Obituaries

Hugo C. Tscharnack, age 91 of Whitewater passed away 24 September 2025, at Hearthstone Memory Care (Fairhaven), Whitewater, WI. He was born to the late Hugo Max and Mabel Barbara (nee Klippel) Tscharnack on 9 February 1934 in Milwaukee.  He married the loving and talented Karolyn Kettwig Alexander on 20 May 2001 in Whitewater. 

Hugo is survived by his wife Karolyn, his nephews Timothy J. (Mimi) Stanton, Elmhurst, and John P. (Kristi) Stanton of Madison, his niece Susan M. Stanton of Madison, his stepsons Jason (Shawn) Alexander of Whitewater and Jared (Ann) Alexander of Minneapolis, step-grandchildren Lily and Vincent Alexander of Minneapolis and Hogan and Cambell Alexander of Whitewater, who gave him lessons in playing cards and board games. Hugo is further survived by his step-sisters-in-law Rae (Gary) Mackovic and Nan Curran. He was predeceased by his sister Shirley J. Stanton, his brother-in-law James L. Stanton of Middleton, his nephew Mark Stanton, his grandparents Max and Mina Tscharnack and Frederick and Caroline Kippel, his mother and father-in-law Richard and Almeda Kettwig, and his step-sister-in-law Patricia Kettwig Regan. 

Hugo graduated from Milwaukee Washington High School and from Wisconsin State College-Milwaukee. In addition he received a master’s degree from UW-Madison and a Docteur de l’Universite de Paris. He retired as Assistant Professor in Physics from UW-Whitewater in 2002. 

There will be a visitation at First English Lutheran Church, 401 West Main Street, Whitewater, 09 October 2025 at 9 am followed by a funeral service at 10:30 am conducted by Rev. Joseph O’Donnell.  Interment is at Hillside Cemetery in Whitewater.  If you wish, memorials can be given in Hugo’s name to the First English Lutheran Church’s Sunday School or the Whitewater Food Pantry. Nitardy Funeral Home is assisting the family (nitardyfuneralhome.com). (Written by Hugo Tscharnack)

The family wishes to thank the entire staff at Hearthstone Memory Care, Fairhaven, and Rainbow Hospice for their loving care of Hugo.

J. Paul Green, Jr., age 91, of Milton, WI, passed away on September 23rd, 2025. Son of J. Paul and Elizabeth (Johnson) Green, Paul was born in Cambridge, NY on March 8, 1934. Paul grew up first in Salem, NY, where his father taught agriculture. Soon they moved to Corning and then to Trumansburg, both in New York. In 1944 the family moved to Milton, WI, where Paul lived until 1955, except for five months in 1945 when he lived with his grandparents, Paul and Alyce Johnson, in Clarkston, WA. He had many good memories of growing up on farms in New York and Wisconsin. He graduated from Milton Union High School in 1951 and Milton College in 1955 with a double major in biology and chemistry.

Immediately following graduation, Paul married Denise Kagarise of Salemville, PA, at the Milton Seventh Day Baptist Church. Paul felt the call of God to serve in the Christian ministry, so the newlyweds went to Alfred, NY where both attended Alfred University. Paul graduated from the School of Theology in 1960.

He served as pastor of Seventh Day Baptist Churches at Alfred Station, NY, Bridgeton, NJ (Marlboro Church), and Salem WV. Paul and Denise moved to Wisconsin in 1981, where he served as Dean of Ministry for the Seventh Day Baptist General Conference at Janesville, WI and finally as pastor of North Lima Presbyterian Church, Lima Center, WI. All of the churches he served were rural or small-town churches.

Paul especially enjoyed telling stories to children, youth work, church camping and singing with quartets and other singing groups. Through the years, he and Denise sang with: Singing City of Philadelphia, PA; Madrigal Singers of Clarksburg, WV; Sanborn Festival Singers and Choral Union of Janesville, WI, and church choirs. He was always singing or whistling and had a song for every occasion.

During his retirement years he enjoyed singing with his quartet, working in his yard and garden, going on Natural Resources Field Trips with his brother, and trips with Denise to visit their children and grandchildren. He also served on several boards of directors.

Paul was a beloved husband, father, and grandfather. He is survived by his wife Denise and their children: Carl Green, Columbus, OH; Steve (Cindy Bielke) Green, St. Paul, MN; and Laurie (Debbie) Green-Lauber, Columbus, OH; five grandchildren: Richard (Emily) and Charles Dornfeld of Minnesota; Sam (Arianna Semilia); Luke (Ashley Stephens); and Ione Green-Lauber of Ohio; a great-grandson: Clark Dornfeld; and a brother, Frank Green (Liz) of Milton. He was predeceased by his parents and sisters Helen Ruth and Georgia (Colflesh).

Funeral services will be held Sunday, Oct. 5 at 11:00 a.m. with visitation preceding starting at 10:30 a.m. at the Milton Seventh Day Baptist Church, with Rev. Nate Crandall officiating. Paul will be interred at Milton Junction Cemetery privately by the family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Seventh Day Baptist Historical Society (contact sdbhistory.org) or the Janesville Choral Union (contact janesvillechoralunion.org).  The Albrecht Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Milton is assisting the family with arrangements. 

On Friday, September 19, 2025 surrounded by loved ones, Daniel “Dan” Braun passed away peacefully after a courageous battle with both Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.

Dan was born on February 7, 1947 in Bad Axe, Michigan to Clarence and Lorraine Braun. Dan was the oldest of fifteen children. Growing up on the family farm provided memories that Dan cherished until the end. And even after moving to Illinois, Dan would return every year to the family farm to help with harvesting, and more importantly, making memories with his family.

Dan began his career in the automotive industry before finding his true passion in carpentry. When he wasn’t ‘working’ building homes, you could often find Dan out in his shop building jewelry chests, cabinets, tables, benches and other gifts for those he loved. Dan’s generosity was felt by all who knew him. Whether volunteering at church or helping a friend in need, Dan was always the first one to show up.

Dan is survived by his partner of 29 years, Joan Simes, his daughter-in-law Kelly Braun and her two sons Connor and Devin, his son Keith and his wife Amy Braun along with their children Alyssa, Ashley, Cody and Shaylyn, his daughter Kim Braun and her three children MacKenzie, Jax and Cole, his stepdaughter Kim Simes and her wife Robin Fox along with their children Brennan and Sanibel. Dan is also survived by several great grandchildren, his 14 siblings and their families, a large extended family, and of course, his furry friend Niko.

Dan was preceded in death by his son Danny and his parents.

The family would like to thank the incredible staff at Our House Senior Living Memory Care in Whitewater who provided Dan a safe and happy place to spend this last chapter of his life.

All services will be held on Thursday, September 25, 2025 at St. Patrick’s Church, 1225 W. Main St. in Whitewater, WI. Visitation will be from 9:00-11:00am, funeral mass following, concluding with a luncheon at 841 Brewhouse, 841 E. Milwaukee St., Whitewater, WI.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Our House Senior Living Memory Care in memory of Dan, 945 E. Chicago St., Whitewater, WI 53190. These donations will go towards the activities and fun, including ice cream treats that Dan enjoyed during his time there.

Julie Jane (Oldenburg) Cooper died unexpectedly in a car accident on Wednesday, September 17. While her death was tragic, she died on her way to do one of the things she loved most–spending time with her church family while she shared her faith and with her husband of 51 years, Greg.

Julie was born on September 15, 1953, in Onalaska, WI and married Gregory Owen Cooper on April 6, 1974. Julie was happiest when she had her very large kitchen table filled with friends and family, which is also why she required a very large quantity of special dishes. She loved any event with a theme and had a gift for serving others through hospitality. She showed her love for Jesus by making others feel welcome and loved always. She loved her husband, her kids, and her eleven grandkids with her entire heart and was always ready to share about where their lives were currently taking them.

Julie was joined in death by her husband, Greg, and preceded in death by her parents, Donald and Jewell Oldenburg and her sister Cheryl Andriacchi. She is survived by her daughter and son and daughter-in-law, Sarah (Cooper) Olson and Owen and Staci Cooper; and eleven grandkids Kathryn Olson, Virginia Cooper, Lillian Olson, Joseph Cooper, Cooper Olson, Moriah Cooper, Finton Olson, Julia Cooper, Ruth Cooper, Joyeux Cooper, and Anya Cooper; her brother Randy (Pat) Oldenburg, her brother John (Lynn) Oldenburg, and her sister Cindy Oldenburg.

Julie’s life will be celebrated on Friday, September 26, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Willerup Church in Cambridge, WI. There will be a visitation before the service from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.  The interment service will occur immediately after with lunch to follow at Willerup Church.

Gregory Owen Cooper died unexpectedly in a car accident on Wednesday, September 17. While his death was tragic, he died on his way to do one of the things he loved most– volunteering with kids and sharing his faith and with his wife of 51 years, Julie. 

Greg was born in Belvidere, IL on May 10, 1951, and married Julie Jane (Oldenburg) Cooper on April 6, 1974. Greg preferred to be known as the funniest guy we’ve ever known. He was an amazing carpenter, a solver of problems, a more sensitive man than he sometimes cared to admit, but most of all a person who cared for those around him and quietly served others in any way he could. He loved his wife, his kids, all eleven of his grandkids, and Jesus.  

Greg was joined in death by his wife, Julie, and preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Ruby Cooper. He is survived by his daughter and son and daughter-in-law, Sarah (Cooper) Olson and Owen and Staci Cooper; and eleven grandkids Kathryn Olson, Virginia Cooper, Lillian Olson, Joseph Cooper, Cooper Olson, Moriah Cooper, Finton Olson, Julia Cooper, Ruth Cooper, Joyeux Cooper, and Anya Cooper; and his sister Christine (Cooper) Rink. 

Greg’s life will be celebrated on Friday, September 26, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Willerup Church in Cambridge, WI. There will be a visitation before the service from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.  The interment service will occur immediately after with lunch to follow at Willerup Church. 

Colleen Marie Eissens
June 18, 1962 – September 3, 2025

Colleen Marie Eissens passed away on September 3rd, 2025 surrounded by her loved ones at home. Colleen was born on June 18, 1962, in Wayne County, Michigan. A passionate lover of science and the mysteries of the unknown, Colleen carried an enduring curiosity and spirit of discovery throughout her life.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Jeff Halko, and her parents, Alice Acker and Alvin Eissens.

She is survived by her devoted children: Chloe (Jesus) Barbosa, Skylar (Danya) Gabel-Eissens, and Sean (Estefani) Gabel-Eissens; her grandson Tybalt, her loving stepmother, Rose Eissens; her cherished siblings, Jodi Anderson, Rodney Eissens, and Kimberly McMahon; and her loyal dog, Kira.

Colleen was the proud co-owner of Picture Perfect Window Cleaning alongside Jeff. Together, they built not just a business but a life full of shared dreams and daily joys.

She will be remembered for her sharp mind, her boundless curiosity, and the warmth she brought to those around her.

“Life is no brief candle. It is a splendid torch of which I got to hold for a moment.” — George Bernard Shaw

A memorial to celebrate Colleen’s life will be held next spring.