Obituaries

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers signed Executive Order #196 ordering the flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin to be flown at half-staff on Sat., May 6, 2023, in honor of Army Air Forces First Lieutenant Roy Coulson Harms, who lost his life in World War II and whose remains have been identified and returned to Wisconsin for burial.  “We are glad to be able to welcome First Lieutenant Roy Coulson Harms home and that he can finally be laid to rest in his home state,” said Gov. Evers. “First Lieutenant Harms gave his life fighting for the values and freedoms we hold dear, and the state will forever remember his courageous service and sacrifice.”  On Aug. 1, 1943, Army Air Forces First Lieutenant Roy Coulson Harms, a native of Grafton, a pilot of a B-24 bomber in World War II, and a member of the 329th Bombardment Squadron, 93rdBombardment Group, 8th Air Force, was killed by enemy anti-aircraft fire during Operation TIDAL WAVE near Ploesti, Romania. First Lieutenant Harms’ remains were not identified following the war and were buried in the Hero Section of the Civilian and Military Cemetery of Bolovan, Ploesti, Romania, and were later interred at Ardennes American Cemetery in Belgium. In 2017, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency began exhuming unknown remains believed to be associated with Operation TIDAL WAVE for analysis and identification. Thanks to the efforts of his family and the work of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, First Lieutenant Harms’ remains have been positively identified. First Lieutenant Harms was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, and Purple Heart. Army Air Forces First Lieutenant Roy Coulson Harms will be buried with full military honors in Grafton, on Sat., May 6, 2023.

Lyla Bernice Pontel, 95, Whitewater, went to be with her Savior on Friday, April 28, 2023, at Vintage on the Ponds.

Lyla was born November 1, 1927, in East Troy to Adolph and Arlene (Timm) Anderson.  She married Harlan Pontel on Sept 24, 1947. They farmed most of their lives in East Troy and Whitewater.  He preceded her in death on December 11, 2009.

Lyla enjoyed gardening, sewing, quilting, raising farm animals, combining fields, and baking.  There was always a sweet treat on the counter for anyone that visited.  She drove school bus, was a 4-H leader and a member of St. John’s Ladies Aid.  She loved to spend time at their house in the Northwoods, watching the birds and deer in her yard. Her passion was teaching her grandchildren valuable skills and lessons, and they lit up her beautiful smile whenever they visited.

Lyla will be greatly missed by her children, Rodney (Sherry) Pontel, Whitewater, Larry (Sue) Pontel, Globe, AZ, Bruce (Kim) Pontel, Harshaw and son-in-law John Ludeman, Harshaw; 10 Grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, nieces, and a nephew.

Lyla was preceded in death by her parents, her loving husband, daughter Patsy (Ludeman) and grandson Jacob.

Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, May 6, 2023, at 12:00 p.m. at Christus Ev. Lutheran Church, Delaney Road, Delavan, WI 53115.  Burial will be in the White Oak Cemetery, Elkhorn, WI.  Friends may call at the church on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.  As an expression of sympathy, you may wish to consider memorials to Christus Ev. LutheranChurch or to the Wisconsin Synod Mission Fund (WELS).  Online condolences may be made at www.nitardyfuneralhome.com.

Lyla’s prayer was that all of you know your Savior and remain in Him always.

Sidney S. “Sid” Krahn, 89, of Whitewater passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, April 26, 2023 at his home.

Sid was born on April 28, 1933 – he would’ve turned 90 this Friday.  Born the son of Paul and Martha (Kincaid) Krahn and a lifetime resident of Whitewater.  He graduated Whitewater High School in 1951.  On September 18, 1954 Sid married the love of his life, Cecelia Larkin, and together they raised four children.  Sid was a Whitewater police officer for five years.  Later, Sid owned and operated Sid Krahn’s Services for 18 years, and co-owned CK’s Keg Liquor with his wife for ten years.  He also worked in the maintenance department at UW-Whitewater for 25 years. 

Sid was a member of the Whitewater Lion’s Club for 45 years and a member of the Whitewater Country Club for 20 years.  He was a faithful lifetime member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, was involved in Church Men’s Club, and served as a church usher.  Sid also served as the Police and Fire Commissioner for five years, and was a retired volunteer fireman.

He is survived by his wife, Cecelia Krahn; children, Nancy Boyer of Whitewater, Paul (Sandy) Krahn of Whitewater, Steven (Darcie) Krahn of Whitewater, Marie (David) Manthey of Tampa, FL; 14 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.

Sid is preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Martha Krahn; grandson, Nathan Krahn; and four-legged companion, Duff.

Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m. on Monday, May 1, 2023 at Nitardy Funeral Home, 550 N. Newcomb St., Whitewater, WI 53190.  Visitation will take place from 9 a.m. until the time of service.  A burial will follow services at Calvary Cemetery.

Donations can be made in Sid’s name to St. John’s Lutheran Church in Whitewater.

Online condolences can be made at www.nitardyfuneralhome.com

Edna (Peyer) Park, age 87, passed away April 19, 2023 at her home in Sauk City, Wisconsin.  She was born the fourth of five children to Carl H. and Aurora D. Peyer in Peoria, Illinois on April 4, 1936.  Edna graduated from Galesburg High School in 1954.  She completed her Bachelor’s degree in 1957 at Illinois State University and her Master’s degree there in 1962.

                Her career in education began in Illinois at Lisle Community High School where she taught mathematics and psychology from 1957 to 1960; she served as a counselor and school psychologist at Deerfield High School from 1962 to 1968 and completed her career teaching remedial mathematics for fifteen years (1981 to 1996) at the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater.  Edna’s greatest joy was to see students achieve success and gain self-confidence.

                On December 18, 1965 Edna married Joe Charles (Chuck) Park and they made Whitewater Lake their home for 48 years.  They traveled extensively throughout their 58-year marriage both before and during their retirement.  When she wasn’t globe-trotting, she was active in The League of Women Voters and Habitat for Humanity.  She served as co-chair of the International Student Host Family program at the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater for a number of years and was active in the Foreign Foods club at the university which later became the Gourmet Club.  She loved music, she loved to play bridge, she liked the creativity of sewing and quilting and was considered to be a gourmet cook.  After moving to Sauk City in 2013, Edna became a member of the Free Congregation of Sauk County.

                Chuck and Edna were blessed with two wonderful children: Laura Park of Los Angeles, California and David Park of New Orleans, Louisiana.  Their personalities, talents and interests enriched the lives of their parents.

                Along with her loving husband and children, Edna is survived by cousins and nieces and great nieces and great nephews as well as her many friends.  A private memorial service will be held in accordance with her wishes.

It is with deep sorrow and much love that we mourn the passing of Thomas Marshall.

Tom was born on February 17, 1951, in Fort Atkinson, WI. After a 13-year battle with Parkinson Disease, he passed away peacefully at his home on April 20, 2023, with his family by his side.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Keith and Jean (Klitzke) Marshall, and two brothers, Jeff and Ronald Marshall. He grew up on his family farm on Howard Road and graduated from Whitewater High School. Over the years he was employed at Frohling Farm Equipment, Mountain View Equipment, Walworth County Highway Department, owned/operated a small excavating company, and developed Nature Dr subdivision. When he wasn’t at work, he still loved to work. His happy place was operating a chain saw or brush mower and burning brush in his woods. He planted hundreds, if not thousands, of trees to make up for it. He was a natural at running equipment, had his pilot’s license and an airplane until it wasn’t practical. He filled in the gap with other petroleum powered hobbies which included cars, motorcycles, snowmobiles, etc. He also enjoyed hunting, playing softball and tennis.

Tom spent the last 25 years of his life with his soul mate, Donna Marshall (Shoenbeck). Together they enjoyed taking trips with the Mad City Corvette Club and enjoying winters in Gulf Shores, Alabama, as much as they enjoyed everyday time with family, attending church and Brewer games.

Tom leaves behind his wife, Donna, son Jon (Michelle) Marshall, daughter Laura (Tommy) Schmeckel; five grandsons Tanner, Tucker, Dylan, Ryan, and Evan; stepdaughters Lori (Michael) Moore and Traci Bates as well as their children Ella, Quintin, Madesyn, Noah, and Liam. Tom is also survived by two sisters, Sally (Mike) Lange and Donna (Neal) Meier.

Funeral Services will be held on Monday, April 24, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 145 S. Prairie St., Whitewater, WI 53190. A private burial will follow in the Richmond Cemetery. Friends may call at the church on Monday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Friends are encouraged to drive their old collector cars to the church in honor of Tom.

As an expression of sympathy, you may wish to consider memorials to Rainbow Hospice, First United Methodist Church of Whitewater, and the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.

The family would like to express a special thank you to family, friends, as well as the Kendra, Sara and Gretchen from Rainbow Hospice and the church congregations of First United Methodist Church and Millard Community Church. Online condolences may be made at www.nitardyfuneralhome.com

Nichol Tesch of the Jefferson County Medical Examiner’s Office indicates that the service for “Baby Oak,” the newborn whose body was found abandoned in a field on March 4, has been rescheduled for Wednesday, April 26 at 2 p.m., Hillside Cemetery. There will not be a directional sign at the entrance, but the grave site should be able to be easily located.

When asked by the Banner why the name “Baby Oak” was chosen, Tesch responded, “Baby Oak was part of the Twin Oaks mobile home community. So in searching for a name that would relate him to his home, Oak was a quite lovely choice.  The oak tree was seen as sacred in European mythology.  It symbolizes strength, honesty, longevity, justice, and honor, just to name a few.”