Obituaries

Obituary: Richard “Dick” Splinter, 81, of Fort Wayne, IN

Richard “Dick” Splinter, age 81, of Fort Wayne, passed away on December 1, 2021. He was born February 6, 1940 in Milton Township, WI, the son of Frank and Grace (Greenwood) Splinter. At the age of 17 Dick started working at General Motors in Janesville, WI. In 1986 two pivotal events occurred in his life: he transferred to the Fort Wayne General Motors Assembly plant where he would work until he retired with 49 years of dedicated service; and he would marry the love of his life, Sharon Grant, and spend the next 33 years building their life together until her passing in 2019.

Over the course of his life he found enjoyment dancing, traveling to the Outer Banks, bowling, visiting the casino, golfing, lifting weights, spending time with family, and listening to music while sitting outside with a drink in his hand. To Dick, life was about valuing the simple things that held little monetary value. To those that knew him, he was a trusted friend that would give you the shirt off his back. He will be missed, but his legacy will remain by all that knew and loved him.

Dick is survived by his children Rich (Deb) Splinter, Connie Collins, Dale (Kelly) Splinter, and Steve and Ron Splinter; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents; wife; daughter Pilar Purnell; two brothers, Frank and Don; and three sisters, Francis Ingle, Lois Kerl, and Betty Aarstad.

Dick’s final request is that there will be no funeral service. He was at peace knowing that he would be reunited in the afterlife with his darling, Sharon. His ashes will be laid to rest at Hillside Cemetery in Whitewater, WI.

Obituary: Charles Andrew Krakow, 49, Fort Atkinson

Charles Andrew Krakow, 49, Fort Atkinson passed away unexpectedly at his home on Sunday, December 5, 2021.

Charlie was born on November 14, 1972 in Fort Atkinson, WI to John and Patricia (Kulow) Krakow.  He attended Fort Atkinson High School.  Charlie farmed for a majority of his life with his father and also with other local farmers.  He also worked for the last four years at Generac in Jefferson.  Charlie enjoyed fishing, his cats and working in his garden.  He loved to be outdoors.

He is survived by his mother Patricia, Fort Atkinson; siblings: Michael (Jennifer) Krakow, Watertown, Melissa (Zachary) Kostroski, Jefferson, and Jeannie (Chris Anderson) Krakow, Peoria, IL; close friend Patty Luebke; several nieces, a nephew and other family.  He was preceded in death by his father.

A Visitation will be held on Thursday, December 16, 2021 from 3-6 p.m. at the Nitardy Funeral Home, 1008 Madison Ave. Fort Atkinson, WI 53538.  Online condolences may be made at www.nitardyfuneralhome.com

Obituary: Thomas Arthur Hardy, 82

Thomas Arthur Hardy, 82, of Whitewater, formerly of Nekoosa, passed away on December 6, 2021 at his home. He was born on November 17, 1939 son of the late Arthur M. and Lois J. (Huchthausen) Hardy in Nekoosa. He married Betty Joyce (Strooisma) Hardy on May 23, 1970 in Whitewater.

Thomas is survived by his son, Steven M. Hardy and daughter-in-law, Tamara L. (Cook) Hardy and brother, Terrance Hardy who he had a falling out with family in 1997.

Thomas had many accomplishments including two bachelor’s degrees, one in English and the other in Physics with a Math minor. After school, he joined the Air Force instead of waiting to be drafted for Vietnam. He enrolled in officer training before the draft started and spent a lot of time at Camp Douglas. He talked highly of his time spent in the Air Force and enjoyed talking with WWII veterans and flying on the C130s before his unit was transferred to Milwaukee. Following his time served in the Air Force, he worked in social services and had a working relationship with Tommy Thompson and was offered a job to work at the capital as a speech writer but turned it down so he could live in Whitewater so his wife could have a career working for the UW System in the Payroll Department. He became a landlord owning multiple houses and homes. He was also a commodities trader and worked with another fellow in New York on the New York Stock Exchange.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, December 13, 2021 at Dunlap Memorial Home in Fort Atkinson. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. on Monday at the memorial home until time of service. Burial will follow at Hillside Cemetery in Whitewater, alongside his wife, Betty Joyce Hardy.

www.DunlapMemorialHome.com

Obituary: Richard W. Marshall, 75

Richard W. Marshall, age 75, of Fort Atkinson, died on Wednesday, December 1, 2021 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison.

Richard was born on February 12, 1946, on the family farm in Whitewater, the son of Alan and Leona (Zanton) Marshall.  He served his country with the U.S. Army.  Richard had worked as a carpenter for the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater.  He was a member of the 1st English Lutheran Church in Whitewater.  Richard volunteered at Fort Memorial Hospital in Fort Atkinson.

Richard was a beloved husband, father, and grandfather.  He was a skilled woodcrafter, an avid train enthusiast, and a passionate Packer and Brewer fan.

He is survived by his wife, Christine; their son, James (Eileen) Marshall, Portage;  two grandchildren, Christopher and Kayleigh Marshall;  other relatives and many friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Alan Robert Marshall.  

No services will be held.  Inurnment will be private at a later date.  The Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage (www.pmmfh.com) is assisting the family.

Obituary: Merwyn (Mert) Taylor, 90

On December 6, 2021, Merwyn (Mert) Taylor “slipped the surly bonds of earth.” Among other things, he was a farmer, aviator, vintner, inventor, and craftsman.

Although aviation was his first love, his wife, Marilyn (Mike) was his true love. They were married for 69 years before her death in 2019. Together, they raised five children: Dianne (Dick) Dunham, Sally (Steve) Watson, Donna (Scott) Allenstein, Steve (Chelli) Taylor and Frank (Lisa) Taylor. They, along with his 16 grandchildren, their spouses, and 36 great-grandchildren, were his pride and joy. Last August, they all gathered to celebrate his 90th birthday.

Mert learned to fly as a teenager. He loved flying, especially giving rides to family and friends, introducing them to the joys and freedom of flight. He designed and/or built six planes, one of which is donated to the Experimental Aircraft Association museum. He was an early member of the EAA and proud of his low membership number – 156. He dedicated many years to the association and loved working in the Com Center with his “second family.” In July, his family joined to honor him as a Volunteer of the Year and to place a brick inscribed with his name in Volunteer Park in Oshkosh.

Mert was one of the founding members of the LaGrange Volunteer Fire Department and served as its chief for six years. His legacy lives on in two sons, three grandsons, and two granddaughters who are on the force today.

Mert was born to hard-working parents. He tended the farm that his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather had tended before him. It continues under the good care of son Frank and grandson Eric.

When he moved from the family farmhouse, Mert and Mike built the home of their dreams in the woods – with an airstrip out behind. He loved cutting wood with his sons and stoking the wood-burning stove that heated his house and shop. The woods also provided wood for the sawmill that he built.

Mert loved making wine from his own grapes and sharing it with others. He loved restoring old cars, riding motorcycles, and going on adventures (especially adventures on motorcycles with his kids and friends). His coffee comrades helped him through these last two lonely years without Mike.

Services will be held Sunday, December 12, at Nitardy Funeral Home, Whitewater. Visitation begins at noon with service at 2:00. Burial will follow at the LaGrange cemetery.

Memorials can be made to the LaGrange Volunteer Fire Department and to the Experimental Aircraft Association.

Special thanks for the skill and kindness of  the Aurora Summit Medical Center trauma team who worked their hardest to keep him with us.

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

Obituary: Carol A Vohs, 82

Carol A Vohs 82 Of Whitewater passed away peacefully on December 4th, 2021, with her family by her side. Carol was born on October 16, 1939, to Charles and Mildred Stelter.

Carol married Leroy Vohs on September 26th, 1959. Carol and Leroy had 2 sons David and Jimmy, and they raised the boys on Piper Rd. Carol was a stay-at-home mom until the boys went to school; she then went to work at the Commercial Bank of Whitewater for over 20 years before retiring in 2001.

Carol loved to travel with her husband Leroy, especially to Eagle River for Cranberry Fest and family trips to the cabin on Cranberry Lake where we enjoyed fish fry at Honey Bears, sitting around the living room talking and laughing, and enjoying time on the water; these memories will always be cherished. Carol also enjoyed gardening, going to her Water aerobic classes at the aquatic center with her friends and then the ladies would head over to McDonalds to have great conversation. Carol also loved to bake; at the holidays you would always find plenty of baked goods on the table and one recipe her grandkids couldn’t get enough of was her cranberry bread. Carol would always hide a loaf for her favorite Grandson.

Carol is survived by her husband Leroy of more than 62 years, Her Son Jimmy (Mary), 3 Grandsons, Justin (Stacy), Axel (Courtney) Vohs, and Damon Vohs, 1 great-grandson Pierce and 1 Great-granddaughter Hayden, 3 Step-grandchildren, Nicki, Emily, and Chad Olds, 3 step Great-grandchildren Ophelia, Braxton, and Javian and David’s significant other Karen Olds, 2 sisters Janet (Gary), Gloria (Dan) Weissinger and many nieces and nephews.

Carol is preceded in death by her oldest son David Vohs parents Charles and Mildred Stelter her in-laws George and Ida Vohs, her brother-in-law Gary Stone, and her great nephew Michael Kienbaum.

Funeral services will be held at First English Lutheran Church (401 W Main St Whitewater) on Thursday, December 23rd, visitation from 9-11 and Church service in Carol’s honor will be at 11.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Rainbow Hospice Johnson Creek, First English Lutheran Church of Whitewater, or Cold Spring Cemetery Association.

A special thank you to Marquardt Home Health, Rainbow Hospice of Johnson Creek, and Nicki Olds for the great care they gave Carol.

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

Obituary: Robert Knudsen, 78

Robert Knudsen, age 78, passed away unexpectedly at his home on December 1, 2021.  The family is planning a Celebration of Life to be held in the Spring of 2022.  Arrangements are pending at the Nitardy Funeral Home.  A full obituary will be posted when final arrangements have been made. www.nitardyfuneralhome.com

Obituary: Charles “Butch” Beckum, 61

On the morning of November 6th, 2021, playwright, thespian, and father, Charles “Butch” Beckum peacefully took his final bow. Butch lived a storied, but always humble, life as an actor, wanderer, and warrior-poet for 61 adventurous years.


His proud and esteemed service as a Sergeant in the United States Air Force inspired his most treasured work, “Learning to Fly,” a one-man show about the Vietnam War, which enjoyed local production and was well received.


He is survived by his daughters, Ally Beckum and Shiloh Beckum, Sons-in-Law Kyle Beckum & Benjamin Sommers, his sister Myleen Beckum, and his two extremely affectionate cats, Phil and Boots. He was preceded in death by his parents, Myles and Bonnie Beckum. 


A Celebration of Life will be held at the Cravath Lakefront Community Center in Whitewater on Friday, December 10th from 5-8 p.m.


Butch did not believe in saying goodbye because we’re never apart for long and, if he could, would tell his family, friends, and every reader of this obituary “…until then.”

To post an online condolence you may click here and select “tribute wall.”

Derrick Funeral Home is honored to be assisting the family of Charles Beckum.
 

Obituary: Geraldine Rae (McCulloch) Wilcox; Reminder of Service on Dec. 11

Geraldine Rae (McCulloch) Wilcox May 27, 1929 – November 8, 2021

Geraldine (Gerry) R. Wilcox, age 92, of Whitewater passed away on Monday, November 8, 2021. She was born on May 27, 1929, in Milton; the third daughter of Elmer McCulloch and Julia Elizabeth (Duckett) McCulloch. Gerry graduated from Whitewater City High in 1947, and then moved on to earn a Cosmetology degree. She worked at the Modern Beauty Shop many years, and in Fairhaven beauty shop for over 20 years. While working she enjoyed making lifelong friends and chatting with all her patrons.

On June 13, 1953, she was united in marriage to James Dean Wilcox in Waukesha, WI. Together they enjoyed raising their daughter Kathy, and spending time with family.

In her youth, Gerry was a member of the Lima Presbyterian Church and later became a member of the United Church of Christ in Whitewater, WI. Gerry was a fixture in the church. She loved helping, mentoring, cooking and guiding others. During her 50 + years in the church she participated in the Sunday school programs, guiding youth fellowship, church circle groups, music committees, call to care, delivering meals on wheels, and managing the coffee hour for more than 12 years. She was an active member in the Jaycettes, and really enjoyed being a part of the “50 Club” which was a gathering of her 1947 high school classmates.

Gerry had a passion for helping all. If anyone needed a meal, laundry, dishes, or ironing she was your gal. Always ready to jump in and help anyone in need. She had an inviting home and cherished her daughter, grandchildren, great grandchildren, siblings, nieces, nephews, friends, and neighbors. She loved being with children having tea parties and playing make believe with them. Anytime, day or night she was ready to listen or chat and indulge in a cup of coffee and cookies. Ice cream, Scotcharoos and caramel corn available for any occasion. She shared stories growing up on the farm, working in the beauty salons and caring for family and friends. She enjoyed the outdoors, the song of a Jenny Wren, or a Robin or the sight of a Cardinal while she tended to her flowers and vegetable gardens. When not outside, she was inside canning, cooking, baking and always enjoyed a full sink of dishes to wash.

She is survived by her daughter, Kathy (William) Smith of Blanchardville, WI; 4 grandchildren, Julia (Grant) Dochnahl of Blanchardville, Chad Smith of Madison, Amy (Nick) Christen of Monticello, Adam (Katherine) Smith of Bondurant, IA; 9 great grandchildren, Emily, Evan, Olivia, Georgia, Hazel, Elizabeth, James, Levi and Walker; brother, Elmer McCulloch; sister-in-law’s Marcy McCulloch, Mary McCulloch; and brother-in-law Wayne (Libby) Lusk along with many nieces, nephews and friends.

Gerry was preceded in death by her husband, James Dean Wilcox; parents, Elmer and Julia McCulloch; five sisters, three brothers, two sisters-in-law and three brothers-in-law. Beverly (William) Kyle, Betty (Robert) Kraus, Ida Mae Schultz, Judy (Kenny) Douglas, Norma Jean Lusk, Robert McCulloch, Lawrence McCulloch, David (Sandra) McCulloch, and Mary Pope; Mother-in-law Alice Wilcox; father-in-law Frank (Nina) Wilcox; brother-in-law Frank (Ginny) Wilcox; sister-in-law Roberta (Harry)Paul and stepsister-in-law Betty (Zeno) Weisensel.

Special thank you to all the nurses and support staff at Rainbow Hospice Care for your care and dedication during over the past 2 years.

A funeral service will be held at Congregational United Church of Christ in Whitewater, WI on December 11, 2021, at 10:30 a.m. Please note that the church requires masks to be worn. Online condolences can be made at www.nitardyfuneralhome.com

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to the family for donation to charity of their choice.

Obituary: Dr. Elmer G. Redford, 89, of Fort Atkinson

Dr. Elmer G. Redford, 89, of Fort Atkinson, passed away Tuesday, November 30, 2021 at home.

Elmer was born on March 26, 1932 in Albion, WI son of the late James and Camila (Andersen) Redford. He graduated from Leavenworth Senior High in 1950. Elmer was drafted into the U.S. Army on November 17, 1952 and spent time in Ft. Still and Korea and was discharged from Ft. Sheridan on November 8, 1954. He was a lifetime member of VFW Post 1879 in Fort Atkinson.

Elmer took up residence in Cambridge, WI and married Marjorie A. Simdon on April 13, 1957. They were blessed with four children, Christopher Redford, Deborah (Roger) Badwal, Rebecca (Donald) Mallow, and Steven (Susan) Redford; grandchildren, Joseph Redford, Samuel Redford, Kaitlyn Redford, Thomas Redford, Andrew Badwal, Mark Badwal, Ethan Mallow, and Benjamin Mallow. In June 1966 the family moved to Fort Atkinson.

Elmer received his B.S. Degree from Whitewater in 1959 and attended Vanderbilt University and Oak Ridge Laboratories on an AEC Fellowship. He received his M.S. from UWM and his Ph.D. in 1979 from Brookings Institute in Washington D.C. via Union Grad. School.

Elmer started teaching school in West Allis, WI in 1960 and became part of the physics department at UW-Whitewater in 1966, teaching physics and math. He became director of Developmental Studies and retired in 1993.

Elmer is also survived by his brother, Fredrick and sister, Charlene. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Marjorie; daughter, Deborah Badwal; brothers, James, Harold, Melvin and Donald and sister, Lillian.

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 18, 2021 at St. James Lutheran Church in Cambridge. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. at the church until time of service. Burial will follow at Lake Ripley Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to St. James Lutheran Church.

Dunlap Memorial Home in Fort Atkinson is assisting the family.

www.DunlapMemorialHome.com