Obituary: Clayton Parman - Class of 1949

MADISON - Our family lost a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend on Dec. 14, 2010. Clayton Parman Jr. [age 79] passed away at St. Mary's Hospital surrounded by his family. Clayton was born on April 20, 1931, the son of Clayton and Janice (Jordan) Parman Sr. He graduated from Madison Central High School in 1949, where he met his wife. He faithfully served our country in the Korean War, and returned to Madison. In 1953 he began working full-time for his father at the family business on Monroe Street in Madison, Parman's Service Station. His commitment and loyalty to the family business continued for more than 55 years. He will be remembered for his ever-constant sense of humor which kept his friends and family in laughter. One of his greatest gifts was in creating smiles. "Junior" also had a special quality in putting others needs above his own. This quality affected friends, family and strangers in life-changing ways. We have truly all been blessed to have had him in our lives. Our prayer is that we may pass on to others all the love, kindness and generosity that he has shown us over the past 79 years. We love you Junior! Left to honor his memory and remember his love are his wife of 55 years, Kathryn; his children, Suzanne, Tina, Laura, Ken (Theresa) and Gary (Carrie); his grandchildren, Kathryn, Rachel and Bailey; and his treasured brother, Keith (Devey); along with many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; and an infant grandchild, Clayton William Parman. Thanks to the staff at St. Mary's Hospital, and Christa Raymond from the heart failure clinic for making Clayton's recent stays more comfortable. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. JAMES CATHOLIC CHURCH, 1128 St. James Court, Madison on Saturday, Dec. 18, 2010, at 11 a.m. with Monsignor Thomas F. Baxter officiating. Burial will follow at Resurrection Cemetery. A visitation will be held at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison on Friday, Dec. 17, 2010, from 4 p.m. - 7 p.m., and at church on Saturday from 10 a.m. until time of the Mass. His family suggests that memorials in his honor include the American Heart Association. Cress Funeral and Cremation Service 3610 Speedway Road (608) 238-3434

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on December 16, 2010

Obituary: Antoniette "Toni" M. (Rane) Smith

MADISON - Antoniette "Toni" M. Smith, age 66, died Sunday, Dec. 5, 2010, at the Don and Marilyn Anderson Hospice Center.

She was born June 6, 1944, in Madison, the daughter of James and Mary Rane. She had been employed by the D S, State of Wisconsin for 20 years, retiring in 2000. Toni was a member of St. Bernard Catholic Church (and was a volunteer assisting with funeral luncheons), the Italian Women's Club and had been a volunteer at Meriter Hospital in-patient registration. In her spare time, she loved gardening, fishing, playing cards and cooking. On April 27, 1963, Toni was united in marriage with Roger Smith in Madison.

In addition to her husband, Roger, survivors include a daughter, Sue (Roger) Standorf of Prairie du Chien; a son, Randy Smith (girlfriend Jenny Scheib) of Madison; a brother, Joe (Leona) Rane of Madison; two sisters, Connie Dollard of Oregon, Wis. and Maryann Bachman of Madison; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents.

A Memorial Mass will be held at noon, Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2010, at ST. BERNARD CATHOLIC CHURCH 2450 Atwood Ave. with Monsignor Michael Hippee presiding. Friends may call from 10 a.m. until time of Mass. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Toni's name to Hospice Care, Cancer Research or to the family.

A special Thank You to all the staff at Meriter 8 Atrium and Hospice for all the compassionate and great care you provided to all of us. Informed Choice Funeral and Cremation Alternatives, 3325 E. Washington Ave., Madison (608) 249-6758

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on December 12, 2010 (submitted by Michael Vahldieck, Class of 1968)

Antoinette Smith's graduation year is based on information in the 1962 Tychoberahn yearbook, where she is pictured among the graduating seniors. It appears that her forname was mis-spelled in the obituary.

Obituary: Thomas Ralph Fuller - Class of 1945

LOUISVILLE, KY - Thomas Ralph Fuller, age 83 of Destin, Fla., formerly of Louisville, Ky., died on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2010, in the presence of his family.

Tom was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on April 14, 1927, and was raised in Madison. He graduated from Madison Central High School in 1945, where he lettered in track, basketball, and football. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1949. He began a career with the former Thomas Industries Inc. as a sales trainee in Fort Atkinson, in 1945, and progressed to the position of president, chief executive officer and board member of Thomas Industries, from which he retired in 1991. During his career he served as an executive committee member of the National Association of Electrical Distributors, chaired the Economic and Air Services Committee of the Louisville Chamber of Commerce, and was an executive committee member of Project 2000 for the City of Louisville. From 1988 to 1994, he was a member of the Board of Directors of the former National City Bank (First National Bank) during which time he served as a member of its executive committee and chaired its audit committee.

Tom married the former Jeannette Ellen Faust on June 24, 1948. She preceded him in death on October 31, 1999. In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Christine Ellen Fuller, and his parents.

He is survived by three sons, Michael (Kathy), Daniel (Alishia) and Christopher (Christa); nine grandchildren, Jennifer (Joseph Herring), Caroline, Thomas, Amanda, Brittany, Erin, Michael, Danielle and Megan; and a great-grandchild, Avery. He is also survived by his second wife, Betty Jo Cofer; his brother, Richard D. Fuller (Jan); and two sisters-in-law, Caryl Bremer (Howard) and Ellen Faust.

Visitation will be from noon to 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2010, at PEARSON FUNERAL HOME, 149 Breckenridge Lane, with a memorial service at Pearson Funeral Home immediately following the visitation. There will be a private family burial service on Monday, Dec. 6, 2010, at Cave Hill Cemetery. Memorial gifts may be made to Trinity High School, 4007 Shelbyville Road, Louisville, KY 40207.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on December 5, 2010