Life Events

David A. Schultz, 65, of Bedford, Texas, formerly of Whitewater, Wisconsin passed away on July 21, 2021 after a 2 plus years battle with cancer.  A Celebration of Life will be held in Bedford, Texas on August  7, 2021.

Blanche Libby Grum, 94, Whitewater, passed away on Saturday, July 17, 2021 at Mulberry Glen Assisted Living in Whitewater.

Blanche was born on August 2, 1926 in Chicago, Il to Vaclav and Marie (Stoural) Schwartz. She moved to Czechoslovakia at the age of 3. Following her father’s death she moved back to Chicago at age 19. Blanche married Henry Grum. They moved to a small farm south of Whitewater after retirement. He preceded her in death over 30 years ago. Blanche loved playing cards, sewing and she made yo-yo quilts.

She is survived by her son Henry (Jeannie McKay) Grum, Newberg,Oregon; close friend Rev. Sandra Mineau, Rockford, IL, Sandra, Adrean, Maria, Isabella and Griffin Mineau and many church family friends from St. Patrick Catholic Church.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, July 23, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 1225 W. Main St., Whitewater, WI 53190. Burial will follow in Hillside Cemetery, Whitewater. Friends may call at the church on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service.

A special thanks to Agrace Hospice and the staff at Mulberry Glen for the care they showed to Blanche. Memorials may be made in Blanche’s name to the Whitewater Food Pantry.

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

Nancy Carroll Paynter McCord Morrow, 86, of Whitewater, Wisconsin passed away surrounded by friends and family on Wednesday, July 14th.

Nancy was born on January 31, 1935, in Whitewater, Wisconsin, the daughter of Meredith (Bob) & Eldora (Zanton) Paynter. She was the first of seven children.

Nancy graduated from Whitewater High School in 1952 and continued her education at Wisconsin State College – Whitewater.

She married James Arthur McCord in 1953. They had two children, Meredith Ann and James Arthur Junior.  While her husband was serving in the Korean War, Nancy and her family lived with her mother and siblings. Upon his return from the war, the family moved to Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point in North Carolina. After completion of his military career, they moved to the McCord Homestead in Wisconsin.

After the passing of her husband James, Nancy later married Robert Ray Morrow on January 6^th, 1968. They had one son, Joseph Robert.

Nancy worked as a bookkeeper in various automotive industries for over 60 years. She also briefly worked at Commercial Bank here in Whitewater. For the majority of her bookkeeping career, she worked at Havill-Spoerl Dealership, where she formed many lifelong friendships.

Nancy was very involved in the Whitewater Community. She was intimately involved in her children’s many school and sporting activities. She was a member of the Whitewater Booster club, actively involved in the First English Lutheran Church and an avid sports fan (to say the least), of the Whippets, Warhawks, Badgers, Packers, Bucks and Brewers. With Nancy’s love of life, she made friends everywhere she went. She was known and loved by many.  Her family was everything to her and she was the heart of the family.

Nancy is survived by her three children, Meredith McCord of Tigard, OR, Jim (Teri) McCord of Tigard, OR, and COL Joseph (Susan) Morrow, United States Army, currently stationed at Scott Air Force Base, IL; two granddaughters, Brittany (Matt) Reader, Krista (Kyle) Sprecher, and three great-grandchildren, Annabelle, Olivia and Jordan Reader, siblings Elizabeth “Liz”, Robert “Bob”, and Arlene “Enie” and special sister-in-laws, Nubby and Ceila along with many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Nancy was preceded in death by her husband James Arthur McCord (1964), husband Robert Ray Morrow (2018), parents Meredith and Eldora (Zanton) Paynter, and her siblings LaVern, Aryln, and Myron.

Visitation will be from 1:00 pm until 3:00 pm and Memorial Service will follow at First English Lutheran Church in Whitewater on Monday July 19th. Nancy will be laid to rest at Hillside Cemetery in Whitewater on Tuesday, July 20^th at 10:00 am.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Return of the Nightingale Project (Return of the Nightingale Project, C/O Meredith McCord, P.O. Box 83126, Portland, OR 97283), or Whitewater American Legion Post 173 in support of Military Veterans (Robert Paynter, 824 E. Main Street, Whitewater. 53190).

The Nitardy Funeral Home is assisting the family. Online condolences may be given to the family at www.nitardyfuneralhome.com.

Ronald J. Rein, 76, of Fort Atkinson passed away on Thursday, July 15, 2021 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison, WI.

Ron was born on June 14, 1945 in Burlington, WI to Ellsworth and Vernetta (Heiligenthal) Rein.  He graduated from Burlington High School in Burlington, WI.  On April 24, 1970 he met Ann Witkins and they married six months later. She preceded him in death on March 19, 2021. Together, Ron and Ann would raise two children in Palmyra.  Ron worked for Waukesha Engines and retired in 1999.  He enjoyed watching the Bucks, Packers and the Brewers. He also loved his grandchildren, fishing, and camping.  Ron was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

Ron is survived by his children: Brian Rein, Tammy (Michael) Boyd; grandchildren Lilly and Brooke Boyd; sister Jeanne (Richard) Stelmaszewski.  He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Ann.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 20, 2021 from 10-11 a.m. at the Nitardy Funeral Home, 550 N. Newcomb St., Whitewater, WI 53190.  Burial will follow in the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Palmyra. As an expression of sympathy you may wish to consider memorials to the Jefferson County Humane Society.  Online condolences may be made at www.nitardyfuneralhome.com

(Updated on July 16 with correction to high school. There will not be a service at the funeral home,)

Lois Jeanne Reisman, 78, of Whitewater, Wisconsin passed away peacefully into eternal life on Sunday, December 20, 2020 at Fairhaven Senior Services with Rainbow Hospice care. 

A celebration of life will take place at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 22, 2021 at Nitardy Funeral Home, 550 N. Newcomb Street, Whitewater, WI 53190.  A time to meet the family will take place from 3 p.m. until time of service. A time to share memories of Lois will take place from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. after the celebration of life service.

Online condolences can be made at www.nitardyfuneralhome.com 

John W. Riedel, 79, of Whitewater passed away on Friday, July 9, 2021 at Rainbow Hospice Inpatient Center. Per John’s request, no formal service will take place. John will be laid to rest at Cold Spring Cemetery. Nitardy Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences can be made at www.nitardyfuneralhome.com

On the evening of Monday, June 28, 2021, Elizabeth (Beth) Eachor, 98, passed away peacefully in Whitewater, Wisconsin, in the company of her dear friend, Allen Grady.

Beth was born on April 21, 1923 to Edwin and Anna Harris Boyd on their family farm outside of Whitewater. Beth was active in 4-H as a youth and later as a 4-H leader. She met Francis (Fran) Eachor in March 1938 while performing in a 4-H play that he helped to direct, and they courted for the next five years. Beth graduated from Whitewater City High School in 1940. On June 7, 1943, Beth and Fran were married in a double ceremony that included her elder sister Sarah and brother-in-law Vincent Stubbs.

Beth and Fran had three daughters: Annette, Nancy, and Linda. As a family, they enjoyed taking road trips each summer to explore historic sites throughout the United States, including the Gulf Coast, where Beth and Fran would eventually spend their retirement. Unconventionally for her time, Beth resumed her education after having her children, earning her B.A. from the University of Wisconsin, Whitewater. Beth’s teaching career started in Rock County, and she taught in Fort Atkinson until her retirement in 1981.

Following her retirement, Beth and her husband started a new chapter in their lives when they moved from Fort Atkinson to Spanish Cove in Lillian, Alabama. For thirty happy years, Beth lived a full life in retirement, enjoying frequent cross-country trips in the family camper with Fran as they traveled to visit relatives in such far-flung places as Wisconsin, New York, and California. For entertainment, they loved visiting with friends and attending square dances, often in matching outfits made by Beth herself. Following Fran’s passing in 1990, Beth devoted more time to her community and friends, becoming active in the Baldwin Literature Council as a tutor and joining the Red Hat Society. Her pioneer spirit compelled her to travel the world extensively as a member of the South Alabama Senior Travelers, visiting Alaska, Hawaii, France, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Sicily, Italy, Wales, Ireland, Spain, Bermuda, Canada, Austria, Scotland, Panama, Costa Rica, Columbia, Mexico, the Bahamas, Curaçao, Nova Scotia, Australia, Greece, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Russia, Finland, and Switzerland.

The proud descendent of Scotch-Irish Presbyterians who founded the North Lima Presbyterian Church in 1850, Beth made her Christian faith a cornerstone of her family’s life. In her retirement, she was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Foley, Alabama, serving in many different capacities: Elder, Sunday School teacher, Vacation Bible School teacher, Presbyterian Women member, and Stephen Minister. She was awarded a Life Membership in Presbyterian Women for her leadership skills.

In 2011, Beth returned to Whitewater, where she resided at Fairhaven. During her time there, she enjoyed participating in many activities. This included providing interviews to UW Whitewater students about her time as an elementary school teacher. Until the start of the pandemic made such interactions impossible, she was still sharing her love of teaching with UW students. Beth also became a member of the Congregational United Church of Christ and their Women’s Group. Further, she was active in the Alpha Minnieska Club, part of the Whitewater Federation of Women’s Clubs, and she was also a member of the Wisconsin Education Association.

Beth was a strong and loving matriarch who provided her family with a sense of continuity across both time and space: she preserved ancestral memories through the stories and mementos she passed down to her children and grandchildren, and she traveled all over the US, visiting family until well into her 80s. Although she would not have considered herself a feminist, the way in which she balanced career and family, and her determination to continue living a full life following the passing of her husband, seems more in keeping with the social attitudes of younger generations than those of her contemporaries. Beth thoroughly enjoyed socializing and playing cards, and she was always impeccably dressed for every occasion, her outfits coordinated to the smallest detail. Throughout her life, Beth cherished her relationships with her many faithful and steadfast friends. She also believed in caring for those who were unwell or in need, and she lived this belief by being attentive to sick friends and family and by donating to various charities. She brought great joy to family and friends, and she will be greatly missed.

Beth was preceded in death by her husband, Francis, her sister, Sarah Stubbs, of Whitewater, and her daughter, Annette Setka, of Garrison, TX. Survivors include daughters Nancy (Kenn) Bailey of Hollister, CA and Linda (Terry) Floeter of Portage, WI; grandchildren Trisha Garcia, Tanja (Wyatt) Edenfield, Monique (Michael) Wicker, Jessica (Scott) Stellmacher, Elizabeth (Bryan) Miller, Stella Setka (Ethan Alexander), Nicholas (Amy) Bailey, Robert Bailey, and James Floeter; great-grandchildren Niko Garcia, Nathan Wicker, Colton Wicker, Carter Wicker, Ava Stellmacher, William Miller, Madisen Miller, Brinkley Miller, Benjamin Edenfield, Vivian Edenfield, Emma Bailey, Zelda Alexander, and J. Wilder Alexander.

Beth’s family would like to offer special thanks to Allen Grady, her very dear friend, whose kindness and companionship brought Beth much joy during her years at Fairhaven.

A memorial service is scheduled for Friday, September 10, 2021 at Nitardy Funeral Home in Whitewater. Visitation begins at 10 a.m., with a service to follow at 11. Interment will take place immediately after the service at Hillside cemetery in Whitewater. The family asks for donations in lieu of flowers addressed to:

Friends of Fairhaven
Attn:  Beth Johnson
435 W. Starin Rd
Whitewater, WI 53190

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

Laurie J Deegan, 65, of Whitewater passed away on Tuesday, July 6, 2021 at her home surrounding her loving family.

Laurie was born on November 7, 1955 to William and Clara Brzezinski. She grew up in Greenwood, Wisconsin where she met her husband, Ron Deegan. On November 25, 1971 Ron married Laurie and together they moved to Whitewater.

She loved reading books, solving puzzles, being in her flower garden, going for long walks, and later in life spending time with her four grandchildren. For years, she was in the Whitewater bowling league, horseshoe league, and dartball league.

Laurie is survived by her husband, Ron Deegan; daughter, Jenny (Jim) James; four grandchildren, Angelo James, Luke James, Genevieve James, Joseph James; seven sisters and one brother.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Bill and Clara Brzezinski; and son, Jesse Deegan.

A memorial service for Laurie will take place at 1 p.m. on Monday, July 12, 2021 at Nitardy Funeral Home, 550 N. Newcomb St., Whitewater, WI 53190. A visitation will take place from 11 a.m. until the time of service.

The family would like to give special thanks to Rainbow Hospice staff for their exceptional care for Laurie.

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

Alice P. Autry (Markham), age 70, of Silver Spring, Maryland succumbed to the effects of a long illness on July 3. “Patty” to her friends and family is survived by her husband of 42 years David, their son Michael and his wife Krista, three grandchildren Piper, Nora, and Connor of Gaithersburg, Maryland, and four sisters: Beth (Elizabeth Ann) Catania of Bedford, Virginia; Phyllis Shepherd of Portland, Oregon; Jane Markham, of Port Washington, Wisconsin; and Sharon Hahn, of Rice Lake, Wisconsin. Ms. Autry attended high school in Whitewater, Wisconsin and earned a master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Wisconsin—Milwaukee. She retired from the Montgomery County, Maryland public schools, where she delighted in helping children with their communication skills.