Life Events

Rogerio (Roy) Yanez, age 80, was called home peacefully on Thursday, May 26, 2022, surrounded by his wife, daughters, and grandchildren. Formerly of La Feria, TX, and Chandler, AZ, during his rebel days, he spent the last two decades braving the snow and cheeseheads in Wisconsin where his daughters decided to settle. Firstborn to Rogerio and Amelia, Roy spent his youth helping his family in the fields of Arizona as a migrant worker and young adulthood in the military. Having endured Vietnam, he developed the stoic disposition that endeared him to his family. He loved his coffee, tobacco, and westerns. He did not need words to express his love for his family and his dad jokes and grandchildren brought out the light inside him every time. 

He is survived by his “viejita güerita,” Sonia; daughters, Rosalinda Martinez, Cinthia (Fernando) Luna-Saldivar, and Yasmine (Michael) Luna-Lennon; and grandchildren, Amaru, Mateo, Gabriel, and Analìa who will carry the memory of a gentle man that loved his family fiercely. The family will hold a private celebration of life.

Robert Johnson DeBaufer “a/k/a R.J.”, no one else had a laugh quite like it. Unforgettable. Loud and raucous. Just the opposite from the generally quiet, gentle giant of a man. RJ passed away the week of May 16 in his camper near Hollister, WI just as Spring was unfolding a promise of many days of fishing and spending time on his wooded land adjoining the National Forest watching the trillium bloom and observing the woodland wildlife. He was born in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin to Robert and Sally DeBaufer on June 4, 1961. He somehow survived growing up in Whitewater, Wisconsin with three older sisters: Anne DeBaufer Carlson, Susan DeBaufer Johnson and Betsy DeBaufer Loss. Despite numerous challenges, he graduated from Whitewater High School and the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater where he enjoyed the company of his TKE brothers. After leaving the Navy, he became a computer specialist for Oscar Mayer/Kraft and DynaTechNewStar and most recently worked at Nine Mile campground. He never lost his great interest in politics. R.J. is survived by his beloved daughter Allison and ex-wife, Jane Fitzgerald and her family. He is also survived by his sister, Susan and her family, two special cousins from Georgia and their families, and many nieces and nephews. Not the least important to R.J., he leaves many friends, including his lifelong friend Kurt Seeburger, who will surely miss his genuine kindness as well as his ability to tell some pretty outlandish stories and of course, that laugh. The world has lost one of the good ones.

In accordance with R.J.’s wishes, no services will be held. Memorials in Robert’s name can be made to The Sierra Club and White Lake ATV Club.

Strasser-Roller Funeral Home is assisting the family. Friends may visit online at strasserrollerfuneralhome.com.

The family of John Newhouse is very sorry to announce that due to COVID-19 infections within their family it is necessary to cancel his Celebration of Life that was scheduled for Saturday, May 28.

Jane Markham, 62, passed away Saturday, May 21,2022 at her home in Port Washington of complications of diabetes.

Jane was born April 8, 1960 in Madison, Wisconsin, to Neal and Anna (Shepherd) Markham. She graduated from Whitewater High School in 1978, earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Sociology from UW-Whitewater in 1983, and a Bachelor of Science in nursing from UW-Milwaukee in 1988.

As a behavioral health registered nurse, Jane spent much of her 30-year career advocating for the mental health of her clients in Southeast Wisconsin. Jane had a talent for creating beauty, and enjoyed planting flowers wherever she lived.

Jane is survived by her sisters Elizabeth Ann (John) Catania, Phyllis Shepherd (Steve Millard), Sharon (David) Hahn, seven nephews, and longtime friend Skip Sharkey.
A memorial will be planned at a later time.

James Emil Toennies, age 88, passed away on Friday, May 13, 2022 at his home in Whitewater, WI.  He was born on May 22, 1933, in Sheboygan, WI to Emil and Bertha Toennies.

Jim grew up in Sheboygan, WI and was the youngest of two boys. He attended Sheboygan North High School, graduating in 1951. After high school Jim attended UW-La Crosse where he played college basketball. He graduated in June, 1955 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education. In July, he married his high school sweetheart, Margaret F. Lonsdorf and in August was drafted into the U.S. Army to be stationed in Seoul, South Korea for eighteen months.  Upon his return, Jim received a Master of Science degree from UW-La Crosse in Physical Education and subsequently taught and coached basketball in Des Plaines, IL and Sheboygan, WI. In 1962, Jim was hired at UW-Whitewater where he taught physical and health education for thirty-one years before retiring in 1993. In 1971, he obtained a Doctorate of Health & Safety degree from Indiana University. During his time at UW-Whitewater, Jim served several years as intramural director, cross country coach, assistant track coach, health education coordinator, and the Williams Center facilities coordinator.

Jim also served his community in many ways. He was a member of the Whitewater Breakfast Kiwanis Club and served as Chairperson of the Whitewater Parks and Recreation Board for six years. He served on several committees including the local Housing Committee, Swim Fundraising and Skateboard Fundraising committees, and the Special Olympics.

Jim enjoyed playing tennis, riding with his bike club, cross county skiing, swimming, and camping with his family and friends. He especially loved watching all of his kids and grandkids play in sporting events. In retirement, Jim and Margaret spent every winter in Estero, Florida where he loved having his children and grandchildren visit. Jim was an avid supporter of all Warhawk sports. He also enjoyed attending UW-Madison Badger football and basketball games and following the Brewers, Packers and Bucks. Jim especially enjoyed gathering with family and friends for morning coffee or afternoon happy hour to shoot the breeze.

Jim is survived by his wife, Margaret of Whitewater; sons: David (Joanne) of Middleton; Steve of Lake Geneva; Bill of McFarland, and daughter: Lisa (John) Walsh of Sun Prairie, grandchildren: Kristine and Kimberly Walsh of Sun Prairie, Bailey and Daniel Toennies of McFarland, and Jack and Cole Toennies of Middleton. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Donald; and son, Robert.

Those planning an expression of sympathy may donate to:

The James E. and Margaret F. Scholarship Fund c/o UW-Whitewater Foundation, Inc.  800 W. Main Street, Whitewater, WI 53190, or

The First English Lutheran Church, 401 W. Main Street, Whitewater, WI.

Private services for the family will be held at Hillside Cemetery in Whitewater, WI.  

A Celebration of Life open house will be held on July 9th, 2022 in Whitewater. Please refer back to this link: https://nitardyfuneralhome.com/tribute/details/268633/James-Toennies/obituary.html#tribute-start for a specific time and location as the date nears. 

Online condolences may be made at https://nitardyfuneralhome.com

Senora Margarita (Carrillo) Zamora, 95, of Whitewater passed away on Tuesday, May 10, 2022 surrounded by her loving family at her home.

Margarita was born on October 17, 1926 in Amarillo, Texas to Porfirio and Herlinda Carrillo. She was married to her husband, Jose Zamora Sr. and they spent over 70 years raising their family of seven children.

Margarita loved to sew, cooking, shopping, helping with her grandchildren and going to breakfast with family. She truly enjoyed caring for her grandchildren and her family was most important to her.

Margarita was survived by her children, Othon (Guadalupe) Zamora of Whitewater, Evelio (Maria) Zamora of Texas, Ana M. (Alfredo) Lira of Whitewater, Jose (Kathy) Zamora of Whitewater, Herlinda Zamora of Texas; grandchildren, Jennifer Zamora, Adam Zamora, Gerardo Zamora, Juan Manuel Zamora, Fred (Jennifer) Lira, Melissa (Mike) Jouni, Vanessa (Josh) Kubitz, Daniel (Marie) Zamora, Zachary Zamora, Jose (Angie Fryer) Zamora, Lance (Anndrea) Brown; 18 great-grandchildren; special dog, CC Marie; many other friends and family.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Jose Zamora Sr.; infant child; and son, Juan Manuel.

The family would like to give special thanks to Rainbow Hospice staff Gretchen and Kendra for their exceptional care for Margarita.

A mass of Christian burial will take place at 1 p.m. on Monday, May 16, 2022 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Whitewater. A visitation will take place from 11 a.m. until the time of mass. A burial will follow mass at Calvary Cemetery.

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