Life Events

Benjamin Haoxiang Liang, always called Benny, beloved son, brother, and grandson unexpectedly passed away on July 20.

Benny, a member of Delta Tau Delta, graduated from Wabash College with a Biology major and Philosophy minor in May of 2020. Benny was set to pursue a master’s degree in Human Performance at the University of Indiana. During his High School years, Benny won a Wisconsin State title twice. However, he had to give up swimming at Wabash because of a developing heart condition. Benny never stopped his love for swimming; he moved on to coach swimmers and inspired people around him. He had been a head coach at the Woodland Country Club, and an assistant coach at Carmel Swim Club. He had previously coached at the Sugar Creek Swim Club, Indiana University, and Wabash College.

Benny loved his family and enjoyed reading, writing, singing, playing guitar, and hanging out with friends. He liked sports, running, cross-country, soccer, and snowboarding. He enjoyed nature, and loved animals and plants. He never stopped enjoying life, smiling, laughing, listening, talking, and always kept on thinking. He had been a college writer for Swimming World Magazine.

He was always thinking forward, set high standards for himself, and never stopped pursuing his dreams.

Benny will be missed by his family, friends, swimmers, classmates, teammates, and more.

A gofundme page has been established. All proceeds will be donated to the American Heart Association in his name.

LaVonne “Bonnie” Eileen Coleman, 81, of Whitewater passed away on Monday, August 3, 2020 at Rainbow Hospice Inpatient Center in Johnson Creek.

Bonnie was born on January 31, 1939 in LaCrosse to Arthur and Evelyn (Olson) Mehren. She received her education at Antigo High School in Antigo, Wisconsin, and then attended college in LaCrosse and graduated with a bachelor’s degree. She put that degree to use when she became a medical technologist for Fort Atkinson Memorial Hospital where she was also head of the blood bank.

Bonnie absolutely loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. She never missed a ball game, concert, fair, graduation, or birthday. Pizza night was always a favorite for her and her entire family. Gardening, canning, making maple syrup, and baking were a few of her many skills. She also enjoyed knitting and made Christmas stockings for many people during the holidays. She and her sister loved to travel and sightsee around the world; during their journeys Bonnie walked the Great Wall of China, explored the fjords in Norway, and brought back sand from the Nile River for her grandchildren. She had a great sense of humor which was inherited by her descendants and her lust for life will forever be remembered by all who knew her.

She is survived by her sister, Geraldine Mehren; her five children: Michael P. Coleman (Kris) of Marshfield, WI, Nora C. Kyle (Howard), Martha J. Beecroft (Brandon), and Arthur M. Coleman (Sarah) of Whitewater, WI, James A. Coleman; and her eight grandchildren: Abigail Coleman, Rachel Kyle, Joshua Kyle, Haydon (Samantha) Beecroft, Jocelin Beecroft, Noah Coleman, Grace Coleman, and Anna Coleman.

Bonnie was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Evelyn Mehren.

A private service will be held for immediate family with a celebration of life to follow at a later date.

The family would like to extend special thanks to the nursing staff and social workers at Rainbow Hospice for the exceptional care and kindness they showed to Bonnie.

The Nitardy Funeral Home of Whitewater is assisting the family.

Online condolences may be given to the family at www.nitardyfuneralhome.com.

Route, Jerry S, Age 87, of Whitewater, died on Monday, August 3, 2020, his 87^th birthday, at Fairhaven in Whitewater. He was born on August 3, 1933, in Amery, Wisconsin, the youngest of 11 children of Fred and Inga Route. He married Audrey Ausen on September, 5, 1953, in Star Prairie, Wisconsin. He graduated from UW-River Falls in 1954 with a B.S. Degree in teaching and lettering in football and baseball 4 years, followed by a Master’s Degree from UW-Madison and taught for many years in Whitewater, Wisconsin. He was a member of the First English Lutheran Church in Whitewater, delivered Meals on Wheels and was a member of the Whitewater Jaycees and Kiwanis Club. He was an avid golfer and softball player and a member and past-President of the UW-Warhawk’s W Club. Jerry and Audrey enjoyed traveling the country, annually taking their family to Gulf Shores, AL, to the cabin “up north,” watching sports events and playing daily matches of cribbage and other games. He is survived by his children, Cindy Route, Thomas (Jane) Route of Hubertus and Jill (Bill) Gruetzmacher of Grafton; grandchildren, Marc Peterson, Scot Peterson and Christopher Route; great – grandchildren, KC, Noah, Mia, Monroe and Caleb; other relatives and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife and one grandson, Michael Route and several siblings. On behalf of Jerry, his children would like to thank the staff at Jessica’s restaurant for their kindness and great breakfasts over several years. They would also like to thank all staff members at Hearthstone and Fairhaven for the loving attention they provided his last few years. He enjoyed playing cards with Sarah, taking bike rides with Stephanie, attending chapel and singing with Luke and bantering with all his caregivers. They are eternally grateful for the outstanding care, emotional support and comfort shown not only to Jerry but to the family members as well. A graveside service will be held on Thursday, August 6, 2020 at 1:30 p.m. at the Richmond Cemetery, Highway 89, south of Whitewater. As an expression of sympathy you may wish to consider memorials to Fairhaven Senior Living.

Nitardy Funeral Home, Whitewater is assisting the family.

Suzan Wade, 71, of Whitewater passed away on Sunday, August 2, 2020.

The full obituary will appear at a later time.

Nitardy Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Online condolences can be made at www.nitardyfuneralhome.com

Wanda G. Richards, 85, of Whitewater, Wis., passed away on Friday, July 31, 2020, at the Rainbow Hospice Center, Johnson Creek, Wis. Wanda was born on April 8, 1935, in Altoona, Pa., to Eldon and Marguerite (Brokaw) Gearhart. Wanda married James H. Richards in Nappanee, Ind., on August 31, 1956.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by three children, Elizabeth (Ernest) Stetenfeld, Laura (John) Vitale, and David (Carrie) Richards; eight grandchildren, Daniel Stetenfeld, Maria (Allen) Vitale-Echon, Rebecca Vitale, Rachel Stetenfeld, Helen Richards, Grace Richards, Amelia Richards, and Charlotte Richards; one great-grandchild, Oliver Echon; and two sisters, Marguerite (Charles) Kraft, and Virginia (Norman) Yost. Wanda was preceded in death by her parents and her adoptive father, J. Milton Bowman; one sister, Rosena (James) Sawyer; and one brother, Willard Gearhart.

Wanda received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Omaha and her master’s in counseling and guidance from Ball State University. Wanda spent more than 35 years in the field of education, from elementary school teacher to various district-level administrative roles. She retired as the director of curriculum/instruction for the De Pere School District. Wanda enjoyed gardening, traveling, and painting. Most of all, she loved spending time with her family. She was a member of First United Methodist Church, Whitewater. A private burial will take place at the Roselawn Memory Gardens, Lake Geneva, Wis.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the American Cancer Society and/or Rainbow Hospice Care, Jefferson, Wis.

And we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28

Barbara Ellen Walenton, age 77, of Whitewater, Wisconsin passed away unexpectedly at home on the family farm on Tuesday, July 28, 2020 surrounded by her loving family.

Barbara was born in Whitewater on December 30, 1942 to Donald and Eleanor (Rutoski) Vail. She received her education at Whitewater High School and was a member of the Girls Scouts and Rainbow Girls. On January 2, 1960, Barbara married Robert E. Walenton at the First United Methodist Church in Whitewater, recently celebrating their 60^th anniversary.

Barbara was a homemaker at heart and enjoyed spending time with family and friends on the Farm. As a young woman, she worked as a CNA and medical records technician. Her need to be a stay-at-home mom inspired her to become a business woman so she became an Avon representative. Her love of children inspired her to open her own licensed daycare provider. To this day, those daycare children have grown to become family.

Family was her foundation, but her passion was always horses, a passion she shared with her husband. Bob and Barb raised quarterhorses on the Farm and, for many years, along with their six children and other family and friends, they hosted hundreds of riders and barrel racers at the Walenton Speed Shows on the Farm, also known as the “Rockin ‘B’ Ranch.” Inevitably, the shows outgrew the Farm, so they took the shows on the road. For over a decade Bob, Barb and crew held the Walenton Speed Shows at the Walworth County Fair in Elkhorn. It was only natural that was an active member of the Boots and Saddle Club of Walworth County and the Kettle Moraine Saddle Club.

Barb enjoyed cooking, gardening, bird watching, reading, doing puzzles and gambling. You will often find family and friends gathered at the Farm for game nights, cookouts and bonfires. She loved playing cards and learning new games. Barb loved to dance and go to concerts, especially if the music was country music. Her love of traveling often took them “Up North,” and it seemed that every year, you would find her “on the road again” to faraway places like Arizona, Colorado, Minnesota, Michigan, Tennessee, Kentucky, North Carolina and Virginia. Her favorites were Nashville, Dollywood, Loretta Lynn’s Farm and the occasional casino in between.

Barbara is survived by her husband Bob, three beloved sons: John E. Walenton of Whitewater, Donald J. (Cindy) Walenton of Smiths Grove, KY, and Robert D. Walenton of Rhinelander; three beloved daughters: Susan R. (Brent) Nelson of Janesville, Michelle M. (Chris) Haferman of Whitewater and Carrie E. (Scott) St. Clair of Whitewater; grandchildren: Jennifer (Quinn) Walenton, Samantha Bluhm, Catherine Nelson, Melissa Walenton, Nicholas Haferman, David Nelson, Cheyenne St. Clair, Canyon St. Clair, Jodi Harris, Jozie Reed, Jamie Reed, Nicki Olds, Emily Olds, and Chad Olds; great-grandchildren: Angelita Walenton-Garnica, Kiana Walenton-Garnica, Jay Schwartz, Braxton West-Olds and Ophelia Diaz; sisters: Karen (Bob) Fadness of Colorado, Bonnie (Tom) Miller of Whitewater, and Nancy (Perry) Kairis of North Carolina; brother-in-law: Raymond (Jan) Walenton of Whitewater; sister‑in‑law Avril Walenton of Menominee Falls, WI; nieces: Debora Austin (and her son Elijah) of Friendship, WI, Amy Austin of Milwaukee, WI, Amanda (Daniel) Travis of Walkertown, NC, Ashley Kairis of Cary, NC, Lisa Burk of Longmont, Colorado, Geila Frevele of Menominee Falls, Lori Lang of Menominee Falls and Robin Walenton; nephews: Andy Fadness of St. Croix Falls, WI, Rodney Walenton and Ronald Walenton, both of Whitewater; and many great-nieces and great-nephews.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents Donald and Eleanor Vail.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Farm at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, Barb’s family would like to suggest a donation to the Muscular Dystrophy Association or to the family at: Walentons, P.O. Box 818, East Troy, WI 53120-0818.

The family would like to give a special thank you to the Whitewater Rescue Squad, the Rock County Sheriff’s Department, and the Mercy Hospital Paramedics for their assistance and compassion.

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