriet is survived by her three sons, Jon (Barbara), Robert (Dan) and Larry (Suzanne); sister, Edith Resan; five grandchildren, Todd (Julie), Lisa, Christopher (Jill), Jenny and TJ; and four great-grandchildren, Krista, Colin, Cole and Jewel Lindwall. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bob; her parents; four sisters, Marion, Mildred, Wilma and Norma; brother, William; and may nieces and nephews. She was a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother and will be missed by many. A celebration of Harriett's life will be held at the chapel at OAKWOOD VILLAGE WEST, 6201 Mineral Point road, Madison, at noon on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2004. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Oakwood Lutheran Homes, 6201 Mineral Point Road, Madison, WI 53705. The family wishes to thank the caring people of the second floor at Hebron Oaks for making her last days comfortable. Cress Funeral Service 3610 Speedway Road (608) 238-3434

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on January 5, 2004

Obituary: Mary (Petratta) Bench

MADISON - Mary Bench, passed from this life in her sleep on Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2003. She was born in Sicily on March 31, 1917, to George and Rose (Salerno) Petratta. Mary came to the United States when she was five years old, settling with her parents and infant brother, Nick in Chicago. Her father died shortly after. Her mother then married George Incorvino and there was three sons born of that marriage, Vito, Ben and George Jr. They moved to the Greenbush neighborhood where Mary and her brothers were raised. Mary graduated from Central High School and began working for the Dutch Maid Ice Cream Company located in the lower level of the First National Bank Building at the corner of Park Street and University Avenue. Mary met Rolland Guilligan during this time and they were married on April 22, 1938. Of this marriage, two daughters, Rosemary and Joyce Ellen, were born. Rolland was in poor health and he died on May 21, 1946, leaving HER to raise two very small daughters. She continued working at the Dutch Maid, but moved to a new location on Atwood Avenue. She met Charles Bench and they married on June 7, 1948. Mary went to Madison Area Technical College and took classes to enable her to gain employment at Oscar Mayer and Company. Mary and Chuck build a new home on the northeast side of Madison in 1953, where Shari Louise and Cynthia Lynn were born. Mary continued working at Oscar Mayer until her retirement in 1982. Chuck died on March 30, 1993. Mary continued living alone until her health failed and she moved to an assisted living facility. Mary is survived by four daughters, Rosemary (Charles) Carr of Sauk City, Joyce (Robert) Foster of Waunakee, Shari (James) Riphon of Lodi, and Cynthia (Tim) Culp of Orem, Utah; a brother, Nick Petratta of Springdale, Ark.; 11 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; AND several nieces and nephews. Her parents; step-father; three step-brothers; an infant step-sister, Sarah; two husbands; and a granddaughter, Karen Oetzelpreceded her in death. Services were held at the Gunderson East Funeral Home on Monona Drive on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2003, with interment at Roselawn Cemetery.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on January 1, 2004