Obituary: Victor Frank Leake - Class of 1944

MADISON/MONONA/OREGON - Victor Frank Leake, age 83, passed away on Sunday, Sept. 19, 2010, at Stoughton Hospital, after a stroke with major complications.

He was born on Nov. 29, 1926, the son of Earl and Ida (Huebner) Leake. Victor graduated from Madison Central High School in 1944. Victor proudly served in the Army Air Corps during World War II. He was united in marriage to Kathryn Jean Reddell on July 12, 1947. Victor was employed by the Wisconsin Telephone Company for 34 years, before early retirement in 1982. He was a lifelong resident of Madison/ Monona area, recently residing at Main Street Quarters in Oregon. Victor was an avid fan of the Badgers, Brewers and Packers and enjoyed traveling with his wife, Kathryn, especially to watch the Badgers play. Victor was a lifelong member of St. John's Lutheran Church, Madison, and a longtime member of The Telephone Pioneers of America, and the Elk's Lodge No. 410.

Victor is survived by, and will be greatly missed by, his loving wife of 63 years, Kathryn; children, Sandra Kaye (Gary) Shackelford of Oregon, Thomas Earl Leake (Margaret Toso) of Long Beach, Calif., and Tracey Jean (Fred) Kaltenberg of Sun Prairie; grandchildren, Rebecca (Fred) Clark of Oregon, Sara Cavanaugh (Clint Cockroft) of Monroe, Matthew and Michael Kaltenberg of Sun Prairie; two great-grandchildren, Bailey Clark and River Cockroft, who will miss their "Big Papa"; sister, Joyce (John) Skelly of Houston, Texas; sister-in-law, Gladys Leake of North Carolina, and many cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Earl Leake.

Private services will be held. Interment will be in Dodgeville, at a later date. Memorials may be made to Main Street Quarters Inc., 354 N. Main St., Oregon, WI 53575; HospiceCare Inc., 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Fitchburg, WI 53711 or Stoughton Hospital, 900 Ridge St., Stoughton, WI 53589.

A special thank you to the staff at Main Street Quarters Inc., HospiceCare of Janesville, and the staff at Stoughton Hospital for all their tender loving care.

Victor had the following thought in mind, "If you remember me, remember me for the good things that I have done, not the dumb ones."

Gunderson Stoughton, Funeral and Cremation Care; 1358 Highway 51;(608) 873-4590

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on September 26, 2010 (submitted by Michael Vahldieck, Class of 1968)

Barbara B. (Heiliger) Vogel - Class of 1939

MADISON - Our beloved Barbara B. Vogel, age 89, passed away on Sept. 22, 2010, at Hospice Care in Fitchburg. She was born on Aug. 2, 1921, in Steuben, Wis. and moved to Madison as a young girl. Barb graduated from Central High School in 1939. She was married in 1942 to the love of her life, Harold Vogel. Mom dedicated her life to Dad and her seven children. She was a wonderful example of care and compassion who taught us the true meaning of unconditional love. Thanks to mom we are blessed to carry on her legacy of love for those in our lives. Barb had many interests and passions which included gardening, sewing, baking, travel, reading the bible and her church family while retired in Orlando Fla. Mother's card making started out as a simple hobby and turned into a large full time ministry. Her handmade cards brought joy, encouragement and celebration to people's lives all over the country. Mom was a unique woman for her time. She did not like to shop but loved sports. When it came to sports, her knowledge and enthusiasm would earn her an announcer's job at ESPN. Mom is survived by her children, Christine Vogel, Dave Vogel, (Rebecca Rodriguez), Paul Vogel, Cynthia Johnson (Kenneth), James Vogel, William Vogel and Susan Duong; 15 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold Vogel; father, George and mother Nellie Heiliger; sisters, Margaret Whiting and Alice Thysse; brothers, Jim and Dud Heiliger. Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday Sept. 28, 2010, at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until time of service. Burial will be at Forest Hill Cemetery following a luncheon. We would like to thank the loving caregivers at St. Mary's Care Center and Hospice Care Inc. for the incredible way they blessed us all at the end of mom's life. Memorials may be given to St. John's Lutheran Church. Cress Funeral and Cremation Services 3610 Speedway Road (608) 238-3434

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on September 26, 2010 (submitted by Michael Vahldieck, Class of 1968)

Obituary: Barbara B. (Heiliger) Vogel - Class of 1939

MADISON - Our beloved Barbara B. Vogel, age 89, passed away on Sept. 22, 2010, at Hospice Care in Fitchburg.

She was born on Aug. 2, 1921, in Steuben, Wis. and moved to Madison as a young girl. Barb graduated from Central High School in 1939. She was married in 1942 to the love of her life, Harold Vogel. Mom dedicated her life to Dad and her seven children. She was a wonderful example of care and compassion who taught us the true meaning of unconditional love. Thanks to mom we are blessed to carry on her legacy of love for those in our lives. Barb had many interests and passions which included gardening, sewing, baking, travel, reading the bible and her church family while retired in Orlando Fla. Mother's card making started out as a simple hobby and turned into a large full time ministry. Her handmade cards brought joy, encouragement and celebration to people's lives all over the country. Mom was a unique woman for her time. She did not like to shop but loved sports. When it came to sports, her knowledge and enthusiasm would earn her an announcer's job at ESPN.

Mom is survived by her children, Christine Vogel, Dave Vogel, (Rebecca Rodriguez), Paul Vogel, Cynthia Johnson (Kenneth), James Vogel, William Vogel and Susan Duong; 15 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold Vogel; father, George and mother Nellie Heiliger; sisters, Margaret Whiting and Alice Thysse; brothers, Jim and Dud Heiliger.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday Sept. 28, 2010, at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until time of service. Burial will be at Forest Hill Cemetery following a luncheon. We would like to thank the loving caregivers at St. Mary's Care Center and Hospice Care Inc. for the incredible way they blessed us all at the end of mom's life. Memorials may be given to St. John's Lutheran Church.


Cress Funeral and Cremation Services, 3610 Speedway Road,(608) 238-3434

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on September 26, 2010

Obituary: Victor Frank Leake - Class of 1944

MADISON/MONONA/OREGON - Victor Frank Leake, age 83, passed away on Sunday, Sept. 19, 2010, at Stoughton Hospital, after a stroke with major complications.

He was born on Nov. 29, 1926, the son of Earl and Ida (Huebner) Leake. Victor graduated from Madison Central High School in 1944. Victor proudly served in the Army Air Corps during World War II. He was united in marriage to Kathryn Jean Reddell on July 12, 1947. Victor was employed by the Wisconsin Telephone Company for 34 years, before early retirement in 1982. He was a lifelong resident of Madison/ Monona area, recently residing at Main Street Quarters in Oregon. Victor was an avid fan of the Badgers, Brewers and Packers and enjoyed traveling with his wife, Kathryn, especially to watch the Badgers play. Victor was a lifelong member of St. John's Lutheran Church, Madison, and a longtime member of The Telephone Pioneers of America, and the Elk's Lodge No. 410.

Victor is survived by, and will be greatly missed by, his loving wife of 63 years, Kathryn; children, Sandra Kaye (Gary) Shackelford of Oregon, Thomas Earl Leake (Margaret Toso) of Long Beach, Calif., and Tracey Jean (Fred) Kaltenberg of Sun Prairie; grandchildren, Rebecca (Fred) Clark of Oregon, Sara Cavanaugh (Clint Cockroft) of Monroe, Matthew and Michael Kaltenberg of Sun Prairie; two great-grandchildren, Bailey Clark and River Cockroft, who will miss their "Big Papa"; sister, Joyce (John) Skelly of Houston, Texas; sister-in-law, Gladys Leake of North Carolina, and many cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Earl Leake.

Private services will be held. Interment will be in Dodgeville, at a later date. Memorials may be made to Main Street Quarters Inc., 354 N. Main St., Oregon, WI 53575; HospiceCare Inc., 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Fitchburg, WI 53711 or Stoughton Hospital, 900 Ridge St., Stoughton, WI 53589.

A special thank you to the staff at Main Street Quarters Inc., HospiceCare of Janesville, and the staff at Stoughton Hospital for all their tender loving care.

Victor had the following thought in mind, "If you remember me, remember me for the good things that I have done, not the dumb ones."


Gunderson Stoughton Funeral and Cremation Care, 1358 Highway 51, (608) 873-4590

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on September 26, 2010

Obituary: William W. "Bill" O'Connell - Class of 1955

MOUNT HOREB - William W. "Bill" O'Connell Jr., age 73, of Mount Horeb, died on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2010, at HospiceCare, Inc. in Fitchburg, surrounded by his family. He was born on March 20, 1937, to William W. Sr. and Margaret (Meuer) O'Connell. He attended Catholic schools and graduated from Madison Central High School in 1955. He was a United States Marine veteran. He owned and operated many businesses, including one with his son, Bob. He then joined Century 21 as a realtor. He married Karen A. Dybvig on Sept. 18, 1993, at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church by Father Donald Murray. Bill was a family man. Looking back, it especially seemed as if from the birth of his granddaughter, Tonya, she and Bill instantly became kindred spirits. That relationship matured over the years to become unique and special. They took many walks to her grade school playground, and Tonya showed a timeless devotion and compassionate, loving care to her grandpa. Tonya - please know that your acts of kindness brought great joy, love, and happiness to your Grandpa Bill. He was a member of St. Ignatius Catholic Church in Mount Horeb, and of the Knights of Columbus, where he was an officer. He was on the Mount Horeb Frolic Committee and was past president of the Village of Blue Mounds. He volunteered at the St. Martin's House in Madison. Survivors include his wife, Karen; his children, Bill (Mary) O'Connell of Waunakee, Deb (Jerry Buol) Darrow; his step-children, Denise (Steve) Webb of Middletown, Ohio, Derek (fiancé, Kristin) Kraemer of Stoughton, Dustin (Nicole) Kraemer of Mount Horeb; his grandchildren, Daniel (fiancé: Natalie) O'Connell, Tonya (Tom) Duerst, Shaun (Erin) O'Connell, Dalton O'Connell, Kelsey Darrow, Patrick O' Connell, Morgan Darrow, Caitin O'Connell; his step-grandchildren: Shelby, Rylee, and Sydnee Webb and Owen Kraemer,his great-grandchildren, Mackenzie, Maya and Mayce Duerst, his mother-in-law: Elaine Parker of Mount Horeb, and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; two sons, Danny and Robert O'Connell; and his sister, Margaret O'Connell. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 16, 2010, at ST. IGNATIUS CATHOLIC CHURCH in Mount Horeb, with Father Donald Murray officiating. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery in Mount Horeb. Friends may call from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2010, at the ELLESTAD CAMACHO FUNERAL HOME, 500 N. 8th St., Mount Horeb. The family would like to thank HospiceCare, Inc. for their wonderful care and compassion.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on September 14, 2010 (submitted by Michael Vahldieck, Class of 1968)

Obituary: James Patrick Conway - Class of 1939

MADISON/ MONTELLO - James Patrick Conway, age 90, of Madison, passed away on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2010, at Harmony Living Center, in Stoughton. He was born on Nov. 29, 1919, in Madison, the son of John and Hattie (Schroeder) Conway. He graduated with the class of 1939, from Central High School and proudly served in the U.S. Army during World War II. James married Laura E. Irons, in 1949. James worked at Madison Metro bus company from 1951, until retiring as a maintenance supervisor, in 1986. He was a great fisherman, hunter, gardener, and simply loved being outdoors. James enjoyed playing guitar, harmonica, and singing. He could fix anything and was always willing to help in any way he could. James is survived by his sons, James P. (Beverly) Conway Jr., and George Michael (Wanda) Conway; daughters, Sherry Lee Conway (Pat), Christi L. (James) Remsik, and Karen E. Conway; 18 grandchildren; 38 great-grandchildren; 20 great-great-grandchildren; and brothers, Thomas and Franklin D. Conway. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Laura, in 1997; grandsons, Rick Kramer and Mark Remsik; great-grandson, Charlie Kramer; three brothers; and six sisters. Funeral services will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at 11 a.m., on Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2010. Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park, with military rights being conducted. Visitation will be at the funeral home from 10 a.m. until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to HospiceCare Inc. A special thank you to Harmony Living Center in Stoughton, and HospiceCare Inc. Gunderson East Funeral and Cremation Care 5203 Monona Drive (608) 221-5420

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on September 14, 2010 (submitted by Michael Vahldieck, Class of 1968)