Life Events

Obituary: Rev. John M. Lyford

Rev. John M. Lyford of Whitewater entered the church triumphant on July 28, 2021.

John was born June 11, 1926, in West Allis, Wis. After his high school graduation, he entered the U.S. Army and served in the Pacific during World War II. Following the war, John attended the Milwaukee Business Institute and worked in industry for five years. He married Jean Ann Keller, also of West Allis, on Sept. 20, 1952. John felt called to the ministry, and after graduating from Monmouth College in Illinois, and Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in Pennsylvania, John was ordained a minister in the Presbyterian Church USA in June 1960. John served churches in Taylorstown, Pa., Brookfield, Ill., and Oconto, Wis.

John is survived by his wife Jean Keller Lyford, daughter Susan Lyford Woods (Jeff Woods), of Fort Atkinson, son Tim Lyford of Green Bay, granddaughter Jennifer Woods (Joe Zweep) and great grandson Rowan Woods Zweep of Fort Atkinson, and grandson Michael Woods (Laura) of Englewood, Colo.

Services will be at a later date at Fairhaven Retirement Community, where they have resided for the past 17 years.

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

Obituario: Virginia Lou Sanchez


Virginia Lou Sanchez nacio en Marzo 15 de 1949 en Denver Colorado. Sus Padres, Lorenzo Sanchez y Maria Transito Sanchez. 

Virginia fue una mujer tranquila, seria y reservada. Tuvo cuatro hijos: Miguel Angel, Juana Adriana, Antonio  Eduardo, y Veronica. Con 8 nietos y seis visnietos con los cuales convivio con todos y fue muy querida por todos . Ella conocio lugares las cuales nunca imagino. 

Aqui con su familia presente te desean que descanse en Paz. Y Dios te tenga en su Santa Gloria.

Una misa de entierro cristiano tendrá lugar a las 11:30 a.m. el viernes 30 de julio de 2021 en la Iglesia Católica St. Patrick en Whitewater. Una vigilia se llevará a cabo a partir de las 9:30 a.m. hasta la hora de la misa. Un entierro tendrá lugar otro día.

Nitardy Funeral Home está ayudando a la familia con los arreglos. Puede dar el pésame en línea en www.nitardyfuneralhome.com

Robert “Bob” Millard Markham passed away on July 19, 2020 (UPDATED with arrangements )


(UPDATE – July 29) – A Celebration of Life Service will be held for Robert Markham at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Whitewater, WI at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 1, 2021.  No flowers please.

For all the truckers, there will be a procession of semi trucks from the church to the Farm. No trailers please.
Following that, an informal, outside gathering of friends and family will take place at Dave Triebold’s Farm at N7618 Engel Rd. in Whitewater.  Food will be catered by Annie’s.

Robert Millard Markham

October 7, 1928 – July 19, 2020
Robert “Bob” Millard Markham of Pharr, TX passed away on Sunday, July 19, 2020 at the age of 91. Bob died peacefully with his beloved wife Shirley by his side. Bob was born in Eagle,WI on October 7, 1928, to Millard Brown Jr. and Mary Anna (Braun) Markham. The oldest of 14 children, he graduated from Whitewater High School in three years. He was drafted by the Army at age 22 and stationed in Germany from 1950 -1952. He married Shirley Mae Kau on October 2, 1954. In 1957, he started Markham Trucking Service. He continued operating this business until he retired in 1991. After retiring, Bob and Shirley traveled across the country in their custom RV for over 20 years, finally settling in Pharr, TX where they enjoyed square dancing.


Bob was preceded in death by his parents; and his brothers: Kenneth, Donald, and Gordon; as well as his sisters, Rose Jones and Elizabeth Fetting. He is survived by his wife Shirley Mae Markham; children: Carol Tiffany, Jeff (Kathleen) Markham, Holly Hoff, Brad (Diane) Markham and Russell Markham; grandchildren: Tiffany (Brad) Gretschmann, Alicia Markham, Emily Markham, Andi Markham, Josephine (Wyatt) Bennett and Jeremiah (Jess) Markham; great-grandchildren, Eli and MacKenzie Gretschmann; and siblings: Duane (Lorraine) Markham, Gerald Markham, JoAnne Flahive, Glen (Rose) Markham, Roger (Carol) Markham, David (Mary Ellen) Markham, Phillip (Barbara) Markham, and Kathleen (Richard) Brinkhaus.


A celebration of life service will be held in the coming year.

Obituary: Charles “Skip” Brady Jr., 67, of Oconomowoc

Charles “Skip” Brady Jr., 67, of Oconomowoc passed away on July 21st, 2021 at his home. 

Charles was born on December 11th, 1953 in Philadelphia to Charles and Helen (Peterson) Brady. He spent his early years in Philadelphia, and then Detroit, before moving to Whitewater in 1961 and eventually Oconomowoc. He graduated from Whitewater High School in 1972. He started a job at Home Lumber in Whitewater; he became a skilled woodworker and craftsman, eventually starting his own cabinet making business in Genessee Depot. He also worked at Country Craftsman in North Prairie for 35 years. He was well known in the Milwaukee area for his outstanding talent in creating wooden spiral staircases. 

Aside from his passion for woodworking, he was an avid reader and shade tree mechanic. He adored his grandchildren and loved to spend time with them and his family. He was a powerful soul that left his imprint on the world and will be remembered dearly by all that knew him.

Charles is survived by his mother, Helen Brady; his children, Ryan (Amanda) Brady and Megan (Jason) Stahnke; his grandchildren, Liam Brady, Miles Brady, Josslyn Stahnke, and Colton Stahnke; his siblings, Timothy (Cheryl) Brady, Rebecca (David) Legler, Elizabeth Brady, Paul Brady, and Michael (Kristin) Brady; and many other nieces, nephews, and friends.

He is preceded in death by his father, Charles Brady Sr.

A memorial visitation will be held on Thursday, August 26th from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Nitardy Funeral Home in Whitewater with a memorial service to follow at 6.

“Selflessness. Humility. Truthfulness. These are the three marks of an honorable man.”

–Suzy Kassem

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

Obituary: Blanche Libby Grum, 94

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.

Obituary: Nancy Carroll Paynter McCord Morrow, 86

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 6th, 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 20th 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.

Obituary: Ronald J. Rein, 76, of Fort Atkinson

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,)

65th Wedding Anniversary: Kay Hulsether Buhrow and Gerald (Jerry) Buhrow (Updated: address correction)

Kay Hulsether Buhrow and Gerald (Jerry) Buhrow are celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary. They were married on July 14, 1956 at Bethel Lutheran Church in Madison. They met while they were students at Platteville State Teachers College at a school dance where they could “Swing and Sway with Sammy Kay.” Jerry served a stint in the Army after college and when he was released, they began their married life together in Madison, Wisconsin. Kay taught at Lowell Elementary School and Jerry was in graduate school.  After Madison, they moved and taught in several places in Wisconsin:  Pulaski, Milton, Hartford, and finally Whitewater, where Jerry became Director of Financial Aid at UW-Whitewater in 1966, retiring in 1992. Kay spent the majority of her career as a 4th grade teacher at Lincoln Elementary School, retiring in 1994.

Jerry and Kay share a love of golf, and spent many summers at Lake Arrowhead in Nekoosa, Wisconsin, living and golfing on the Pines course. They have a friendly competition with holes-in-one.  Currently Kay is ahead on the leaderboard with 5 holes in one, and Jerry with 3. The competition continues as they both still enjoy golf in The Villages, Florida, where they currently reside.

In Whitewater they made lifelong friends, and enjoyed camping, vacationing, playing softball, and attending many sporting events with them.  In The Villages, Florida, they maintain many of their Whitewater friendships and continue to golf with them regularly.

Jerry and Kay have 4 children: Steven, Laurie (Gary) Bauer, Brad, Brian, two grandchildren, Anneliese (Richie) Wilhelm, and Kurt (Nyruck Syphommarath).

They are spending their 65th anniversary travelling to Wisconsin to visit friends and family around the state. Should readers wish to send a greeting, their mailing address is 2429 Muirwood PL.,The Villages, FL 32162. (Note that the zip code has been corrected.)