Obituary: George Wilson - Class of 1954

STOUGHTON - George Wilson, age 68, passed away after a long illness on Saturday, Jan. 15, 2005. He was born on Sept. 26, 1936, in Madison, a son of the late George E. and Ardis (Oyer) Wilson. He graduated from Central High School in Madison in 1954. He joined the United States Marine Corps in 1954. He was united in marriage to Ruth Tootsie Eastman on July 15, 1969, in Rockford, Ill. George was a member of American Legion Post 59, Eagles Club 2140, Blinded Veterans Association 6087, and a die hard Cubs fan. He is survived by his wife, Ruth Tootsie of Stoughton; son, Kelly (Jan) Wilson; son Ken (Michelle) Koehler and their children Debbie (Stuart) Wipperfurth, Kelsye, Stephanie, and Brent; daughter, Kathy (Rick) Knight and their children, Jessie and Jackie; son, Darrell (Cheryl) Bickle and their son Derek; daughter, Donna (Randy) Bartz and their children Michael and Miranda; and son David (Nancy) Bickle and their children Jennie (Matt) and Katie. He is further survived by three great-grandchildren, Veronica, Caleb and Taylor; good friends, Lorrayne Thompson and John Christopherson; many in-laws, nieces, nephews; and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; a son Patrick; and a daughter Diana. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2005, at OLSON-HOLZHUTER-CRESS, 206 W. Prospect Ave., Stoughton. Monsignor Gerard Healy will officiate. Military rites will be by the Stoughton American Legion Post 59 Honor Guard. Family will greet friends from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Wednesday at the funeral home. An Irish wake will follow the service at Georges home. Olson-Holzhuter-Cress Funeral & Cremation Service 206 W. Prospect Ave. Stoughton (608) 873-9054.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on January 16, 2005