Obituary: Chris P. Josheff

MADISON - Chris P. Josheff Sr., age 82, passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2006, after a long illness with Alzheimer's disease. He was born on May 16, 1924, in Madison, to Peter and Mary (Dimoff) Josheff. Chris attended Madison Central High School, then served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps during World War II, from 1943 until 1946. He married Betty Severa on July 6, 1967. Chris was a letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service in the Madison area for 30 years, retiring in 1979. He was a member of V.F.W. Post No. 1318. Chris loved outdoor activities, walking, swimming, playing with his grandchildren, and sitting on his porch with Betty. He enjoyed playing cards and bowling, and bowled his first 300 game at age 65. Chris is loved and survived by his wife, Betty; three children, Sylvia Josheff of Monona, Chris P. Jr. (Margo) Josheff of Sun Prairie, and Suellyn (David) Wiemer of McFarland; 10 grandchildren, Joseph "Joey" Knott, Stephanie Knott, Laura Knott, Chris P. III (Jenny) Josheff, Kristen (Rick) Wollin, Diana Josheff, Jessica (Dan) Felix, Garrett Mitchell, Christopher Schmidt and Greg Schmidt; four great-grandchildren, Curtis, Sara and Emily Wollin, and Joshua Josheff; a sister, Leona "Nonie" Kinder of Monona; two sisters-in-law, Pam Josheff of Madison, and Fay (Ellsworth) Peterson of Norfolk, Neb; and by numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; a granddaughter, Jennifer Josheff; a brother, Boris Josheff; a sister, Frannie Shepherd; and two brothers-in-law, Charlie Shepherd and Chet Kinder. Funeral services will be held at ASSUMPTION GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH, 11 N. Seventh St., Madison, at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2006, with Father Joseph Tzougros presiding. Burial will be at Roselawn Memorial Park, with military rites conducted by Madison Veterans Firing Squad. Visitation will be at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m., with a Trisagion service at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 29, 2006. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Assumption Greek Orthodox Church or Alzheimer's Association. Gunderson East Funeral and Cremation Centers 5203 Monona Drive (608) 221-5420

Obituary: Kent Paul Tweeten - Class of 1966

UKIAH, CALIF./ MADISON - Kent Paul Tweeten, age 58, of Ukiah, Calif., passed away Friday, Sept. 8, 2006, at Ukiah Community County Hospital, after a long illness. Paul was born Feb. 19, 1948, in Madison, the son of Kent and June Tweeten. His mother preceded him in death in March 1970. He is survived by his father, Kent of Madison; his aunt, Ruth Grina of Tucson, Ariz.; cousin, Muriel Mikkelson of Menomonee; and his siblings, Caroline (David) Sheperd and Elizabeth (Chuck) Johnson of Madison, Eloise Tweeten of Santa Rosa, Calif., Amy Tweeten of Petosky, Mich. and Rolf (Carrie) Tweeten of Crystal Lake, Ill. He also left behind nieces, Dana Sheperd, Linsey and Kirsten Alman, Sierra and Kelsey Johnson; and nephews, Cole and Blake Sheperd and Kent, Arthur, and Jacob Tweeten. Paul graduated from Madison Central High School in 1966. He dabbled in various business ventures including Media International and was always very fascinated with film (movies). In 1984, he graduated from UW-Madison in film studies. He was very proud of his documentary, "The Jo Family," which gained him acceptance into the American Film Institute in Los Angeles. Paul was a loving and generous brother and son, and his positive spirit will be greatly missed. Private service arrangements are pending.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on September 17, 2006

Obituary: Letha May Reynolds Mason - Class of 1933

MADISON - Letha May Reynolds Mason, age 90, died on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2006, after a long battle with Alzheimer's, surrounded by her loving family at her Madison home. Letha was born on Oct. 18, 1915, at home on E. Washington Ave., Madison, to Alex Reynolds and Elsie Liebenow Reynolds. At age 8, her family moved to a home at 544 W. Wilson St. Built in 1843, it still remains one of Madison's oldest residences. Letha attended Madison Central High School where she met her future husband, Glen Mason. They married in 1934 and had one daughter, Barbara, in 1938. Letha was an active member of St. Marks Lutheran Church in Madison, worked in sales at Manchester's and was a devoted wife and mother. She and Glen traveled the world. Letha's special interests included genealogy, (finding an ancestor, Samuel Fuller, who arrived on the Mayflower); wildflower gardening; art and craftwork; writing poetry and music; and entertaining at her home at 5102 Odana Road. She was a great cook, loved all nature, and was very kind. She is survived by her grandson, Tom Schulz and his wife JoAnn; great-grandchildren, Sarah Kulagin (Maxim) and Aaron Michie of Madison; son-in-law, Ken Schultz (Marsha) of Madison; niece, Alice (Don) Schmitt of North Carolina and family; and nephew, James Annen of Florida. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1982; her daughter in 1991; and her grandson, John Schulz, in 1994. Her only sister, Geraldine Annen, also battled Alzheimer's until her death in 2001. Letha's kind heart never faltered even after tragic losses. Services will be held on Friday, Sept. 15, 2006, at 6 p.m., with visitation one hour preceding at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive. Burial will be at a future time at Roselawn in Madison. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Alzheimer's Association, 517 N. Segoe Road, Suite 301, Madison, WI 53705. Special thanks to HospiceCare, Oakwood Village West-Hebron Oaks, Prancy Willis and Dr. Elizabeth O'Brien for assisting Letha's family with her care during her illness. We could not have done it without you. Gunderson East Funeral and Cremation Centers 5203 Monona Drive (608) 221-5420

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on September 13, 2006

Note: The class year for Letha May Reynolds Mason is based on information in the 1933 Orange and Black yearbook, which features her senior photo in the section on June graduates.

Obituary: Roger Matthew Oetzel

MADISON - Roger Matthew Oetzel, age 68, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, Sept. 8, 2006, at his home. He was born on Nov. 27, 1937, in Sheboygan. Roger attended Madison Central High School. He served in the United States Navy, after graduation. After serving in the Navy, Roger and his brother, Wes, operated a paint company. He also worked at Woodman's and Sentry grocery stores. Roger was an active member of St. Dennis Catholic Church, and the VFW. He was a loving and devoted grandpa. Roger is survived by his son, Ron (Deanna) of Albion; a granddaughter, Elizabeth; and his mother, Theresa Oetzel of Madison. He was preceded in death by his father; a daughter, Karen Oetzel; and his siblings, Carol, Doris and Wesley. Funeral services will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, at noon on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2006. Visitation will be at the funeral home from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 11, 2006. Memorials may be made to St. Dennis Catholic Church or the American Red Cross. Gunderson East Funeral and Cremation Centers 5203 Monona Drive (608) 221-5420

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on September 10, 2006

Obituary: Vivian A. (Schmelzer) Dupuis - Class of 1936

NORTH ADAMS, MASS. - Vivian A. (Schmelzer) Dupuis, age 88, of North Adams, Mass., died Friday, Aug. 25, 2006. She was born in Madison, on June 11, 1918, she was the oldest of eight daughter of Frederick and Anna (Holzbauer) Schmelzer. She graduated from Central High School in 1936. She was a veteran of World War II, serving with the U.S. Coast Guard from 1943-1945 as a pharmacist's mate. She met her future husband, who was also in the Coast Guard in New York City. They married Jan. 29, 1944, at St. Joseph's Church in New York. Following her honorable discharge they moved to North Adams, Mass., where her husband had grown up. Mrs. Dupuis graduated from the former North Adams State College in 1975 with a bachelor's degree in education. She taught in local schools in North Adams and Adams, Mass., until retiring 20 years ago. She was a member and longtime choir director of Notre Dame Church in North Adams. She was a member of Court Margaret of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas. In her retirement she enjoyed knitting, crocheting, crafts and visiting with grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, P. Homer Dupuis in 1994; and brothers, Thomas Schmelzer (Virginia), Donald Schemlzer (M. J.), David Schmelzer (Mary) and Duane (Johanna Schmelzer). Also preceding her in death were sisters, Rosemary Dosher and Beatrice (Warren) Bull. Survivors include her brother, William (Nancy) Schmelzer; her children, Anne (Michael) Doran of Monona and their children Neal, Casey and Meghan (Mark) Gonzalez; her son, Peter Dupuis and his children, Danielle and Erin, and her son, Paul (Diane) Dupuis and their children Matt and Nicole. She is further survived by a great-granddaughter, Emma Nicole Dupuis. She also leaves behind many cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, many in the Madison area. Mrs. Dupuis' funeral was held Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2006, at St. Anthony of Padua Church, North Adams, Mass., all of her grandchildren served as pallbearers. Memorial donations may be made to any Alzheimer's Association or particularly to the Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk Team from Sweet Brook Care Center through the funeral home, Auge-San soucie-Simmons Funeral Home, 46 North Church St., North Adams, Ma. 01247.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on September 6, 2006