Obituary: Thomas S. Baron - Class of 1965

MADISON - Thomas S. Baron, age 60, passed away at St. Mary's Hospital on Thursday, Sept. 27, 2007. He was born on Sept. 14, 1947, to Dorothea (Robert) McCarthy and the late Staley Baron. Thomas was a graduate of Central High School in 1965. He is survived by his wife, Mary Lou; children, Cammie (Clay) Templeton, Thomas F (Billee Jo) Baron, Tammy (Jeff) Di Salvo, and Terri (James) Bryd; eight grandchildren; his brothers, Wayne Baron of Charokee, Ala. and James (Carol) Baron of Albany, Wis.; and numerous nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2007, at 1 p.m. at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison. A visitation will by held at 12 p.m. until the time of service at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family or charity of your choice. Cress Funeral and Cremation Service 3610 Speedway Road, Madison (608) 238-3434

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on September 30, 2007

Obituary: Deloris Marie (Viviani) Benzschawel - Class of 1947

MIDDLETON - Deloris Marie Benzschawel, age 77, passed away on Monday, Sept. 24, 2007. She was born on May 7, 1930, in Madison, the daughter of Angelo and Mary (Fiore) Viviani. Deloris was united in marriage to Dorn Benzschawel on June 24, 1950, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Madison. After raising her children, she joined her husband as the manager/ owner of the Middleton IGA store for 20 years. She loved to travel especially with her beloved brother and sister-in-law, Richard and Colleen, with whom she and her husband took many trips throughout the United States. Her most precious times were spent with her family, particularly her many grandchildren whom she adored. Favorite summer trips included vacations to Door County and Lake Delton. She spent many hours volunteering at the Middleton Library. Deloris is survived by her husband, Dorn; a son, David (Linda) Benzschawel of Madison; three daughters, Susan (Greg) Brown of Marietta, Ga., Patricia Benzschawel of Pocatello, Idaho, and Maryanne (Rick) Melby of Houston, Texas; and 10 grandchildren, Michael, Daniel, Steven, Elizabeth, Kristen, Andrea, Colin, Kyle, Rachael and Marshall. She was preceded in death by her parents; and a brother, Richard Viviani. Funeral services will be held at ST. BERNARD'S CATHOLIC CHURCH, 7450 University Ave., Middleton at 11 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 28, 2007, with Monsignor Douglas Dushack presiding. Family and friends may call from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 27, 2007, at the GUNDERSON WEST FUNERAL HOME, 7435 University Ave., Middleton. Friends may also call on Friday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the donor's favorite charity. Gunderson West Funeral and Cremation Centers 7435 University Ave. (608) 831-6761

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on September 26, 2007

Note: Deloris (Viviani)Benzschawel's class year is based on information in The Mirror yearbook, where she is pictured among the members of the Class of 1947.

Obituary: Marion B. (Wildeman) Bryant - Class of 1929

MCFARLAND - Marion B. Bryant, age 97, passed away on Saturday, Sept. 22, 2007, at the Harmony of McFarland. Marion was born on April 16, 1910. in Milwaukee. She was the daughter of the late Jacob and Catherine (Zirkel) Wildeman. Marion attended Madison Central High School and the University of WI. She married Norwood T. Bryant on June 3, 1935 in Madison. He preceded her in death on January 9, 1969. They moved to Wild Rose, in 1935, then to McFarland in 1937, where Marion and Norrie raised their family in the Town of Dunn on the Yahara River, and where Marion lived for 66 years. She was a loving mother who cared immensely for her family. Her great joy in life was her two daughters, four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. She also enjoyed being with her many friends. Marion helped start the neighborhood birthday luncheon group, which is still going strong after 50 plus years. She was also a charter member of the McFarland Lioness. Marion is survived by her two daughters, Kay (Eric) Lysne of Stoughton and Betty (Gene) Henry of McFarland; four grandchildren, Scott Lysne of Waunakee, Heidi (Jeff) Bakken of Bloomington, Ill., Brent (Lara) Henry of Rogers, Ark., and Tori (Mark) Johnson of Rogers, Ark.; seven great-grandchildren, Devin and Coleman Lysne, Jared and Emma Bakken, Drake and Payne Henry and Gage Johnson; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband and her mother and father, she was preceded in death by her brother, Walter Wildeman. Funeral services will be held at 11:30 am on Wednesday, Sept.26, 2007, at CHRIST THE KING CATHOLIC CHURCH, 5306 Main St., McFarland. Father D. Stephen Smith will officiate. Friends may call from 10:30 a.m. until the time of service on Wednesday at church. Burial will be immediately after the service at Roselawn Memorial Park in Monona. The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to all the wonderful and caring staff at the Harmony of McFarland, and a special thanks to HospiceCare. The family suggests that memorials be made to HospiceCare Inc., 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Madison, WI 53711, or to the McFarland Lioness. Olson-Holzhuter-Cress Funeral and Cremation Service 5801 Highway 51 McFarland (608) 838-0655 Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on September 24, 2007. Marion B. (Wildeman) Bryant's class year is based on information in the 1929 Tychoberahn, where a photograph of her is amongst those of the graduating seniors. Thanks to Michael Vahldiek (Class of 1968) for researching her class year information.

Obituary: Wayne "Butch" Harlan - Class of 1963

LOVELAND, COLO. - Wayne "Butch" Harlan of Loveland, Colo., died Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2007, peacefully in his home after a two year battle with cancer. He was 62. Butch was born July 20, 1945, in Madison, to Hildegard Bosben. He was a 1963 graduate of Madison's Central High School. He attended the Wisconsin School of Electronics from 1967 to 1969, obtaining an associates degree. He became employed with Hewlett-Packard, Loveland, Colo., in 1969. For further information see www.kibbeyfishburn.com

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Joural on September 16, 2007

Note: The URL in the obituary takes you to a funeral home website which has a more complete obituary and a photograph of Wayne "Butch" Harlan. Click HERE to go directly to the obituary.

Obituary: Ernestine Cohn Chechik

PETALUMA, CALIF. - Ernestine Cohn Chechik, age 99, of Madison, St. Petersburg Beach, Fla., Sarasota, Fla. and Petaluma, Calif., died in Petaluma on Tuesday, July 10, 2007. She was born July 19, 1907, in Madison, the daughter of Max and Anna Cohn. She graduated from Madison Central High School and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she majored in journalism. Her late husband, Sam, owned and operated the Prescription Pharmacy in Madison. She and Sam were charter members of Beth El Temple and helped bring Rabbi Manfred Swarsensky to Madison, as Beth El's first religious leader. Ernestine was an excellent student, an avid reader and a talented pianist. She was active with the Beth El Sisterhood and served as its president from 1941 to 1942 and as director of the Beth El choir during the 1950s. She is survived by a sister, Bernice of Gainesville, Fla.; two sons, Alan of Bayfield and Michael Sunday of Petaluma, Calif.; seven grandchildren; a step-granddaughter and six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Sam; a brother, Herbert (Frieda) Cohn of Madison and a daughter, Gail (Wenocur) of Columbia, Md. Ernestine was a remarkable woman, described by her son, Michael, as "cheerful, buoyant, positive, deeply communicative...the very foundation of our whole family." She will be remembered as a loyal and supportive wife, a warm, wise and loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and a trusted friend. A private memorial service will be held in Madison. Please contact Alan at (715) 779-3338 for details.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on September 16, 2007

Obituary: Charles Leroy Butler, Sr. - Class of 1951

NEEDLES, CALIF. - Charles Leroy Butler Sr., age 74, passed away Tuesday, July 31, 2007, in Needles, Calif. He was born Dec. 20, 1932, in Madison and graduated from Central High School. He lived in Needles, since 1968. Charles was a proud U.S. Marine. After his honorable discharge, he began his 50 year career as an ironworker. When he retired from that profession, Mr. Butler taught welding at Needles High School for seven years. Charles was preceded in death by his mother, Ruby Madigan; and his daughter, Jaclyn Butler. He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Chomie; his children, Roxanne (Ralph) Meraz, Chuck Jr. (Debbie), Julie (Matt) Pollard, Jon and Paul (Crystal); 15 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brothers, Mike (Donna) Brown of Queen Creek, Ariz. and Norman (Anne) Brown of Madison; brothers-in-law, Joe (Dora) Quiroz and Ted (Betty) Quiroz; sisters-in-law, Virgie (Pete) Pagan and Ventura Quiroz; and several nieces and nephews. A military funeral was held at St. Ann's Catholic Church on Saturday, Aug. 4, 2007. Arrangements were handled by Needles Dimond and Sons Mortuary.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on September 16, 2007

Note: Charles Leroy Butler's class year is based on information in the 1951 Tychoberahn, were his photograph is among those of the graduating seniors.

Obituary: Evelyn L. (Bingham) Bultman - Class of 1953

COTTAGE GROVE - Evelyn L. Bultman, age 73, of Cottage Grove passed away on Friday, Sep. 14, 2007, in her home surrounded by family, after a courageous battle with cancer. She was born on May 3, 1934 in Madison, to Michael and Frances Bingham. Evey attended Madison school, graduating from Central High School in 1953. She met Phillip Bultman, the love of her life in 1950; he was the brother of her sister's husband. They were united in marriage on Nov. 19, 1955 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Madison. Evey and Phil had three children and Evey chose to stay at home and raise their children. Evey began working part time once their children had grown. She worked for DeMars in Cottage Grove and Macor in Deerfield. She worked full time for Madison Metropolitan School District in Food Service until her retirement. Evey took great pride in her cooking, cleaning, and child rearing. She also enjoyed gardening, playing cards, traveling, shopping with her daughter, dancing, reading and chatting on the phone. She maintained strong friendships with her grade school and high school classmates and her co-workers. Once you were a friend with Evey, you were a friend for life. Her greatest love was for her family. She loved attending her grandchildren's activities. Evey leaves a huge hole in the hearts of her husband, Phil; her children, Dan (Patty) Bultman (grandchildren Celeste and Allison) of Madison, Jeff (Wendy) Bultman (grandchildren Nicole and Ryan) of Waterloo, and Patti (Jerry) Helgeland (grandchildren Jenni and Jason) of Cottage Grove. She is further survived by a sister, Gladys Bultman of Sun Prairie; a brother, Mike Bingham of Wisconsin Dells; and many other nieces, nephews and close friends. Evey was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Harold, Roy, and Donald; and sisters, Helen Riddle, Betty Krieder and Lolita Harrison. Funeral services will be held on Monday, Sep. 17, 2007, at 10:30 a.m., at ST. JOHN'S LUTHERAN CHURCH, 322 E. Washington Ave., with the Rev. Ken Smith presiding. Burial will be held at Roselawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be on Sunday, Sep. 16, 2007, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m., at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, and at the church on Monday, from 9:30 a.m. to the time of service. The family wishes to thank Hospice for their support and compassion in allowing Evey to remain at home during her illness. Special thanks to Loretta and Joan, from hospice, for their assistance. Gunderson East Funeral and Cremation Centers (608) 221-5420

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on September 16, 2007

Obituary: Gordon D. Logan - Class of of 1930

MADISON - Gordon D. Logan passed away at Meriter Hospital, Saturday, Sept. 8, 2007. He was born in Beaver Dam on Aug. 20, 1912. His parents were the Rev. and Mrs. Harland C. Logan. Four sisters, Evelyn (Coatsworth), Margaret "Peg" (Gilbert), Ruth (Hulbert) and Jean (Bjorn) preceded him in death. After graduating from Central High School in Madison in 1930, Gordon went on to study personnel administration and business management at the University of Wisconsin until 1934. After college, he began his career with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in Milwaukee. While living there, he met Dorothy Ireland and the two were married in 1940. From Milwaukee, they moved to Kansas City, Mo., where Gordon had accepted a position as personnel officer of the Federal Public Housing Authority. A year later, they moved back to Madison and he began work in personnel management at the U.S. Forest Products Laboratory. A tour of duty as an officer in the U.S. Navy during World War II took him to the Pacific Theater for two-and-half years. Afterwards, he returned to the Laboratory where he was later promoted to assistant director, in charge of administrative management. He was an active and longtime member of the Society for Research Administration. He eventually retired in 1973. Gordon gave of his time and talents in many ways. He was the charter president, and a member, of the West Side Optimist Club beginning in 1952. He later was elected lieutenant governor of Optimist International. He was a member of Covenant Presbyterian Church for more than 50 years. During those years he served as an elder, an administrative elder, clerk of the session, and a member of several ministerial search, as well as finance committees. Gordon was elected as a trustee of the Village of Shorewood Hills and was chairperson of their personnel committee for four years. Above all, Gordon was a devoted, loving and caring individual, most notably as husband and father. Family always took priority for him but he was always aware of the value of friends and community. He is survived by Dorothy, his wife of 67 years; and two children, a son, David of Madison, and a daughter, Nancy of Seattle, Wash. His family would like to extend heartfelt appreciation to Dr. John Ewalt, and all the nurses and nurses aids, who cared for Gordon during his illness. A Memorial Service will be held a COVENANT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 326 S. Segoe Road, on Friday, Sept. 14, 2007, at 11 a.m. Lunch will follow the service with time to greet the family. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Madison West Optimist Club's "Burt Hable Scholarship Fund" or Covenant Presbyterian Church

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on September 12, 2007