Obituary: Charlotte J. (Bartle) Martin - Class of 1939

MADISON - Charlotte J. (nee Bartle) Martin, age 85, passed away early on Thursday, May 24, 2007, at St. Paul Elder Services in Kaukauna. Charlotte was born in Madison on June 18, 1921, the daughter of the late Charles and Catherine (O'Neill) Bartle. She attended St. Patrick Grade School, Madison Central High School and the University of Wisconsin. She worked at Truax Field in Madison and Badger Ordnance in Baraboo. Charlotte was proud to have worked until age 75, retiring from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. Charlotte is survived by her wonderful children, Philip (Karen) Martin II of Sierra Vista, Ariz. and their children, Megan and Ryan; Jeanne Martin of Davis, Calif.; Lisa (Peter) Garvey of Appleton and Laura Martin of Rockville, Md.; two nephews, Leo Halverson and Robert Halverson; a niece, Marcia DuVair; and her former husband of 23 years, Philip Martin. Charlotte was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Marcella (Leo) Halverson, Kathryn (Harley) Britt and Helen (Milton) Fergen; and a niece, June (Albert) Skorupa. Memorial services for Charlotte will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, May 29, 2007, at BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH, 312 Wisconsin Ave., Madison, with the Rev. Duane Hanson officiating. Inurnment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery. Friends may call directly at the church on Tuesday from 9 a.m. until the hour of the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Boy and Girl Scouts of America, Bethel Horizons Foundation or for Macular Degeneration Research. Wichmann Funeral Home 537 N. Superior St., Appleton (920) 739-1231

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on May 25, 2007

Note: Charlotte Jean Bartle's class year is based on information in the June 16, 1939 edition of The Capital Times, which features a list of Madison Central High School's graduating seniors.

Obituary: Sister Robert Mary Wilke (Phylllis Mary Wilke) - Class of 1939

SINSINAWA - Sister Robert Mary Wilke, O.P., age 85, of St. Dominican Motherhood in Sinsinawa, died peacefully on Tuesday, March 20, 2007, at the Dominican Motherhouse, Sinsinawa. She was born Sept. 24, 1921, in Madison. She was the daughter of Robert William and Helen Regine (O'Neill) Wilke. Her birth name was Phyllis Mary Wilke. She attended St. Raphael's Catholic Grade School and graduated from Central High School in 1939. She knew at a very young age that she wanted to become a Dominican Sister, so after graduating from high school she entered the order. She made her first profession of religious vows on Aug. 7, 1941. She was an elementary school teacher and principal for 44 years. She taught in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. After retiring from teaching. she was the business officer at St. Dominic Villa in Dubuque, Iowa, for 10 years and retired from that position in 2001. She is survived by her sister, Lorraine Wilke of Madison and many cousins. She is also survived by her Dominican Sisters with whom she shared her religious life for 66 years. She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Helen and brother, Robert Jr. A remembrance service was held on Sunday, March 25, 2007, at the Gathering Place in the Dominican Motherhouse, Sinsinawa. The funeral Mass was held in Queen of Rosary Chapel at the Dominican Motherhouse with her burial in the Motherhouse Cemetery on Monday, March 26, 2007. She served God all of her life and now she lives with him eternally.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on May 20, 2007

Obituary: Aaron "Red" Schuster - Class of 1941

MADISON - Aaron "Red" Schuster, age 84, passed away quietly after a long battle with Alzheimer's at St. Mary's Care Center in Madison. He was born Dec. 24, 1922, in Madison to Cecile (Epstein) and Isadore Schuster. Aaron graduated from Central High School in 1941 and served in the U.S. Army in the European Theater from 1943-1946. In September 1948 he married Shirley Mead in Madison. From 1951-1961 he owned and operated a furniture store in Mineral Point and later was a letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service in Madison until his retirement in 1984. He was an avid golfer and he looked forward to many years of playing golf multiple times a week. Aaron was a member of Beth Israel Center. Aaron is survived by his wife of 59 years, Shirley. He is also survived by his sons, Mark (Mary) of West Bend, and Michael of Verona; and daughter, Michelle Caro of Verona. He had five grandchildren, Angela, Emily, Adam, Dustin and Jordan; and a great-grandson, Kevin. Aaron was a warm and caring husband, father and grandfather and will be truly missed. He was preceded in death by his mother and father; and sister, Esther Shapiro. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Beth Israel Center, 1406 Mound St., Madison, WI 53711; or the Alzheimer's Association, 517 N. Segoe Road No. 301, Madison, WI 53705. A special thanks to the staff at St. Mary's Care Center for the great care he received over the past three years. Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 9, 2007, at FOREST HILL CEMETERY, 1 Speedway Road, Section 36, with Rabbi Kenneth Katz officiating. Cress Funeral and Cremation Service 3610 Speedway Road (608) 238-3434

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on May 9, 2007