Life Events

Scott Jon Piddington, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and brother, passed away on Sunday, January 23 in Durham, North Carolina at the age of 79.

Scott was born February 15, 1942, to Percy and Margaret Piddington (Gundlach) in Viroqua, Wisconsin. After college and three years in the Marine Corps, he moved to Los Angeles, California, where he met the love of his life, Jennifer Piddington (Valetti). They were married on August 11, 1972, and welcomed three daughters beginning in 1974; Andrea Ellen Piddington, Amie Marie Piddington, and Marci Piddington Hansen.

Scott was the original “girl dad” and taught his daughters the value of hard work, curiosity, and independence. His favorite response to their questions about almost anything was often, “Go look it up.” Scott and Jennifer moved to her hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1973, where Scott very quickly became a lifelong Steelers fan and spent most Sunday afternoons watching football games with his family, all yelling at the TV.

In 1989, Scott and his family moved to Durham, North Carolina for a new job, beginning a new adventure as a family. He retired from his lifelong sales and service career in the engineering industry in 2013 at the age of 70. The birth of his first granddaughter, Julia, in 2010 was one of the happiest moments of his life, followed by Lyla in 2013, who, much to his delight, shared his love of newspaper comics; he loved being Papa to Julia and Lyla. Scott was an animal lover, and greatly adored his dogs and granddogs as well.

Scott was preceded in death by his mother, Margaret Gundlach Piddington, father, Percy Allen Piddington, and stepmother Vera Haney Piddington. He is survived by his beloved wife, Jennifer Piddington (Valetti), his daughters, Andrea Ellen Piddington, Amie Marie Piddington, and Marci Piddington Hansen (Corey Hansen), and his two granddaughters, Julia Jane Hansen and Lyla Drew Hansen, brother Bruce Piddington, brother Richard Haney, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

A visitation for Scott is planned for Thursday, January 27, 2022, from 5 pm to 7 pm at the Hall-Wynne Funeral Service, 1113 W. Main St., Durham, NC 27701; all are invited to attend. The funeral mass will be held on Friday, January 28, 2022 at 11:00 am at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 810 W Chapel Hill Street, Durham, NC 27701.

In lieu of flowers, people wishing to honor Scott’s lifelong love of animals can make donations in Scott’s memory to Saving Grace Animals for Adoption (https://savinggracenc.org/).

Vicki Ann Powell, 54, of Whitewater passed away on Monday, January 17, 2022.

Vicki was born and raised in Austin, Minnesota. She graduated with a degree in medical assisting in Wisconsin. She worked several years at the clinic in Whitewater, Wisconsin. Vicki was loving and strong-willed. She will be greatly missed by all who love her.

Vicki is survived by her significant other, Terrence Cunningham; kids, Allie (Rick) Born, Aaron (Ashley) Sherman, Josiah Cunningham; grandchildren, Sydney, Finley, Alonzo; mother, Cheryl (David) Stigney; siblings, Lisa (Paul) Sangineto, Kris (Vern) Maier, Laura (Bobby) Gladden, Steve (Kristie) Dennison, Todd Dennison, Kathy Brechtal, Melissa Root; aunt, Vickie Waltz; several nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her brothers, Chad and Frankie Dennison.

The family plans to hold services at a later date in Minnesota.

May God Bless her soul.

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

Wayne E. Tucker, age 84 of Janesville passed away on January 19, 2022, at SSM Health St. Mary’s Janesville Hospital. He was born on September 25, 1937, in Whitewater, the son of Harry and Gertrude (Morrisey) Tucker. He grew up in Whitewater and was a graduate of Whitewater High School. He was a U.S. Army veteran. 

Wayne married LouAnne E. Gunderson on August 25, 1962. He retired from General Motors and during part of the time he was working there he was also employed by Adams Concrete Company driving a concrete truck. He was a member of U.A.W. Local #95 and a former member of the Swingin Squares square dance group. Wayne’s interests included being an avid Green Bay Packers fan, his love of deer hunting with his sons, being a NASCAR fan, his great joy of spending time at the cabin that he built with his sons and traveling with his wife, LouAnne. He was a member of Faith Lutheran Church. 

Wayne Tucker is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years, LouAnne Tucker; sons, Brian Tucker of Janesville and Bruce (Amy) Tucker of Gleason, Wis.; grandchildren, Erin Tucker of Brooklyn, NY and Carson Tucker of Roscoe, Ill.; brother, Dean Tucker of Whitewater; and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Richard Tucker and sisters-in-law, Audrey Tucker and Ellen Tucker. 

“Wayne’s family wishes to give a special thanks to the staff at SSM Health St. Mary’s Janesville Hospital, especially nurses, Diane and Megan, and last but not least speech therapist, Amy.”  

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Thursday, January 27, 2022 at FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH, 2116 Mineral Point Ave., Janesville with services to follow at the CHURCH at 11 a.m. Thursday. Rev. Paula Harris will officiate. Military rites will be conducted by Kienow-Hilt V.F.W. Post #1621 following the church service. Private burial will be at a later date at Milton Lawns Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Humane Society of Southern Wisconsin or Faith Lutheran Church. 

Wayne Tucker’s family is being assisted by HENKE-CLARSON FUNERAL HOME. Online condolences may be sent to www.henkeclarson.com 

Richard (Dick) E. Riddle, age 87, of Whitewater, WI was a caring Husband, Father, Grand Father, Great Grand Father, Uncle and Friend. Dick was a passionate photographer and always had a camera in hand and sometimes around his neck as well. Dick passed away peacefully on January 12, 2022, at Rainbow Hospice, Johnson Creek WI. Dick was born on August 19, 1934, the son of Ludia J. (Gholson) Riddle and Earl Riddle, in Bloomfield, Indiana where he loved growing up and would return to visit his lifelong friends as often as possible.

Dick graduated from Bloomfield, Indiana High School in 1952 and that is where his passion for basketball began playing as #22 on the Bloomfield High School Basketball team. After high school, he began a forty-year newspaper career in advertising, sales, and management positions at daily and weekly newspapers in Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin.

He was married to Carole L. John of Schofield, Wisconsin, they had two daughters, Vicki, and Nicki. On February 1, 1969, Dick married Jane Nehring Burdick of Watertown, Wisconsin in Crystal Lake, IL, and the couple made their first home in Chicago. Dick and Jane returned to Wisconsin soon after, where they were residents of Eagle for thirty years. That home became the setting for many wonderful memories. When the home outgrew their needs and the yard became too big to care for, they moved to an Oconomowoc condo for many years. Dick’s final residence was at Fairhaven Senior Services where he loved his new apartment and made many new friends.

After retirement in 1992, Dick served on the Board of Directors of Friends of Old World Wisconsin and later accepted a staff position at the living history outdoor museum where he coordinated school and adult tours and developed advertising promotions for local, regional, and national media. He was a former member of the Lions Club of Eagle and enjoyed watching college basketball, especially Indiana University, and loved all Wisconsin sports teams, The Wisconsin Badgers, The Milwaukee Brewers and The Green Bay Packers. After retiring from Old World, Dick and Jane enjoyed many winters in Ormond Beach, Florida and were thankful to the Miles family to allow them this opportunity. Dick also enjoyed bicycling and spending more time with his family and friends.

Memories of Dick and all the wonderful stories he told will be forever cherished and kept alive by his adoring family; Vicki (Charles) Johnson of Sycamore, IL, and Nicki (Gene) Sturchio of Maryville, TN; five grandchildren: Garet Ramos of Phoenix, AZ; Suzanne (Brad) Cessna of Maple Park, IL; Kenna (Alexander) Simpkins and Savanna Broyles of Maryville, TN, Candace (Brandon) Reynolds of DeKalb, IL. Seven great grandchildren: Blair Ramos (Hannah, Blair’s mother), Nora Jane and Reverie Claire Bradley, Axel Baine and Asher Simpkins (due any minute), Bonnie Louise, and Landon Michael Cessna, brother-in-law Ken (Sandy) Nehring, niece Sally (Don) Pope of Whitewater, WI; nephew Dr. Scott Nehring, great niece Dr. Emilee Nehring (Carl), great nephew Brett Nehring (Liz) of Woodburn, Oregon, great nieces Abby Nehring and Kenley Pope of Whitewater, Wisconsin.

Dick was predeceased in death by his parents, brother Joe Riddle, wife Jane Riddle, stepdaughter Nancy J. Burdick, sister-in-law Jan Nehring, and nephew Dan Nehring.

The family would like to thank the wonderful caregivers at Fairhaven Senior Services in Whitewater, Wisconsin and Rainbow Hospice Care in Johnson Creek, Wisconsin.

Dick has requested to be cremated. His ashes will be interned at Oak Hill Cemetery in Watertown, Wisconsin. Due to the Covid-19 virus there will be no funeral at this time.

Memorials may be made to American Cancer Society, American Heart Association or Rainbow Hospice in Johnson Creek, Wisconsin.

Pederson-Nowatka Funeral Homes is caring for the family. To place an online condolence please visit www.pn-fh.com.

Ann M. “Annie” Colson, 69, of Whitewater passed away on Saturday, January 15, 2022 surrounded by her loving family at home.

Annie was born on June 8, 1952 in Cicero, Illinois to Carl and Lorraine (Holada) Schaber. She was the oldest of seven. Annie graduated from Morton East High School in Cicero, Illinois. In 2001, Annie met Darrel Colson and later married in 2009 in Las Vegas.

Her enjoyments include fishing, quilting, knitting, crafting, woodworking, and especially spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Annie is survived by her husband, Darrel Colson; children, Becky (Matt) Coulson, Lori Dotson, Judie (Johnny) Osgood, James (Irene) Osgood, Kasandra (Jason) Kast; grandchildren, Jessica, Kris, Alicia, Nicholas, Brittany, Kristy, Elizabeth, Cynthia, Jennifer; great-grandchildren, Kryston, Jace, Duncan, Connor, Eloise, Braxto, Izaaik; siblings, Richard (Camille) Schaber, John (Jenny) Schaber, Paul (Leslie) Schaber, Ron Schaber; and many loving cousins, nieces, and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Lorraine Schaber; sister, Cindy Schaber; and brother, Carl Schaber.

At Annie’s request, there will be no formal services.

The family would like to give special thanks to the Rainbow Hospice staff in Jefferson for their exceptional care for Annie. Donations may be made to Rainbow Hospice in honor of Annie.

Online condolences can be made at www.nitardyfuneralhome.com

Genevieve “Genny” Ruth (Storck) Goehl, 89, of Whitewater stayed true to the way she lived; she went out on her own terms, in her own home, quickly and decisively on January 7, 2022, leaving us all to wonder what she had been up to.

Genevieve was born on May 20, 1932 in Richmond, Wisconsin to Emil and Anna (Krueger) Storck. They farmed and also ran the Whitehill Tavern in Richmond. Genny attended school in Whitewater, and during the time she was at City High, she met Walter “Wally” Goehl. Of course, she had to have him, and they married on April 16, 1950. Together, they had three children: Linda, Barbara, and James Goehl. They farmed in the Milton area until they bought the farm on Highway N in 1963. They also had “city” jobs in the early years. Genny worked at Whitewater Electronics and then a grocery store until she settled at Sentry Foods. She retired after more than 35 years at that store.

Wally and Genny took trips to Florida, and after Wally died in 1991, her many trips were with daughter, Barb, or her sisters. Her family was very important to her, and her social life revolved around family.

Genny loved to bowl and was very good at it, playing in a league for years. When arthritis wouldn’t let her bowl anymore, she still was an enthusiastic snowmobiler. She belonged to both the Whitewater Sno-Seekers and the Koshkonong Club. As life slowed down, she lived to play golf and would never be seen riding in a cart. She was an energetic person who only sat still to socialize. Genny had the cleanest house, the perfect lawn, and she loved gardening and preserving all she grew. When she could no longer do these things, in her mid 80’s, she tried to keep the family work up to her standards. All that drove by her once picture perfect home knew that Genny was no longer able to do what she loved. In the last years, the highlight of her weeks were her bi-weekly trips to town to visit with friends, and get on “The Pool.” She really loved to win. Once walking and driving were just getting too hard to do, she mostly gave that up. She was a proud woman, who really did not want help, and kept her independence to the end.

Genny was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Whitewater.

She is survived by her children, Barbara Miller, James (Jelaine) Goehl; grandchildren, Scott (Tylena) Hamilton, Mark (Tammy) Hamilton, Leslee Miller, Jarod (Amanda) Goehl, Daniel (Star) Goehl, Michael (Jade) Goehl, Jeff Hamilton; great-grandchildren, Kyle Hamilton, Clara Hamilton, Lane Hamilton, Tyler Hamilton, Corey Hamilton, Kaylee Goehl, Keira Goehl, Gabrielle Goehl, Joshua Goehl, Elizabeth Goehl, Matthew Goehl, Abigail Goehl, Rebekah Goehl; brother, Melvin (Judy) Storck; sister-in-law, Susan Storck; good friend, Sally Lilley; many nieces and nephews.

Genny was preceded in death by her parents, Emil and Anna Storck; husband, Wally Goehl; daughter, Linda Hamilton; and siblings, Lawrence Storck, Rosie Peyer, Phyllis Butke.

Donations may be made in Genny’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Funeral services will take place at 12 PM on Thursday, January 13, 2022 at Nitardy Funeral Home in Whitewater. Visitation will take place from 11 AM until the time of services.

Online condolences can be made at www.nitardyfuneralhome.com

David Donald Murphy, 77, of Whitewater, Wisconsin, formerly of Dubuque, Iowa, has gone home to be with the Lord on December 17th, 2021.

He was resting peacefully surrounded by his wife, their children and immediate family when he passed away.

Dave, born December 26, 1943, was the oldest of seven children to Donald and Lucille (Knockel) Murphy of Dubuque, and the oldest of 44 grandchildren of William and Kate Knockel of St. Catherine’s, Iowa. David “Dave” and Karen “Kay” Pfohl were married in 1966, and they spent their life showing their children how to work hard and to love each other.

Dave was a graduate of Wahlert High School and DeVry University, Chicago. He enjoyed camping with his children, gardening and teaching his grandchildren about history, math and the solar system.

He is survived by his wife, Karen, of Whitewater, WI; his children Bill (Nicole) Murphy of Dubuque, Rob Murphy of Rockford, Illinois, Doug (Kara) Murphy of Dubuque, Scott Murphy of Island Lake, Illinois, Dana (Cory) Newmann of Whitewater, Wisconsin and Brian Murphy of Janesville, Wisconsin, 13 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He is also survived by three sisters, two brothers and two aunts.

Dave is preceded in death by his parents, Don and Lucille Murphy, his brother Tom Murphy, his brother-in-law Mike Schmitt, his brother in-law Patrick Lansing, his in-laws Clarence and Gertrude (Ramaker) Pfohl, and Marty and Tootsie Kelly, his children’s adopted grandparents.

A private service will be held for immediate family due to COVID-19, and a celebration of life will be held at a later date for extended family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established and gifts will be made in Dave’s memory. 

Trudy A. Thatcher, 67, of Whitewater passed away on December 11, 2021 at The Glenwood in Whitewater.

Trudy was born to Wilbur and Gertrude (Dietz) Thatcher on November, 27, 1954 in Waukegan, Illinois. 

She was an avid fan of the Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Bucks and Brewers.

Trudy is survived by her sisters, Therese Fleming of Fort Atkinson, Celena (Doug) Gwaltney of Antioch, IL, Liz Thatcher of Milton, Chris (Paul) Trewyn of Whitewater; brother, Brian Thatcher of Whitewater; many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Wilbur and Gertrude Thatcher; and brother, Thomas Thatcher.

A memorial mass will take place at 11 AM on January 8, 2021 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Whitewater.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Rainbow Hospice, Wisconsin American Cancer Society, or a charity of one’s choice.

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