Obituary: Doster Robert "Doc" De Haven - Class of 1949

 MADISON  - Blow, Gabriel Blow. Beloved father, musician, and teacher, Doster Robert "Doc" De Haven Jr. [age  85], passed to heaven on Friday, Aug. 12, 2016, after a courageous battle with cancer. His rendition of "Basin Street Blues" accompanied him and his loving family on his final procession at Agrace HospiceCare in the early morning hours.  Doc was the first child of Edith Viola (Heath) and Doster Robert "Doc" De Haven Sr., born on June 20, 1931, in Madison, Wis. He attended Central High School, and graduated from the UW-Madison in 1958 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education. He served as a first sergeant in the U.S. Air Force from 1951 to 1953 in the 512th Air Force Band in Oklahoma. In August of 1955, Doc met the love of his life, Shirley "Lea" (Wesenberg). Their marriage of 60 years began only a few months after their first date.  Doc's passions were music and family, and he excelled at both. His career in music spanned more than four decades, beginning with the creation of the Doc De Haven Combo in 1955. Performing Dixieland and Jazz standards Doc and his band consistently filled venues with their great music and adoring jazz fans at the Pirate Ship, the Union South and Memorial Union of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the Edgewater and Concourse Hotels, country clubs near and far, and countless Midwest area jazz festivals. They produced multiple albums, and played for generations of weddings and receptions. Doc actively participated in the Madison area music scene by performing with other musicians and mentoring up-and-coming artists. He created the Doc De Haven Booking Agency that Lea managed as secretary, accountant, and president. He was a member of the Madison Municipal City Band and the Madison Jazz Society. He was honored in 1990 as the Isthmus Jazz Personality of the Year, named in 2001 by Madison Magazine as one of the Legends of Madison, and given a lifetime achievement in 2014 by MAMA (the Madison Area Music Awards).  Doc extended his legacy as a music educator. Doc taught music and band at Monona Grove High School for 32 years. His mentorship continued beyond high school as he taught private lessons for students entering state and national competitions many years after he retired from the academic world. He inspired new generations to love and pursue music in their lives.  To continue to support new talent, in 1981 Doc worked with the Erle Smith family to establish the Erle Smith-Doc De Haven Music Clinic Scholarship Fund to support middle school and high school students attending this long-standing summer music camp at the UW-Madison, and to honor his dear friend and band mate, Erle Smith. In 2011, Doc and Lea established the 'Doc and Lea De Haven Music Excellence Award' at the UW-Madison School of Music, to support undergraduate music performance majors, with preference given to those studying trumpet and/or jazz.  The passion Doc had for music was matched only by the love and joy he shared with his family. Doc loved his wife and children, adored his grandchildren and cherished his great-grandchildren. He fostered, mentored and inspired his children, nephews and grandchildren to create bands of their own from The Third Generation to A Touch of Class. Daughter Kelly and son-in-law David (Cooper) developed successful careers in the music industry, and grandson John De Haven is pursuing his own music career. Doc eagerly gave his grandchildren and great-grandchildren piano lessons, and cheered on all of their interests and activities. Doc was the last one to go to bed and the first one to rise, waking his kids each morning with a song and demonstrating his "latest jig" (which annoyed them to no end). They also remember his favorite quote on their family trips across country in a station wagon - a few minutes into each destination stop; "OK, the bus is leaving" … Forever on the go, he would remind us that, "The Old Double D was the Coolest of the Cool." There was never a dull moment. Doc and Lea created a home filled with love, music, and mayhem.  Doc is survived by his wife; children, Brad (Julie), Kelly (David Cooper), Burt, Darcy (Rich Beld), Stacy (Rich Darrow), Nina (Jeff Gaby); grandchildren, Amber Ostrom, John De Haven, Spencer De Haven, Jacob De Haven, Kiley De Haven, Connor De Haven, Mattie De Haven, Skye Cooper, Austin Gaby, Zachary (Alyssa) Wallace, Justin Wallace, Rainey (Justin) Oliver, Bryan Wallace; great-grandchildren, Azure Shaw, Sienna Shaw, Jhett Jordan, Rylee Wallace, Madison Wallace, Missy Oliver; sisters, Joyce Pickarts and Ardith (John) Thomas; brother-in-law, Ken Wesenberg; sister-in-law, Joyce (Dale) Boness; Donna Lavick-Wesenberg; and many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Stephen Craig Wallace from a previous marriage; brothers-in-law, Ray (Joyce) Pickarts and Gary (Jean) Smith; sisters-in-law Jean Smith, and Jan (Ken) Wesenberg; daughter-in-law, Norma De Haven; and nephews, Tony Wesenberg and Eric Thomas.  Visitation will be held at GOOD SHEPHERD LUTHERAN CHURCH, 5701 Raymond Road, Madison, Wis., from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 19, 2016, with a musical service immediately following. In lieu of flowers, the family would be honored to have your support of a donation to The Doc and Lea De Haven Music Excellence Award, through the UW Foundation, Fund No. 12617236; the Erle Smith-Doc De Haven Music Clinic Scholarship, Fund No. 1262798; Good Shepherd Lutheran Church; or to Agrace HospiceCare, 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Fitchburg, Wis.

Doc De Haven's class year is based on information in the 1949 Tychoberahn yearbook, where he is pictured among the graduating seniors.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on August 13, 2016. Submitted by Michael Vahldieck (Class of 1968).

Obituary: Victoria "Vickie" (Prince) Rojo - Class of 1967

MADISON - Victoria "Vickie" (Prince) Rojo [age 67], loving mother of three, died peacefully surrounded by loved ones on Saturday, July 16, 2016, at Karmenta Nursing Home. She was born in Rice Lake, Wis., on Aug. 5, 1948, the daughter of Amy (Scherz) Shohet and Stacer Prince. She was a lifetime resident of Madison, a 1967 graduate of Madison Central High School and she attended Edgewood College. Vickie worked in nursing and health insurance throughout her life, retiring from WPS after 10 years. She was a selfless woman who shared her love of baking and cooking with those in need, offering a home cooked meal, a shoulder to cry on or a filled Christmas stocking. Always there for others, her children and grandchildren were her focus and she worked hard to support them. She will be sorely missed. Vickie is survived by her mother, Amy; her siblings, Robert (Lori) Prince, Lena Shohet and Zev (Neelika) Shohet; her daughters, Cecilia, Selina and Angelica Rojo; and seven grandchildren, Kiya, Dominic, Dezmen, Victoria, Jason, Christopher and Caden. She was preceded in death by her father, Stacer Prince; and brother, William Prince. Respects may be made during burial services at FOREST HILL CEMETERY, 1 Speedway Road, Madison, at 11 a.m., on Friday, July 22, 2016.

 Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on July 20, 2016. Submitted by Michael Vahldieck (Class of 1968)

Obituary: Edwin Hill, Jr. - Class of 1951

MADISON - Edwin Hill Jr. [age 82] passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 31, 2016, at UW Hospital surrounded by his family. Born Jan 8, 1934, in Madison, he was the one and only son of Edwin and Charlyne (Daniels) Hill. Ed graduated from Central High School in 1951. For a short time, he ran a crane for a steel construction company. He started working at Anchor S & L in 1962. He became Vice President of Property Management and retired after 39 years. Ed was the second African-American to be a city alderman. He was a bus driver for the Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corp for 27 years; member of the WPS Board of Directors for 37 years; Chairman of Dane Co. American Red Cross; served on Madison General Hospital Board of Directors; founding member of Group Health Cooperative; served on Dane County Coliseum Board; member of Capital City Lodge No. 2. He was a Badgers football, hockey and Packers fan. He enjoyed photography, playing Spider Solitaire and driving his red Corvette. He is survived by his wife Barbara; sons, Edwin III (Marchel) and James (Rhonda); daughters, Lisa (Jeffrey) Goldsby and Linda (Rich) Real; step-children, Kristi (Jay) Morgan, Kent (Lona) Sheeran and Kurtis (Lisa) Sheeran; grandchildren, Arianna (Terrial) Campbell, Amanda (fiancé Dwayne) and Jeffrey Goldsby; step-grandchildren, Brandi Sheeran, Taylor Morgan, Kaley Morgan, Tyler Sheeran, Emily Sheeran, Landon Sheeran, Kaiden Sheeran and Kaci Sheeran; great-grandchildren, Taryn, Alyse and Wesley Campbell, Jeffrey III and Noriah Goldsby; sisters, Beverley (Al), Colinthia, Freddie Mae, Evelyn (Joe), Bernetta (Johnny), Charlyne, Elaine and Diane (Tony); many nieces and nephews; and many friends and other relatives. He is preceded in death by his parents; two nieces and a nephew. A celebration of his life will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, June 6, 2016, at BLACKHAWK CHURCH, 9620 Brader Way, Middleton, Wis. Visitation will be Sunday, June 5, 2016, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at CRESS CENTER, 6021 University Ave., Madison, Wis. with a Masonic Celebration at 5:30 p.m. A special thanks to the staff at the UW Intensive Care Unit for their wonderful care of Ed. Also special thanks to the paramedics of Fire Station No. 7 for their efforts. Memorials can be made to National Kidney Foundation or American Diabetes Assn.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on Sunday, June 5, 2016. Submitted by Michael Vahldieck (Class of 1968). Photograph of Ed Hill courtesy of Mona Winston (Class of 1969).

Obituary: Charline Bernadette Browning Stevens - Class of 1946

MADISON - Charline Bernadette Browning Stevens was in this life from Jan. 31, 1928, until April 27, 2016. Bernadette was born in Madison, the fifth and last surviving child of C. Bernard Browning and Patricia Bridget (Manion) Browning's seven children. Growing up on the edge of the Greenbush neighborhood, she was the quintessential "townie," even having graduated from Central High School, 1946. She was wont to find a way to figure out a Madison connection between herself and family and many of the people she met. This is a penchant she passed along to her children and grandchildren.

Bernadette was fond of saying she had had a good life. It also was punctuated with periods of great happiness, especially being a part of the daily life of many of her grandchildren to whom she was "Grams." She placed a high value on maintaining a sense of humor and not taking oneself too seriously.

Bernadette worked as a bartender, waitress, and for several state agencies. She retired nearly 25 years ago from the Wisc. Department of Veterans Affairs. She lived alone and independently until Jan., 2016, and, as if to have one last laugh, this feisty, strong-willed woman moved toward her final journey quietly.

Some of the rules for getting along with Bernadette were: always be courteous to the waitress, do not be a picky eater, back the car into the driveway, and vote Democrat.

Bernadette is survived by her children, Janet Stevens, Tom (Mimi) Stevens, Mike (Nancy) Stevens, Patty Stevens Blum, David Stevens (Wei Han), and Carol Stevens. Her daughter, Jean "Beanie" Stevens predeceased her in 1994. Also surviving her are 14 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren; her former husband and his wife, Ray and Mary Stevens; and many nieces and nephews.

For many years Bernadette enjoyed hosting a gathering at her place on the Memorial Day weekend. Her family will celebrate her life in this traditional. Please join us on Saturday, May 28, 2016, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at 2545 Hoard St., Madison, Wis.

If you wish to make a memorial to Bernadette, please consider one of these organizations (which are special to a number of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren): Autumn Farm Sanctuary, P.O. Box 188, Cedarburg, WI 53012 or NESYB [North-East-Sherman Youth Basketball], P.O. Box 7751, Madison, WI 53707-7751.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on May 22, 2016. Submitted by Michael Vahldieck (Class of 1968).

Obituary: Patrick J. Corcoran - Class of 1966

MADISON - Patrick J. Corcoran, age 68, of Friendship, Wis., surrounded by family passed away Tuesday, May 3, 2016, at Wm. S. Middleton Memorial VA Hospital in Madison. Patrick was born Dec. 7, 1947, in Madison, to Richard and Hannah Corcoran. He married Gloria J. McVay-Crapp on May 21, 1999, in Arkdale, Wis. Patrick graduated from Central High School in 1966. He enlisted in the United States Navy on Aug. 17, 1966, serving two terms in Vietnam. He was honorably discharged on Dec. 12, 1972. Patrick enjoyed spending time with his family and watching and interacting with his grandchildren's, and nieces & nephews sporting events. He loved coaching youth football in the Madison and Mauston areas. He also enjoyed volunteering his time helping his fellow veterans. Patrick was a member of the VFW, American Legion, and Arkdale Trinity Lutheran Church. Patrick is survived by his wife, Gloria Corcoran of Friendship; son, Kevin Corcoran of Necedah, son, Robert Corcoran of Sun Prairie, daughter, Rebecca Corcoran of Pardeeville, and son, Richard (Jody) Corcoran of Conroe, Texas; stepdaughter, Robin (Chris) Lindner of Dodgeville, stepson, Steven (Crystal) Crapp of Belmont, stepson, Jon Crapp of Friendship; 20 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; brother, Tim (Jeri) Corcoran of Madison; brother, Mike (Sue) Corcoran of Madison; sister, Jeanne (Rick) Klongland of Sun Prairie. Patrick was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Hannah Corcoran. Memorial services will be 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 14, 2016, at the ARKDALE TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH in Arkdale. Pastor Terri Skildum will officiate. Visitation will be 12 noon until the time service on Saturday at ARKDALE TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH. A celebration of life will be held at the VFW Post 7591, 301 Cottage Grove Road, Madison, WI 53716 on May, 25, 2016, from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m. Patrick's family would like to especially thank Dr. Adams and the staff at the Wm S. Middleton Memorial VA Hospital in Madison for all of their wonderful care. Roseberry's Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on May 10, 2016. Submitted by Michael Vahldieck (Class of 1968).

Obituary: Susan J. Prouty - Class of 1967

ALBUQUERQUE / MADISON [Wisconsin] - Suli (Susan) J. Prouty, age 66, daughter of Dr. Lawrence Richard and Margaret (Martin) Prouty, sister of Rick, Mark and Doug (deceased), aunt of Lee and Tim, passed away on Sunday, April 3, 2016, in Albuquerque, N.M. She grew up in Madison but spent many years in Albuquerque. Services will be held at St. Michaels Episcopal Church, Albuquerque.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on April 10, 2016. Submitted by Michael Vahldieck (Class of 1968)

Obituary: Michael DuBois - Class of 1962

JANESVILLE - Michael DuBois, age 72, died on Sunday April 3, 2016 at his home surrounded by family. He was born on Aug. 19, 1944 to Errol “Joe” and Evelyn DuBois, and graduated from Madison Central High School in 1962.

Michael was passionate about music and was a member of the Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps and, the Wisconsin Marching Band. He and his first wife, Janalyn Kinder, were married in 1965. Together they raised miniature dachshunds, showing them at field trials throughout the country as members of the Badger Dachshund Club. Hockey was also an activity that Michael enjoyed, including being a referee for youth hockey games. Michael was employed at Oscar Mayer Foods for 30 years in the plant. He later worked for Mounds Pet Food Warehouse where he met his second wife Pamela whom he married in 2000. Other part time jobs included delivering papers for the Wisconsin State Journal, delivering parts for CARQUEST, and working at Blain’s Supply Warehouse. Favorite activities for Michael were fishing, golfing, travel, sports, and just spending time with his family, grandchildren and dogs. Michael had a keen eye and special knack for capturing special moments wherever he went; taking photos of everything he found beautiful or interesting.

Michael is survived by his wife Pamela and her four sons – Mike, Heath, Kyle, and Lucas; a daughter, Kim (Michael) of Monona; two sons, Scott of Phoenix and Randall of Seattle; two sisters, Trish (Tim) O’Neil of Madison, and Kathy (Jeff) Fujan of Poplar; a brother, Jerry (Linda) of Madison; 5 grandchildren and other relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents.

A memorial service to celebrate Michael’s life will be held on Friday, April 8, 2016, at 12 noon, at All Faiths Funeral Chapel, 1618 E. Racine St. in Janesville. A visitation will be held at 11 a.m. until the time of service at the chapel.

Originally published on the All Faiths Funeral and Cremation Services website. Submitted by Jan Kinder DuBois.

Obituary: Thomas J Hoffman - Class of 1965

MADISON - Thomas J. Hoffman, age 68, passed away on Sunday, Jan. 31, 2016, while on vacation in Orlando, Fla., from complications of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. Tom was born on Aug. 26, 1947, in Madison, Wis., the son of Rupert and Lillian (Warzeka) Hoffman. He graduated from Central High School, class of 1965. Tom worked at Engineering Industries in Verona, Wis., for almost 40 years. He loved going to the movies, finding out about his ancestry, and going on vacation, especially Disney Cruises. Tom spent most of his free time adoring his great-great-nephews, Dontay and Jordan (whom resided with him). Survivors include his sister, Diane Imhoff and brother, Jeff (Diane) Hoffman; nieces and nephews, Doug, Pam (Randi), Vicky (William), and Shawna (Eric); great-nieces and nephews, Ryan, Brandon, Jessica, Alicia (Spencer), Brittany, Justin, Briana, Sandra, Kyle, Maguire, Beckett, and Declan; great-great-niece and nephews, Dontay, Dionna, Jordan, Laila, Rylee, and Sam; and many cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Rupert and Lillian; sister, Sandra; and niece, Kristi. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. BERNARD CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2450 Atwood Ave., Madison, on Friday, Feb. 12, 2016, at 11 a.m. with Father Michael Radowicz officiating. A visitation will be held at RYAN FUNERAL HOME, 2418 N. Sherman Ave. in Madison, on Thursday, Feb. 11, 2016, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Another visitation will take place at the church on Friday from 10 a.m. until the time of service. Burial will be held at Highland Memory Gardens.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on February 7, 2016. Submitted by Michael Vahldieck (Class of 1968)

Obituary: Steven M. Fix - Class of 1965

MADISON - Steven M. Fix, age 69, passed away on Sunday, Jan. 31, 2016. He was born Jan. 11, 1947, in Madison, the son of Phillip and Eileen (Runey) Fix. He graduated from Central High School in 1965 and from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in 1969 majoring in History with minors in Geography and Secondary Education. He earned a Masters of Science in Cartography from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1976.

Steve taught history classes at Tomah High School from 1969 to 1974. While at Tomah, Steve met Mary Fonstad. They were married on April 1, 1972. Steve taught geography at Southern Connecticut State College in New Haven Connecticut from 1976 and 1977 and worked for the Department of Defense in St. Louis, Mo., from 1977 to 1978.

Steve began a 30 year career with the State of Wisconsin in 1979 working on environmental issues with the Department of Natural Resources, Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection and the Public Service Commission. He continued to be active in the environmental arena after retirement working on a water resource management plan, a lake restoration project, and rain gardens. He was a citizen member of three City of Madison committees: the Board of Public Works, Long Range Transportation Planning Committee, and was Chair of the City's Committee on the Environment.

Steve had lifelong interests in Russian history, maps of all kinds, water resources, traveling back roads, visiting major and minor league baseball parks, birding, hiking in the woods, singing in the symphony and opera choruses and getting to wear great hats in opera productions, being kind to cats and dogs, playing sheepshead and bridge and chocolate desserts (without peanut butter, please).

Steve is survived by his wife of 43 years, Mary; children, Peter Fix and Ann (Fix) Taillon; grandchildren, Kyria and Liam Taillon; mother, Eileen Fix; brother, Stanley Fix; and sister, Linda (Fix) Guerin. He was preceded in death by his father, Phillip Fix.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 6, 2016, at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison. A visitation will be from 1 p.m. until the time of the service on Saturday at the funeral home. The family invites you for dessert and coffee immediately following the service at the funeral home.

Those wishing to express their sympathy with a memorial may wish to consider contributing to Opera for the Young, Madison Community Foundation, Foundation for Madison Public Schools, Madison Urban Ministry or Second Harvest.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on February 2, 2016. Submitted by Sidney Iwanter (Class of 1967).

Obituary: Michael N. Meddings - Class of 1968

MADISON - Michael Norris Meddings, age 67, of Madison, passed away on Thursday evening, Sept. 18, 2014, at Agrace HospiceCare, following a lengthy battle with cancer. He was born on Dec. 4, 1947, in Madison, the middle son of William T. and Agnes M. (Lovick) Meddings. He grew up in the Isthmus and graduated from Madison Central High School in 1967. He enlisted in the U.S. Army following high school and served a total of four years on active duty including service in Germany and two tours in Vietnam with the 101st Airborne Division. While in Vietnam, he was awarded a Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Clusters, (two awards), an Air Medal, and two Army Commendation Medals. He was an active member of VFW Post 8483 and American Legion Post 481. After completing his military service he returned to Madison, attending school for a brief time on the GI Bill before securing employment with the City of Madison Streets Department. He retired from City employment in 2002, but not before acquiring the nickname "Squirrel", a moniker which persisted long after his retirement. He was a friend to all he worked with, a proud Union member, and enjoyed getting together with fellow retirees at numerous "social clubs" on the east side. His true legacy will remain the love and care he provided his mother, whom he visited on a daily basis until her passing in 2011. He is survived by the "love of his life", Jean Robinson of Madison; his canine companions, "PJ", "Gizmo" and "Mr. Pugsly"; brother, William T. (Jillaine) Meddings of Cross Plains; sister, Sonja L. Hildestad of Madison; brother, Mark P. Meddings of Sun Prairie; as well as five nephews, three nieces and a host of friends too numerous to count. He was preceded in death by both parents, a grandnephew and too many of his fellow serving soldiers. Funeral services will be held at RYAN FUNERAL HOME, 2418 N. Sherman Ave., Madison, on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2014, at 7 p.m., with pastor Chad Christensen presiding. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 4 p.m. until the time of service. Interment will be with his parents in the mausoleum at Roselawn Memorial Park in Madison. This will be a private service for family and close friends. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Agrace HospiceCare or the Dane County Humane Society. A celebration of Mike's life will be held at a later date at VFW Post 8483. The family would like to thank the staff at University Hospital in Madison and especially the staff at Agrace HospiceCare for their care and compassion. We are blessed to have these wonderful resources here in Madison. Special thanks to dear friends, Jim and Patty Back, who accommodated all of his needs for transportation, love and companionship during the most difficult days of his struggle. "It is strange how one can feel both at the same time. My life, in a physical sense, is truly insignif- icant. As a tiny finite in all mea- sures compared to the infinite, I'm insignificant. At the same time, I can feel significance in be- ing linked to the infinite power, knowledge, love and presence of the Lord. Being personally known by and having interaction with the Creator brings significance. I didn't deserve the status of such significance, I didn't earn it. At best, I simply yielded to a role that I didn't fully understand in life. Understanding that one has a role in something infinite is a source of peace. My physical body felt the effects of age and disease. My mental being was prone to taking leaves of absence. My spiritual being is feeling rather healthier."

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on September 21, 2014. Submitted by Michael Vahldieck (Class of 1968).

Note: The graduation year given in the obituary may be incorrect. Mike Meddings is listed as a member of the Class of 1968 in both the Tychoberahn yearbook and the 1968 list of Madison Central High School graduates published in The Capital Times.