Obituary: Virginia Caravello - Class of 1942

MADISON- Virginia Caravello, age 86, passed away peacefully on June 23, 2008, at Belmont Nursing Home after a short battle with ovarian cancer. She was born in Milwaukee on May 27, 1922, and lived her early life on W. Dayton St. in Madison and her last 20 years at the Capitol Center, also on W. Dayton St. She graduated from St. Raphael's Elementary School in 1938 and Central High School in 1942. She was married to Stephan J. Caravello in 1945 and together they owned and managed several restaurants, most famous being Chicken on Wheels (the first restaurant to offer food delivery in Madison) and the Soupcon Restaurant on King St. Virginia later worked at and retired from St. Mary's Hospital. She was a member of the VFW Auxiliary, the Degree of Honor and was a volunteer at Meriter Hospital for eight years. Virginia loved people and was a "mother" to many. Everyone was always welcome in her home. She loved to make a meal for many out of nothing, just like her mother did. She is survived by her daughter, Rosemary and son-in-law Robert Lenzer; sister-in-law, Virginia Frederick; brother-in-law, Fred Bast; a life long friend, Irene Crabtree; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Virginia was preceded in death by her husband, Stephan; their infant son, Michael Angelo; a sister, Bernadette Bass; a brother, Dallas Frederick; and a dear friend, Pearl Rogg. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2008, at 11:30 a.m. at HOLY REDEAMER CATHOLIC CHURCH, 128 W. Johnson St. in Madison. A visitation will be held at the church from 10:30 a.m. until the time of service. Internment will be at a later date. The family wishes to thank Margaret Bass, a special niece who gave so much love and assistance to Virginia, UW Hospital, Belmont Nursing Home and Care Wisconsin.Virginia lived and died with grace and dignity and will be missed by many.Cress Funeral and Cremation Service 3610 Speedway Road (608) 238-3434

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on July 31, 2008

Obituary: Florence Mary Speth

MADISON - Florence Mary Speth, age 92, passed away on Monday, July 21, 2008, at Badger Prairie Health Care Center. When Florence was born on April 11, 1916, the United States was poised on the brink of World War I. She was the middle child of William Speth and Abbie Wolff Speth, third generation German Americans. She grew up on West Wilson St., attended St. Raphael's Elementary School and graduated from Central High School. Florence has been ill for many years and resided at the Badger Prairie Health Care Center in Verona. The family wishes to thank the nursing staff on 1-North for their loving care through the years. Florence is survived by her loving sister-in-law, Alice Speth of Madison; nephew, David (Kathy) Haas of Canton, Mich.; and nieces, Becky (Harold) Haas Ackerman of Rockford, Mich. and Marcia Speth Hunter of Los Angeles, Calif. She was preceded in death by her father and mother; sister, Marian Speth Haas; brother, William "Bill" Speth; and nephew, William "Mike" Speth. Private family services were held. Burial was held at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery. Joyce-Ryan Funeral Home and Cremation Services 5701 Odana Rd.(608) 274-1000

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on July 27, 2008

Obituary: Barbara J. (Suetmeier) Cordio

CROSS PLAINS/COTTAGE GROVE - Barbara J. Cordio, age 77, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, July 13, 2008, at St. Mary's Hospital. She was born on Jan. 14, 1931, in Madison, the son of Russell and Purnett (Christianson) Suetmeier. Barbara attended Central High School. She was united in marriage to Carl Cordio on May 21, 1955. Barbara worked at Bancroft Dairy, owned and operated Barb and Doris' Park Café (aka "The Greasy Spoon") and worked for Sears. She was the caretaker for her mother at the Grove. Barbara loved to sew, knit, cook, shop, and time spent with her grandchildren. Barbara is survived by her husband, Carl of Cross Plains; two children, Michael Cordio of Sun Prairie and Jennifer (Brian) Zwettler of Cross Plains; five grandchildren, Michael (Kim) Cordio Jr., Mackenzie, Taryn, Giovanna and Giancarl Zwettler; a great-grandchild, Cameron Cordio; three siblings, Joyce (William) Timmerman of Houston, Texas, Terra (Robert) Royce of Janesville and David Suetmeier of Eau Claire; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, Linda Sue Cordio; a sister, Donna McChesney; and a brother, Harry James Suetmeier. Funeral services will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Dr., at noon, on Thursday, July 17, 2008. Inurnment will be at Roselawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be at the funeral home from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Thursday. A special thank you to all of Mom's friends and family who have been such a strong support to her. "I love you little, I love you big, I love you like a little pig." Gunderson East Funeral and Cremation Centers 5203 Monona Dr. (608) 221-5420

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on July 14, 2008

Obituary: Donald W. "Smitty" Smith - Class of 1938

MADISON - Donald W. "Smitty" Smith, age 87, died on Monday, July 7, 2008, at his home in Madison surrounded by his loving family. He was born on Oct. 4, 1920, to Thomas and Verna (Egan) Smith in Eau Claire. The family moved to Madison during the Great Depression. In Madison, he attended St. Raphael's grade school and Central High School. In 1942, Don enlisted in the Army Air Corps where he attained the rank of captain. After one year of training, he was shipped to Norwich, England, where he flew 30 missions on his beloved plane "Queenie". On June 10, 1950, he was united in marriage to Kathryn "Kay" Daly. After the war, Don returned to Madison, where he was a mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service until his retirement after 35 years of service. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 1318 on Lakeside St. For many years after his retirement, Don enjoyed golfing with his friends, and playing cards, especially euchre and bridge. Don is survived by his wife, Kay; two children, Marsha (John) Gahagan of Fitchburg and Greg (Susan Otterson) Smith of Janesville; and his adored grandchildren, Kevin (fiancee Lynn), Bridget, Keely, and Emma; a sister, Geraldine Hoffman of Madison; and nieces and cousins. A Memorial Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 11, 2008 at OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE CATHOLIC CHURCH, 401 S. Owen Drive, Madison with Father Todd Van Natta officiating. A visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until time of services at the church on Friday. Memorials are appreciated to the HospiceCare Foundation, 5395 E. Cheryl Pkwy, Madison, WI 53711. The family would like to thank the staff at HospiceCare and St. Mary's Care Center for the wonderful care provided to Don. Also, special thanks to Dr. Hermus and Angie, as well as Melissa and Becky. He will be dearly missed. Cress Funeral and Cremation Service 3610 Speedway Road (608) 238-3434

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on July 9, 2008

Note: Donald Smith's class year is based in information in the 1938 Orange & Black yearbook, where he is listed among the members of the June graduating class.

Obituary: Richard J. Adams - Class of 1956

POYNETTE - Richard J. Adams of Poynette and formerly of Madison, passed away on Saturday, July 5, 2008, surrounded by his loving family, after a long battle with cancer. "Turk" was born on Feb. 23, 1937 and proudly grew up in the Greenbush area. He was a 1956 graduate of Madison Central High School. Dick worked many years as a route driver for Budweiser, Frank's Liquor, Gardner's Bakery and Purolator Courier. He was a life long Chicago Bears fan and an avid Chicago Cubs Fan. He got to live out one of his life long dreams to see the Cubs play at Wrigley Field this year. Richard is survived by his wife, Bethany; children, Gail (Mike Loftis) Cartmill of Tucson, Ariz., Vernon (Kathy) Young of Merrimac, James (Jodee Kox) Young of DeForest, Michael (Melissa Tietz) Adams of Cottage Grove and Michele (Kurt) Miller of Monona; brother, James (Toni) Adams of Mount Horeb; sisters, Betty Retalick of Cassville and Patricia (Roger) Klein of Madison; grandchildren, Hallee, Jordan, Katie, Haley, Alex, Kassie, Ryan, Abigail and Nicholas; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence "Butch" and Victoria Adams; his beautiful daughter, Diane Adams; and a sister, Nancy Ward. He was a great man, husband, father, grandfather and friend. Richard will always be remembered for his constant smile, his big blue eyes, and his great sense of humor. He touched the hearts of many and brought happiness to all he met. Funeral services will be held at ST. STEPHEN'S LUTHERAN CHURCH, 5700 Pheasant Hill Rd., Monona, on Thursday, July 10, 2008, at 12 p.m. with the Rev. Nicholas Utphall presiding. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Dr., Madison, on Wednesday, July 9, 2008 from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m., and also on Thursday at the church from 11 a.m. until the time of service. A special thank you to the staff at Middleton Village for all you did to make his last days comfortable. Gunderson East Funeral and Cremation Centers 5203 Monona Dr. (608) 221-5420

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on July 7, 2008

Obituary: Francis Gannon - Class of 1940

MIDDLETON - Francis Gannon, age 83, passed away on Wednesday, July 2, 2008. He was born on Aug. 12, 1924, in Madison, the son of Richard Gannon and Anne (Olson) Gannon Darling. Francis graduated from Central High School in 1940 and enlisted in the U.S. Navy in January 1941, after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. He served in the Pacific Theater throughout the war years, then attended college at UW-Madison, Purdue University, and Princeton College. He rejoined the Navy and served in the Korean War, then did shore duty at UW-Madison N.R.O.T.C. where he met his wife, Marilyn. His next Navy stint was on the Charles F. Adams, the first guided missile ship, built in Bath, Maine, where he was fire control technician for the Tartar Missile System for six years. His last shore duty was a Dam Neck, Va., where he taught the Tartar Missile System and subsequently retired from the Navy after 30 years of active duty. He and his family returned to his home city of Madison, where he continued to be a devoted Badgers and Packers fan. Francis is survived by his wife, Marilyn; three daughters, DeAnn (Dr. Jay) Meythaler of Grosse Pointe Farms, Mich., Suzann (Steven) Mattson of Mequon, and Jennifer (Daniel) Foelker of Middleton; and six grandchildren, Nicholaus and Andrew Meythaler, Ryan, Kathryn, and Richard Mattson, and Ava Foelker. Francis was preceded in death by his sister, Anne Lucille Jones; a brother, Michael Gannon; and an infant daughter. Funeral services will be held at GRACE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, 1 S. Rosa Road, Madison, at 2 p.m. on Monday, July 7, 2008, with the Rev. Theodore G. Gullixson presiding. Burial will be in Middleton Junction Cemetery, Middleton. Family and friends may call on Monday from 1 p.m. until the time of the service at the church. Gunderson West Funeral and Cremation Centers 7435 University Ave. (608) 831-6761

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on July 6, 2008