Obituaries

Jeffrey “Jeff” John Halko, 66, of Whitewater passed away on Sunday, December 5, 2021 at Mercy Hospital in Janesville.

Jeff was born on June 12, 1955 in Chicago to Michael and Marie (Arruda) Halko. He grew up in the Silver Lake area where he graduated from Wilmot High in 1974. Jeff forged lifelong friendships in his youth before leaving the area to hitchhike across the country with new found friend, Rikki, landing in Libertypole/The Gulch, before returning to California. He met and married Cynthia Lamb in 1982, operated his first window cleaning business, Spotless Window Cleaning, in Monterey. They moved their family to LaCrosse, WI where he owned and operated Sunshine Window Cleaning until 1998. Jeff relocated to Elkhorn, WI following his divorce and purchased Picture Perfect Window Cleaning. He soon met and married Colleen Eissens in 2002, who joined him in the window cleaning business.

Jeff loved his work and his customers. When he wasn’t working, he enjoyed singing, playing guitar, dancing, golfing, scootering with his dogs, getting together and catching up with ‘ol friends, making new ones, good conversation and spending time with family. He enjoyed watching Badger football, basketball and volleyball, as well as Packer football.

Jeff is survived by his wife, Colleen Eissens; his sisters Paula Kunz (Bill) and Laura Hart (Larry); his brother Larry Halko; his children Jacey (Lamb-Halko) Bubbers and Caleb Lamb-Halko; his grandchildren Tybalt Barbosa, Cianna Bubbers, Roman Bubbers, and Lannie Bubbers; his stepmother-in-law Rose Eissens; his stepchildren Chloe Barbosa (Jessy), Skylar Gabel-Eissens and Sean Gabel-Eissens; his beloved proteges Joe Oachs, Ryan Boeck and Dave Boeck; his canine kids Simon and KiRa.

He is preceded in death by his parents Michael Halko and Marie Janks, his brother George Halko; his in-laws Alvin Eissens and Alice (Akker) Bolluyt.

Every day presents a new opportunity to choose joy, despite our sorrow.  Please join us to celebrate the life of Jeff Halko and the joy he brought to our lives.  Please bring your memories, ones that make you smile, laugh and feel blessed to have known a person so full of love, joy and playfulness. 

The Celebration of life will take place from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on April 24, 2022 at Evergreen Country Club, N6246 US 12, Elkhorn, WI.  An informal service will take place at 2 p.m., with light refreshments and socializing to follow.

Cards may be sent in c/o Picture Perfect, PO Box 112, Whitewater, WI 53190.

Online condolences can also be made at www.nitardyfuneralhome.com

Marie Augusta Traxler, 77, Whitewater, passed away at home on Sunday, March 13, 2022, after battling lung cancer. She was surrounded by her family.

Marie was born on April 20, 1944 in Whitewater, WI to Woodrow and Marion (Schultz) Thayer. She graduated from Palmyra High School in 1962. Marie married Sidney Traxler on June 29, 1968 at the Palmyra Methodist Church. She was employed as a program assistant for the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and retired in 2007. Marie was the state treasurer of the Wisconsin National Guard enlisted association auxiliary. She enjoyed crafting and playing cards with her friends and taking care of others was her passion. She was a member of First English Lutheran Church.

She is survived by her husband of nearly 54 years, Sidney; children: Melinda (Michael) Ulsberger, Fort Atkinson, Susan (Bradley) Meyer, Milwaukee; grandchildren: David and Sarah Ulsberger, Preston and Addison Meyer; great-grandchildren, Dominic McKinnon and Adrian Ulsberger; brothers: Carl (Nancy) Thayer and Bruce Thayer; brother-in-law, David (Dottie) Traxler and many cherished friends and family. She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters-in-law, Marty Thayer and Karen (Tom) Chwala.

A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, March 18, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at the Nitardy Funeral Home, 550 N. Newcomb St. Whitewater, WI 53190. Friends may call at the funeral home on Friday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service. The family would like to thank Kendra, Sarah, Gretchen and Terri from Rainbow Hospice for their loving care and support. Online condolences may be made at www.nitardyfuneralhome.com

Annabell Jeanette Hoof, age 84 of Whitewater, WI, passed peacefully on Friday, February 4, 2022 at St Mary’s Hospital in Janesville.

She was born in New Ulm, MN to Raymond and Rosella Glaesemann. On May 12, 2002 she married Wayne Hoof. He preceded her in death on May 6th, 2017. She is also preceded by her former husband, Donald Kaat, the father of her 6 children, her parents Raymond and Rosella, brother Floyd and sister Diane.

Ann enjoyed reading, setting puzzles and sewing. She was employed by Monterey until her retirement in 2000. Ann graduated from high school in 2002 at the age of 67.

Annabell is survived by a sister Elaine (Richard) Gudmunsen of Wayzata, MN, her children Twila (Joe) Ehrfeld of South Carolina, Candice (Kevin) Wholey of California, Dawn (Rob) Via of Edgerton, WI, Timothy (Judy) Kaat of Florida, Brenda (Ken) Drake of Janesville, WI and Charles (Barbi) Kaat of Edgerton, WI, 11 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 25, 2022 at Nitardy Funeral Home, 550 N. Newcomb St., Whitewater, WI. A visitation will take place from 10 a.m. until the time of service. A burial will follow at Hillside Cemetery. Condolences can be mailed to Dawn Via, 403 Hemphill Ave, Edgerton, WI 53534.

Nitardy Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences can be made at www.nitardyfuneralhome.com

Shawn Marie Smith, age 53, passed away peacefully February 26th 2022, at Froedtert Hospital. She was born on July 28th, 1968, in Watertown to Patricia Blank.

Shawn was a respected dog behavior consultant for the last 10 years in Whitewater and the surrounding area. As a past member of the Basenji Club of Southeastern Wisconsin, she served as rescue committee chair, facilitating many successful placements. She also served as chair of the rescue committee of the Basenji Club of America.

She received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin, Whitewater. While an undergraduate she published a study that appeared in 2007 Applied Animal Behavior Science.

She is survived by her life Partner, Todd Thayer, her Mother Patricia Blank, children, Jesse Smith and Josh Smith and two brothers, Jerry Salb and Bob Budde.

Thank you all for the cards and condolences.

James M. Stypla, age 71, of Janesville, passed away at home on Friday, February 25, 2022. A celebration of his life will be held on a later date. SCHNEIDER FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY is assisting his family.

Arthur Knute Lein was born in the family home on Fremont Street and lived his whole life on Fremont until debility necessitated the move to Fairhaven where he spent several years eventually being joined by his wife whom he referred to as my Marvelous Mary. He attended school in Whitewater and attended UWW where he eventually received a BA after a couple year hiatus to serve in the US Army. He trained with the 10th mountain division in Colorado. The war ended when he was getting ready to ship out so that was very fortunate or I might not be here. He was very proud of his service and being a veteran. He met Mom at UWW and they married in 1953. Eric, my deceased brother and I, Kevin were their children. I am the last branch of the family tree, the last of the Mohicans. Dad always introduced himself to people as “I’m Art Lein from Whitewater, Wisconsin.” He loved Whitewater and all things Wisconsin. He was a huge fan of UWW and Badger sports. All Wisconsin sports. I remember watching many Packer games with him.

Dad opened up a clothing store in the late 50’s and closed it in 1979 to sell clothing in WI and MI for many years until he retired. He was very involved in community/civic events over his life. He and Mom attended countless Warhawk games and he was on the Hall of Fame Board at UWW for many years. He was eventually inducted into the hall with a Distinguished Service Award for his years of serving and promoting Warhawk sports and UWW. He and couple of friends started the Quarterback Club to help promote the Warhawk football teams and his friend Perk, the longtime coach. He and countless friends spearheaded the drive to open Perkins Stadium in the early 70’s. Service included Zoning commission for Whitewater and Walworth county board member as well. He was head usher at the Congregational Church for 40 plus years although he was known to ditch the sermon to go eat cookies in the basement of the church. He was on the board of the Commercial Bank for many years with his lifelong friend Dave Kachel. He was a member of the Legion post for many years and was vice commander in his final years with them.

Dad was a jovial and gregarious man who always had a smile on his face. He loved going to coffee klatsch every day with a bunch of the local men so they could discuss current events and figure out solutions, with a lot of jokes and ribbing thrown in. He put a Bush senior for president sticker on Jack Frawley’s (a lifelong Democrat) car. Jack didn’t notice for a couple of days until someone asked him if he went over to the other side. Those were the days when things weren’t so divided and people so sensitive. He loved to pull jokes and pranks on his other friends as well. Too many to list.

Dad was a very kind and decent man of the greater generation. He made many lifelong friends in his time on earth. He was a true gentleman. He will be greatly missed by the many he knew and touched. He’s in heaven now with Mom.

I would like to extend my appreciation to Fairhaven for their wonderful care of Dad these last years. They have very special people working there. Also a shout out for Rainbow Hospice who were involved in his care as well of that of my mom and brother in the past. They have some wonderful staff as well.

There will be a celebration of life this summer for anyone that knew him or Mom which I will get posted when I get things nailed down. Their bodies are at UWM for medical research so there will be no burial services for some time until I get their remains. He and Mom will be interred together at the Veterans cemetery in Union Grove at a future date.

Dora “Pat” Grace Platner, 94, Whitewater, passed away on Sunday, February 27, 2022 surrounded by love.

Pat was born in Whitewater, WI, at the family home on April 8, 1927 to Richard G. and Artemesia (Gibson) O’Connor. She graduated from Whitewater High School in 1945 and Pestalozzi Froebel in 1947 with a degree in education. Pat taught kindergarten in Milton for one year, something she spoke about often in her later years. She married her high school sweetheart and love of her life, Donald J. Platner on November 6, 1947. Pat was an active member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Whitewater and the Altar Society.

Pat leaves behind quite a legacy. She is survived by her children: Janet Bishop, Teta Hoerman, Tim (Donna) Platner, Mary O’Connor, Sue Latini (Dennis Darrah), Ann Wood, Nancy Platner, Nic (Linda) Platner, Dik Platner (Sharon Faust), Sam (Inna) Platner, Dan Platner; Grandchildren: BJ Bishop, Andy Bishop, Patty Pellmann, Stacy Fermanich, Cory Pellmann, Megan Borchardt, Katie Cerda, Erin Platner, Kelly Platner, Shawn O’Connor, Shanna O’Connor, Lea Newman, Brody Newman, Blake Lewis, Max Platner, Bruce Miller, Jasmine Miller, Lacy Croswell, Angel Patrick, Nikolai Platner, and Sasha Platner. She is also survived by 31 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, infant son, brothers Tony and Jim, sons-in-law, Ronald Wood and Jim Hoerman, grandsons, Charlie Stull and David Lewis.

Pat was a kind and gentle soul. If you knew her, you loved her. She was always quick to help anyone in any way she could. Some have described her as a force of nature. She always had a smile and a hug. Donations in her memory can be made to Agrace Hospice, who provided loving care and comfort to not only Pat, but to her family as well. The loss here on earth is great, but we know she is reunited with so many loved ones, with a clear mind and healthy body.

A Memorial Mass will be held on Tuesday, March 8, 2022 at 11:00 am at St. Patrick Catholic Church 1225 W. Main St. Whitewater, WI 53190. Friends may call at the church on Tuesday from 10 am until the time of the service.

Nitardy Funeral Home, Whitewater is assisting the family. Online condolences may be made at www.nitardyfuneralhome.com

Mary Elizabeth “Betty” Lawrence, 99, of Whitewater passed away on Sunday, February 27, 2022.

A memorial service will take place at 2 PM on Saturday, March 19, 2022 at Nitardy Funeral Home in Whitewater.  A visitation will take place from 1 PM until the time of service.  A burial of cremains will take place at a later date at Richmond Cemetery.

Online condolences can be made at www.nitardyfuneralhome.com