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Progress Report

I've now posted obituaries for 84 Madison Central High School alumni published in local newspapers in 2005 and the first half of 2004. I will finish posting the obituaries published in the second half of 2004 as soon as I can find the time.

Thus far, I have only posted obituaries that specifically state that someone attended Central High School (or, in a few instances, Madison High School, the school's name prior the opening of a second high school in the city). If you have information about a Central alumnus who died in 2004 (January - June) or 2005, but whose obituary is not included in this archive, please send me an email, so I may include them.

Obituary: David Wilke Ovitt - Class of 1929

A memorial service will be held Feb. 25 for David Wilkie Ovitt of Eugene, who died Jan. 21 of age-related causes. He was 93.

Ovitt was born Nov. 2, 1912, in Chicago, to Arthur Wilkie and Margaret Haight. He married Elizabeth "Bess" Wright on June 15, 1938, in Bowling Green, Ky. She died Oct. 8, 1998.

He graduated from Madison Central High School in 1929. He received a bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin in 1923 and a master's degree from the same university in 1936.

Ovitt served in the Army from 1941 to 1945 as a member of the 4th Surgical Auxiliary in Europe.

He worked as a general surgeon and was chief of surgery and chief of staff at St. Mary's Hospital in Milwaukee, Wis. He was the founding member of Northpoint Medical Group.

He enjoyed playing bridge, golf and reading and was an avid University of Wisconsin basketball fan. He was a 50-year member of the American Medical Association, the Wisconsin Medical Society and the University of Wisconsin Alumni.

Survivors include a son, Theron "Terry" of Tucson, Ariz., two daughters, Margaret Ovitt of Macomb, Ill., and Elizabeth "Betsy" Ovitt of Eugene; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

The Feb. 25 service will be held at 11 a.m. at Christ Church in Milwaukee, Wis. Musgrove Family Mortuary in Eugene is in charge of arrangements.

Originally published in the Eugene, Oregon Register-Guard newspaper on January 25, 2006


Ovitt, David W., MD

A memorial service was held February 25 for David Wilkie Ovitt who died January 21, 2006 of age-related causes. He was 93. Ovitt was born November 2, 1912 in Chicago, to Arthur Wilkie and Margaret Haight. He was raised in Madison, graduating from Madison Central High School in 1929. He received a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Wisconsin in 1933 and a Doctorate of Medicine from there in 1936. He married Elizabeth "Bess" Wright on June 15, 1938 in Bowling Green Kentucky. She died October 8, 1998. He served in the Army from 1941-1945. From 1943-1945 he was a member of the 4th Surgical Auxillary which was attached to Patton's 3rd Army. This medical unit performed surgery at the front lines on those who were too critically wounded to transport to the hospital. After the war he returned to Milwaukee to practice General Surgery. He was a Clinical Instructor of Surgery at Marquette Medical School and a Consulting Surgeon at Milwaukee County Hospital from 1947-1955. He served 25 years on the Editorial Board of the Wisconsin State Medical Journal from 1950-1975. He was a general surgeon on the staff of St. Mary's Hospital from 1947-1984 where he was Chief of Surgery from 1960-1966 and Chief of Staff from 1966-1970. During his tenure as Chief of Staff, he led the initiative to begin Open Heart Surgery services at the hospital. In response to rising health care costs, he worked with American Motors and St. Mary's Hospital to organize a group of physicians to found Northpoint in 1972, one of the earliest HMO's in Wisconsin. He retired from active practice in 1982. He enjoyed playing bridge, reading and was an avid University of Wisconsin basketball fan. He was a 50 year member of the Wisconsin Medical Society and the University of Wisconsin Alumni. Survivors include a son, Theron "Terry" of Tucson, Arizona; two daughters, Margaret Ovitt of Macomb, Ill and Elizabeth "Betsy" Ovitt of Eugene, OR; four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Memorial donations can be made to the charity of your choice or to Columbia-St. Mary's Foundation. Further information is available through Musgrove Family Mortuary, Eugene, Oregon, 541-686-2818.

Orignally published in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on March 15, 2005

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.