Obituary: Kay (Rogers) Berthelsen - Class of 1963

MIDDLETON-  Kay (Rogers) Berthelsen passed away on December 4, 2013 from complications of COPD at the age of 68. She was born in Madison on April 28, 1945 and was a lifelong resident of the city, raised by her mother, Eleanor and grandmother, Catherine.

Kay graduated from Central High School in 1963 and attended UW-Madison. She worked in office management for several law firms around the city. She was the co-owner of Morgan's Bar. She moved on to the Morris Heifitz Recycling Company which she managed for many years and then purchased and successfully operated until her retirement in 1996.

She met the great love of her life in 1991 and eventually married John Berthelsen in 1995. They enjoyed travel and wonderful times together, especially at their second home in Las Vegas where she spent winters for four of her last years. She was preceded in death by her mother, father and brother Mike. She is survived by her husband John, daughter Kim, step-daughter Angie, step-son Derek and grandchildren Merissa, Kelsy, Elias, Sawyer, Emmitt and Finnegan. Visitation will be held at the Cress Center, 6021 University Ave., Madison, WI 53705 from 9 to 11 on Saturday, December 7. A celebration of Kayʼs life will be held at 11:00, followed by a light lunch at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Meriter Foundation.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on December 5, 2013. Submitted by Michael Vahldieck (Class of 1968).

Obituary: JoAnn Shirley (Kinder) Gray - Class of 1967

MADISON - Joann Shirley Gray, age 64, passed away Nov. 30, 2013, after a very long struggle with temporal lobe dementia. She was born Feb. 9, 1949, in Stoughton, daughter of Clifford and Shirley (Stickle) Kinder. Joann married Terry Gray on July 28, 1984, in Madison. She graduated from Central High School in 1967. After high school, Joann worked at WPS for nearly 20 years. Later she worked for Oscar Mayer and then Kraft Foods. Joann enjoyed crafts, flower gardening and interior design.

She is survived by her loving husband of 29 years Terry Gray; children, Troy Clifcorn and Melissa (Sean) Collins; grandchildren, Ashley (Cody) Welbig, Holley Schultz, Brok and Aspen Clifcorn, Kayley and Shelby Collins; sisters, Judy Schwoch and Janalyn Du Bois;and brothers, Jerry and Jim ( Deborah) Kinder. Joann was preceded in death by her parents. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m., Friday, Dec. 6, 2013, at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3325 East Washington, Madison. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2013, at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3325 East Washington, Madison.

Special thank you to Heartland Hospice and Karmenta for their compassionate care. 

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on December 3, 2013

Obituary: Edward Benjamin "E.B." Matthews - Class of 1941

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. / MADISON - Edward Benjamin "E.B." Matthews was born on Aug. 14, 1923, in Memphis Tenn., to Mamie (Taylor) Matthews and Olige Matthews. He went home to be with the Lord on Nov. 22, 2013, in Indianapolis, Ind., where he had lived for the past two years cared for by his daughter, Robin.

"E.B." retired from Oscar Mayer. He was an avid horseman and won many trophies and ribbons over the years at rodeos all over the country. He enjoyed watching the Green Bay Packers and Badgers football and loved attending the games whenever possible. He was the first Black Drum Major of the Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps when they were founded in 1938.

Edward is survived by his sister, Addrena Matthews-Squires and his beloved children, Ollie Lamont Matthews, Marlieta Matthews-Beckman (David), Robin Matthews (Daniel Pepmeier) and Edwina Matthews; stepchildren, David Davenport, Chuck (Millie) Cramer and Karen (Andy) Cramer-Blackburn; grandchildren, Anthony, Brian, Jeffrey, Syreeta, Cameron, Danielle, Gabriel, Hunter, Bret, Sarah; and great-grandchildren, Kadence, Jordan, Amari, Ameira, Angelica, Annabella, Bryan, Taylor, Samara, Dominic, Thavyah; and special niece, "Mona Jean" and many other friends and relatives. E.B. Matthews was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Edie Mae; sons, Edward (Buster) Matthews, and Charles Matthews; sisters, Willie Jo Withers Walker, Ollie Mae Matthews-Banks, Rose Lee Matthews-Abernathy, Beauty B. Boxley and brothers: F.C. Boxley, Walter Boxley, Charles Boxley; and granddaughter, Holly Cramer; and ex-wife, Mary E. Matthews.

His family is deeply appreciative of the care he received from the Nurses and Certified Nursing Assistants of Allisonville Meadows Rehabilitation Facility. We would especially like to thank Tori Benson who cared for him so lovingly at home. Arrangements made by Flanner and Buchanan-Carmel, Carmel, Indiana. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2013, at MOUNT ZION BAPTIST CHURCH, 2019 Fisher St., Madison, WI 53713. Family visitation 11 a.m. to noon and service at noon, the Rev. David Smith, officiating.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on December 1, 2013.

Note: The class year for "E.B." Matthews was provided by his niece, Mona Winston (Class of 1969), who said, "He was very proud of the fact he went to CHS."

Obituary: Sophie N. (Fatsis) Karabis - Class of 1937

MADISON - Sophie N. Karabis, age 94, of Madison, died on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2013, at Waunakee Manor with St. Jude Hospice care. She was a first generation American, born on March 1, 1919, to Nicholas and Katina (Teroupoulos) Fatsis, and was the eldest of four children. She attended Doty Grade School and graduated from Madison Central High School in 1937. While at Madison Central, she met her future husband, George Karabis (also a first generation born), and they married on July 9, 1939. In June of 1944, twins, Peter and Nick, were born.

Sophie's husband, George, and brother-in-law, Jim Karabis, owned and operated the Karabis bar, now the Harmony bar. Sophie worked retail for many years at Baron Brothers, Manchester's, Karsten's Men's Store, H.C. Prange, Borman's, and finally retired from Walgreen's on State Street in her 80's. She completed the Helena Rubenstein and Revlon training courses and took much satisfaction as a beauty advisor. Sophie enjoyed watching the Badgers and Packers and taking care of "the twins". She often went dancing at Club Chanticleer with friends from the old Greenbush neighborhood, especially best friends, Tom and Mini DiSalvo. She was proud of her twins' service in the Wisconsin National Air Guard, and took great joy in her grandsons and cooking Greek dishes for holidays and family gatherings.

Sophie is survived by her sons, Peter Karabis and Nick Karabis; grandsons, Matthew Karabis and Barrett Karabis; her brother, Sam Fatsis; sister, Georgia Fatsis, all of Madison; daughter-in-law, Virginia Gully; and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, George; brother, Gus; and daughter-in-law, Val Karabis. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2013, at ASSUMPTION GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH, 11 N. 7th St., Madison, with Father Michael Vanderhoef presiding. Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2013, at RYAN FUNERAL HOME, 2418 N. Sherman Ave., Madison. In lieu of flowers, please remember Waunakee Manor or St. Jude's Hospice. The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation and thanks to the many wonderful people who cared for Sophie during her stay there. To view and sign this guestbook, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com.  

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on December 5, 2013. Submitted by Michael Vahldieck (Class of 1968)

Obituary: Lyle Crary - Class of 1964

WEST ALLIS - Lyle E. Crary, age 67, of West Allis, passed away on Friday, Nov. 29, 2013, at his home. He was born on July 15, 1946, in Madison, the son of Wilson E. Crary and Camilla L. Olson. Lyle graduated from Central High School. He loved basketball, football, especially the Packers and NASCAR. Lyle enjoyed spending time with his family and trying his luck with the "claw machine" and winning stuffed animals. He had a great sense of humor, was known to be a practical joker, and enjoyed a good cup of coffee and anything sweet. He will be missed by his brother, Norris (Shirley) Crary; beloved nieces and nephews; and his roommate, Andy the cat. He was preceded in death by his parents. A Memorial Gathering to celebrate Lyle's life will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Dr., Madison, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 6, 2013. Lyle will be laid to rest at Button Cemetery next to his parents at a later date. The family wishes to thank the Compassionate Care of Hospice of West Allis, and special thanks to Connie and his nurses, Kim and Julie. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. 

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on December 1, 2013