Obituaries

James “Jim” D. Miles, 92, of Fort Atkinson passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at his home surrounded by his family. Nitardy Funeral Home has been entrusted with Jim’s care.

Sharlene Ruth (nee Stone) Chapman, 84, of Whitewater, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully at Agrace Hospice on September 11, 2026.

Born in Whitewater to Ralph Edward Stone and Eleanor Bernice (nee Jacobs) Stone. Sharlene graduated from Whitewater High School in 1961; she attended vocational secretarial school and began working as a blueprint secretary at Creamery Package in Fort Atkinson. It was there that she met the love of her life, design engineer George Chapman. Sharlene quickly captured his heart—delivering morning pastries and always saving George’s favorite for him, a sweet gesture that earned her the lifelong nickname “Sweets.”

Sharlene and George were married at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Whitewater on June 20, 1964. She served as the Register of Deeds for Jefferson County until 1967, when she chose to devote her life full-time to raising her family.

Family was everything to Sharlene. She was the ultimate mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who gave endlessly to those she loved. She was kind to everyone and had a gift of making people feel genuinely special.

Sharlene embraced life with tireless energy and simple and joyful traditions grounded in faith and love.  Sharlene’s feet were always moving whenever music was playing. She and George routinely lit up the floor at the Whitewater American Legion Hall.  Active to her core, she loved fishing, biking, swimming, water aerobics, and paddleboarding right up into her final months. She especially adored playing sports and games with her grandchildren, teaching them to tie their shoes, helping them learn to ride bikes, encouraging them, and simply being their devoted grandma.

Sharlene was preceded in death by her beloved husband, George Earl Chapman, and her sisters, Shirley (John) Hapka and Sharon (Tony) Hapka.

She is survived by her four children: George Michael (Rhonda) Chapman, DeAnna (Brian) Brunner, Mary (Lance) Berg, and Gina (Jim) Foucault.

She also leaves behind eight grandchildren: Nicholas (Katie) Chapman, Mikhayla (Collin) Clayton, Logan (LaVan) Glenn, George Ethan Chapman, Anna (Nate) Hayworth, Sara Foucault, Jonathan (Hailey) Brunner, and Sierra (Mathew) Lucht; as well as eight great-grandchildren: Avi, Atlee, and Lindy Glenn, Ryder, Lily, and Dawson Chapman, and Calvin and Miles Hayworth.

In addition to Sharlene’s immediate family, she leaves behind a large and loving community of extended relatives and friends who will miss her presence dearly.  

Her warm generous spirit, and unwavering devotion to her family will be deeply missed. In accordance with Sharlene’s wishes, her family will host a mass at 3:00 pm on Friday, October 23, 2026, at St Patrick Church in Whitewater. Immediately following the mass 4:30 – 9:00 pm the family invites guests to a celebration at the Creamery 201 in Fort Atkinson. Sharlene believed life was meant to be lived fully and one of the things she loved to do was dance. Let’s fill the room with the same joy and love Sharlene gave all of us. Come dance, raise a glass, and share memories.

Nitardy Funeral Home – Whitewater has been entrusted with Sharlene’s care.

Sally A. Schutte, age 73, of Whitewater, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on September 21, 2026, while at Hearthstone Memory Care in Whitewater.

Sally was born on November 6, 1952, to Roy and Elsie (Rohloff) Haas. Sally married William Schutte in the spring of 2003.

Sally grew up on the family farm in the Town of Hebron and graduated from Jefferson High School. She dedicated nearly her entire career to Fort HealthCare, where her hard work and versatility shone through various roles. Over the years, she served in housekeeping and medical records, Center for Dermatology. Sally also worked as a medical office receptionist for Dr. Donald E. Bates, who was a Family Practice Physician in the Fort Atkinson community.

Sally loved to spend time with her children and grandchildren. She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Fort Atkinson. She was a woman of Christian faith, and her beliefs were central to the way she lived each day. She found strength in her relationship with God and took comfort in the values of kindness, humility, and perseverance. Throughout her life, Sally embodied the values expressed in Colossians 3:12: “Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”

Among her many creative talents and hobbies, Sally enjoyed basketry and stained-glass work, and she loved immersing herself in a good book. An admirer of the outdoors, she cherished quiet moments in nature, finding a peaceful retreat from daily routines in the simple joy of birdwatching. She also found great joy in visiting flea markets with her husband, Bill; together, they shared a love for the “treasure hunt,” searching out unique pieces and hidden bargains.

Sally will be deeply missed by her family: husband, William Schutte of Whitewater; daughter, Kara (Jake) Hagen of Fort Atkinson; son, Jeremy Johnson of Jefferson; stepdaughter, Heather (Luke) Bell of Greenfield; stepson, Kyle Schutte; grandchildren, Gabriel and Chloe Hagen, Katelyn, Aaron, and Reece Johnson, Ethan and Brendan Scholz; nieces, Jennifer (Troy) Clauer of Whitewater and Katie (Shad) Ladell of Oregon; nephew, Kevin (Sarah) Haas of Deerfield; good friend Alice (Donald) Engling, as well as many other relatives and friends.

Sally was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Roy Haas; half-sister, Viola (Arnold) Grosenick; half-brother, Orley Fletcher; and niece, Laura Jacobson of Jefferson.

Memorial Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 1, 2026, at Nitardy Funeral Home, 550 N. Newcomb St., Whitewater, WI 53190, from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM.

Nitardy Funeral Home of Whitewater is proudly serving the family.

Zachariah “Zach” Schoenke, 41, of Whitewater passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 22, 2026. 

He was born April 4, 1985, to Keith W. Schoenke and Kathleen Schoenke in Fort Atkinson, WI. He grew up and graduated from Whitewater High School in 2003. Zach worked various jobs over the years but was currently working at Cracker Barrel in Janesville. He was a big Packers Fan and liked to play fantasy football. He enjoyed reading, cooking, and watching horror shows. Zach fiercely loved his son, Lincoln, his sisters, Cami and Cary, his mom and stepdad, and his aunt Robin. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.  

Those Zach leaves behind to cherish his memory include his son, Lincoln Schoenke; his parents, Larry and Kathy Meyer; his two sisters, Cami Gregoire and Cary Gregoire; his aunt Robin Schuette; other relatives and friends.  

He was preceded in death by his father, Keith Schoenke. 

VISITATION: The family will greet relatives and friends on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at the Nitardy Funeral Home, 550 North Newcomb St., Whitewater from 11:30 a.m. until 1:15 p.m. 

SERVICE: A Funeral Service in remembrance of Zach will be at the funeral home on Tuesday at 1:30 p.m., with burial to follow at Hillside Cemetery. 

The Nitardy Funeral Home – Whitewater has been entrusted with Zach’s arrangements.

Carla Winn, 82, died September 5, 2026.

Funeral Service will be at 12:00 PM, Saturday, September 12, 2026, at East Heights United Methodist Church, 4407 E Douglas Ave, Wichita, KS 67218, followed by a burial at 2:00 PM at White Chapel Memorial Garden 1806 N Oliver Ave.

Carla is preceded in death by her parents, Vivian Dwight and Wilma Lois Krehbiel; and sister, Jennifer Krehbiel.

She is survived by husband, Stephen; daughter, Ashley (Clint) Gagel, of Overland Park; siblings, Paul (Kay) Krehbiel, of Socorro, NM, Lynn (Bill) Oetting, of Wichita, Ellen (John) Querner, of Wichita, Teresa Woodson, of Lawrence, KS, Vinson (Vickie) Krehbiel, of Wichita, Donna Montgomery, of Horse Shoe, NC; grandchildren, Tyler, Andrew, and Jackson Gagel who she loved immensely and was their biggest cheerleader.

Carla will be dearly missed by so many groups of friends, neighbors, golf club ladies’ group, the Wichita Eagle, her bowling group, bridge group, and many others as she always made time for the fun things in life.

A memorial has been established with: East Heights United Methodist Church, 4407 East Douglas Avenue, Wichita, KS 67218,

Services in care of Downing & Lahey Mortuaries — East Wichita.

Susan Miller Celebration of Life

There will be a gathering of friends and acquaintances at Susan’s Farm Store to celebrate Susan’s life on Saturday, September 19th from 2-5 p.m. at N6623 Lake Lorraine Rd., Delavan, Wisconsin

Our loving mother, JoAnn E Harrop, age 95, passed away on September 11, 2026. Our sorrow is deep, but we are filled with gratitude for the many years we had with her. Even as her mind was failing, she remained strong and appreciative of all who cared for her. JoAnn was born on January 13, 1931, daughter to Fred Braun and Evelyn Braun {Storck). 

She was raised in Whitewater, Wisconsin by her grandparents, Otto and Edith Storck. She attended Whitewater High School and helped at the Storck tavern where she met her husband Earl C. Harrop. They married on November 27, 1949. Earl and JoAnn had three children, James Carter Harrop, deceased; Edward Allyn Harrop (Sue), Auburn, Alabama and Janice Louise Hillebrenner (Jeff), Springfield, Illinois.

JoAnn was a homemaker for her family until Jan was in first grade. In 1963 she began working at Whitewater Electronics, and in 1969 she switched jobs and was employed by the City of Whitewater, Wisconsin primarily as a Parking Attendant but also performed other police department administrative duties. JoAnn retired in 1996.

In addition to Ed and Jan, JoAnn is survived by her grandchildren James Carter Harrop II (Lisa), Elk River, MN; Chris Hillebrenner (Maria), Quincy, IL; Angie Hillebrenner, Springfield, IL; and great-grandchildren Jordan Harrop Minneapolis, MN; Carter Harrop, Elk River, MN; and Avery Hillebrenner, Blair Hillebrenner, and Quinn Hillebrenner all from Quincy, IL.

JoAnn enjoyed life. She convinced Earl to buy a pop-up camper which eventually became a thirty-two-foot trailer. Together, with family, they made many trips to Woodruff, WI. Later they had a permanent seasonal campsite at Stand Rock Campground near Wisconsin Dells. Both Earl and JoAnn were avid bowlers. JoAnn was Secretary Treasurer of the Whitewater Women’s Bowling League and provided instruction for junior bowlers on Saturday mornings. 

Both Earl and JoAnn enjoyed watching their kids play sports. JoAnn continued to be active after Earl passed away visiting casinos, playing bingo, and being a snowbird in Florida for 10 years. Her favorite card games were Kings in the Corner and Euchre. JoAnn will be greatly missed by her Family.

A visitation will be held on Sunday, September 13, 2026 from 6:00 to 7:00 PM CST at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home in Opelika, Alabama.

Additional visitation to be held on Thursday, September 17, 2026 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM CST at Nitardy Funeral Home, 550 N. Newcomb St. Whitewater, WI 53190. Funeral Service to begin at 11:00 AM with burial to follow at Hillside Cemetery in Whitewater.

The Harrop and Hillebrenner family would like to extend a special thank you to the caregivers at Auburn Assisted Living, the Pearl at the Phoenix, and the care givers and Hospice at Arbor Springs all in Auburn, Alabama. 

In her memory and in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home in Alabama and Nitardy Funeral Home in Whitewater are proudly serving the family.

Russell O. Johnson “Russ,” 88, passed away on September 4, 2026 in Whitewater, Wisconsin.

Russell was born on July 12, 1938, in Janesville, Wisconsin.

Russ grew up in Janesville, and after high school he joined the Air Force on May 1, 1958, serving as an aircraft mechanic until June 12, 1962. He then worked at Parker Pen in Janesville for a time, where he met his future wife, Avis.

After marrying Avis Mason in April 1964, Russ worked for Gillman Manufacturing for a time, then began a career at Dana until its closing in 1980. In 1981, Russ started working as a machinist for Spacesaver in Fort Atkinson, helping grow the company from a small business on old Highway 26 into a global manufacturer of high-density mobile storage systems. Russ retired from Spacesaver in 2000.

Russell was an avid hunter who loved to bow hunt deer and turkey, and of course he loved to fish. Russ also made many of his own fly-fishing lures, which he enjoyed using. He had his own wood-working shop and built many wood toys, chairs, and dressers.

He is survived by his wife Avis Johnson; children Russell and Sheryl Johnson, Steven and Dawn Johnson, and Laramie Hanson (Keith Kurtz); grandchildren Valerie and Michael Stitt, Ashley Hanson (Mike “Sully” Sullivan), Derek Johnson (Brianna McIntosh), Alycia Johnson (Nate Wright), and Kyle Johnson; great-grandchildren Breanna Tellefson (Colin) and Aleena Sullivan; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer O. and Mildred (Hanewold) Johnson; his sisters and brothers-in-law, Beatrice “Bea” Mogensen and Robert “Bob” Mogensen, and Eleanor C. Gray and Charlie “Gunda” Gray, and his son, Wesley Wagner.

A future celebration of life will take place to honor Russell’s life.

Nitardy Funeral Home of Whitewater is proudly serving the family. For online condolences please visit www.nitardyfuneralhome.com.

Marcia Zingg, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, businesswoman, and friend, passed away peacefully on September 1, 2026, at the age of 75.

Marcia will be remembered for her unwavering love, remarkable strength, generous spirit, and lifelong devotion to her family. She shared 40 wonderful years of marriage with her husband, Jeffrey Zingg, who considered her not only his wife but also his best friend, business partner, and the love of his life.

Together, Marcia and Jeffrey built a successful life rooted in perseverance, hard work, laughter, and love. As entrepreneurs in Whitewater, Wisconsin, they owned and managed new car franchises and business properties, working side by side through every challenge and triumph. Marcia never hesitated to share the workload, whether tackling daily business responsibilities or helping with the smallest tasks. Her loyalty, determination, and belief in their shared dreams played an essential role in every accomplishment they achieved together.

One of Jeffrey’s most treasured memories was the night they completed their first building. Standing hand in hand near midnight, outside the brightly lit showroom that bore their name, they reflected on what they had built together through sacrifice, dedication, and love. It was a moment that would remain close to his heart forever.

Marcia had a deep love for animals and devoted countless hours to supporting local cat shelters. One of her favorite rescues, a cat named Bondo, became a beloved fixture at their dealership and something of a local celebrity. Through her kindness and compassion, Marcia had a special gift for making both people and animals feel welcomed, cared for, and loved.

She and Jeffrey were fortunate to travel extensively throughout the world, creating cherished memories along the way. Marcia especially enjoyed walking the Great Wall of China and spending time in a small home in France. While she treasured the adventures, her greatest joy was always the time spent together with those she loved.

Above all, Marcia was a devoted mother and grandmother. She found immense happiness in her family and took great pride in watching her grandchildren grow. Her love for them was constant, unconditional, and one of the brightest joys of her life. She was a proud grandmother who affectionately called Evan her “little cherub” and delighted in following his accomplishments. She admired Carter’s bold spirit and was proud to watch him develop into a young entrepreneur.

Marcia was preceded in death by her parents Clement and Patricia Matza and sister Marilyn. She is survived by her loving husband, Jeffrey Zingg; her daughter, Shannon Schepp (Kari Watson); her son, Paul Schepp (Erica Schepp); and her cherished grandsons, Evan Jeffrey Schepp and Carter James Schepp. She is further survived by her sister Marlene, niece Wendy, nephew Eric, as well as their extended families. She will be deeply missed by her furry babies Kouper, Maggie, and Peanut.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Marcia’s name to Touched By a Paw, LLC, 182 W. Main St., Whitewater, WI 53190, or online at https://www.touchedbyapaw.org. Any additional monetary gifts received will be forwarded to Touched By a Paw in her memory. A celebration of Marcia’s life will be held at a later date.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” – Romans 15:13

“Goodbye, my loving wife. Thank you for 40 beautiful years. You were the love of my life.”

Nitardy Funeral Home of Whitewater is proudly serving the family during this time. For online condolences, please visit www.nitardyfuneralhome.com.

Amanda Jean Hunter was born to Ralph and Malinda (Thomas) Hunter of Whitewater, Wisconsin, on October 6, 1976. She passed away on August 4, in Fort Worth, Texas, where she lived with her family. Amanda passed peacefully in the hospital, surrounded by her loved ones.

Amanda was a kind-hearted free spirit with an unmistakable hippie warmth. Generosity, spontaneity, a quick wit, a macabre sense of humor, and an open heart were traits that she embraced. She was a tireless champion of those in need, an innate characteristic that became among the best of her qualities. She proved to be a brilliant student during her time in Whitewater High School’s class of 1995.

Amanda was full of love, kindness, patience, and brilliance. She prided herself on her ability to make the world a better place, from advocating for and working with marginalized people, to serving as a Spanish translator, interpreter, and personal proponent. She would help anyone who came to her in need, no matter their circumstances.

She found joy in traveling and exploring, approaching every culture with curiosity and an excitement to learn. Her gentle nature, ability to find the light in any situation, and make anyone feel welcome defined her unique spirit and left an indelible mark on the hearts of everyone who knew her.

In addition to her parents, Amanda is survived by her five children. Mourning their mother are Analinda Ramirez, Isabella Magana, Corbin Cecil, Aubrianna Cecil, and Anthony Padilla. She also leaves behind her first granddaughter, Gianna Davis, whom she cherished deeply and was eager to meet. Also mourning is her long-time partner Gustavo Padilla. Amanda will be deeply missed by her sisters, Tina Hunter and Heather Rasmussen, as well as her nieces and nephews, Melanie Malik, Rachel Malik, Olivia Foltz, Hunter Rasmussen, Madeline Delaney, and Logan Rasmussen.

A celebration of Amanda’s life will be held on Saturday, October 3, at Rotary Botanical Gardens, 1455 Palmer Drive, Janesville, Wisconsin. Visitation will begin at 11am, with remarks at noon.