Obituaries

Jon G. Heitz, 79, passed away on January 1, 2024 at the Watertown Regional Hospital. He was born on July 8, 1944 in Madison, WI, the son of Gilbert J. and Virginia E. Heitz and lived in Lake Mills, WI where he graduated high school before attending and graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a teaching degree. Jon taught Social Studies at the Middle School level in the Whitewater school system for 39 years and retired in 2006. Jon loved teaching. In addition to teaching the standard curriculum, he taught his students practical lessons in understanding the impact of advertising on purchasing, the evaluation of product durability and reliability and fiscally responsible shopping. Jon wholeheartedly believed that knowledge is power, and students are capable of learning and understanding more than they believe is possible.

For over twenty years, Jon organized and ran the Little Giant League baseball program in Lake Mills for players aged 8-13, while also coaching many teams to championships. He started the Lake Mills Babe Ruth team for players aged 13-15 and had many successful years and season championships. Throughout his 20 years of coaching, Jon taught his players the importance of strategy, hard work, patience, respect, teamwork, and fun, often saying, “baseball is life.” The city of Lake Mills honored Jon for his years of dedication to the youth of Lake Mills by proclamation officially declaring June 17, 1989 as Jon Heitz Day.

Jon was a loving husband to his sweet and loving wife, Kathleen Willms (Kathi), a wonderful stepfather to Megan and “papa Jon” to Makinley, an amazing brother and role model to his siblings, and a loving brother-in-law, uncle, and great uncle to his family and extended family. Jon was witty, kind, and generous. For more than 30 years Jon hosted legendary Christmas celebrations at his home, with an extensive gourmet spread and a mountain of gifts. Jon had an incredible sense of humor, and many of his gifts reflected his sense of humor, resulting in raucous laughter when each gift was unwrapped. Jon lived what he taught: never stop learning; knowledge is power; life is what you make it; remember to have fun while tackling the challenges of life; and love others with wild abandon. Rest in peace Jon, we love you and will miss you!

Jon was preceded in death by his parents Gilbert and Virginia Heitz, his brother Jay Heitz, stepson Joseph Kellner and his sister Jean Heitz-Johnson. Survivors include his wife Kathleen A. Willms, her daughter Megan (TJ) Gile, their daughter Makinley, his brother Jac (Ruth) Heitz, niece Meghan Johnson and her daughter Neah, nephew Nicholas (Morgan) Johnson, their daughter Sloane and son Cohen. Jon is also survived by his extended family members (sister and nieces-in-law), Ernestine, Christin, and Sierra Braswell.

A visitation will be held on Friday, January 19th from 11:00-12:30 with a service immediately following at the Schneider-Michaelis Funeral Home, 900 West Racine Street, Jefferson, Wisconsin.

All of Jon & Kathi’s friends and family are invited to stop by and pay their respects. In lieu of flowers or other expressions of sympathy, donations can be made to the Humane Society of Jefferson County. Online condolences may be made at www.schneidermichaelisfuneralhome.com

Sophie Castelvecchi, 88, Whitewater, passed away in her home Tuesday, January 9th, 2024.

Sophie was born on June 11th, 1935 in Chicago, Illinois to Samuel and Constance Plattis. She enjoyed spending time with her family, gardening and watching the Bears and the Bucks.

She is survived by her daughter Geralyn (Mike) Stewart, son Thomas Castelvecchi, sister Loretta Castelvecchi, grandchildren Dana Traynere, Austin (Dulce) Castelvecchi, Joelle Traynere, Jeff (Erika) Stewart, Robert (Katie) Stewart and great-grandchildren Henleigh and Teagan Stewart.

She is preceded in death by her husband Pasquale Castelvecchi, her parents and other siblings.

Thank you to Rainbow Community Care, Supportive Care Management for their support
through the last years of her life.

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

Antoinette G. Czebotar, 75, of Whitewater, died on Thursday, December 14, 2023 at Alden Estates of Jefferson.

Antoinette was born on January 14, 1948 in Fort Atkinson, daughter of the late Nelson and Constance (Kupstas) Hake. She married William Czebotar on February 9, 1974 in Fort Atkinson. He preceded her in death on August 3, 1980.

Antoinette is survived by her brother, Richard Hake of Whitewater and her nephew, Brent Heffron of Fort Atkinson. She was also preceded in death by her sister, Margaret Heffron and her niece / adopted daughter, Christine Hake.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, January 15, 2024 at the Dunlap Memorial Home in Fort Atkinson. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. at the memorial home until the time of service. Burial will take place at a later date in Lakeview Cemetery.
www.DunlapMemorialHome.com

Paul F. Kulinski, 86, of Genesee Depot and previously of Crandon, WI passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 2, 2024.

Paul was born on January 11, 1937 in Green Bay, WI. He grew up in the Whitewater area and was a 1956 graduate of Whitewater High School. Paul had a few different jobs during his life; he spent the majority of his working career as a sales representative in the manufacturing industry retiring in 2003. He lived in the Whitewater area for most of his life and upon retirement moved to Crandon to enjoy the peace and beauty of Northern Wisconsin. Paul was blessed with four children, Lynette, Kathy, Ken and David. He was a loving dad and happiest spending time with his kids and grandkids. He had an outgoing personality and loved to laugh and joke. He enjoyed line dancing and being out on the lake and golf course with his kids. Paul was a good man and he will be sincerely missed by those he leaves behind.

He is survived by: his children, Lynette Petitte of Avalon, WI, Kathy (Steve) Peardon of Genesee Depot, WI, Ken (Carrie) Kulinski of Janesville, WI, and David Kulinski of Pewaukee, WI; his grandchildren, Jessica (Dave) Hefty of Janesville, WI, Daniel (Liz) Petitte of Pleasant Prairie, WI, Jon Peardon of Oconomowoc, WI, Megan Kulinski of Stoughton, WI, TJ Kulinski of Janesville, WI, and Kassandra Kulinski of Palmyra, WI; his great-grandchildren, Nathan, Gracen, Fletcher, Olivia, Owen and Ember; and his sister, Ginny Craven of Oak Creek, WI. He is also survived by a number of other relatives and friends.

A private family service will be held at a later date.

Gibson Family Funeral Homes of Eagle and Palmyra, WI is serving the family. To place an online condolence please visit gibsonfuneral.com

Jerry Coxe, 86, died unexpectedly on December 22, 2023.

Born September 11, 1937, in Whitewater, Wisconsin to Kathryn Lucille and James Chester Coxe II.

He graduated from Whitewater High School Class of 1955.

Following graduation, he met the love of his life Carol Krebs. They married September 8, 1956. Together they welcomed into this world their three beloved children, Gerald “Fritz,” Donna and Jim.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Carol of 67 years; his children, Fritz (Kathie) Coxe, Donna Coxe, and Jim (Kelly) Coxe; 8 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

Jerry loved farming and created a life farming with his wife Carol and son Fritz. He enjoyed watching sports especially watching his beloved Green Bay Packers.

He also enjoyed talking anything farm any chance he could and going for his daily lunch runs into town with Fritz. McDonald’s, Burger King and Culver’s all knew the two old hippies.

Jerry was always there to help anyone who needed a helping hand.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Kathryn and Jim Coxe II, his sisters, Mary, Patti, Carol Kim and his granddaughter, Tiffany.

At the request of the family private services were held. 

Dr. Frank V. Beran, age 89 of Fort Atkinson, WI, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 22, 2023 at St. Mary’s Hospital, Madison, WI. with his wife, Stephanie at his side.  Frank left us on the darkest day, (Winter solstice), going toward the light.

Frank was born on May 23, 1934 in Garden City, Iowa.  The son of Frank, Sr. and Gertie (Simonsen) Beran.  He graduated from Radcliffe High School, Radcliffe, Iowa the Class of 1952. He attended the University of Iowa graduating in 1958 with a B. A. degree.   He attended Medical School at University of Iowa graduating in 1960.  After graduation, Frank did an Internship at San Bernardino Charity Hospital in California.  Frank spent two years in Public Health serving his country on an Indian Reservation in Winnebago, Nebraska.  After the service he started his Surgical Residency at Madison General Hospital.  He then joined the medical practice of Dr. James Russell and Dr. Henry Aufderhaar in Fort Atkinson, WI.

On April 19, 1975, he married Stephanie (Welter) Beran at Trinity Lutheran Church.  They were married 48+ years.

Frank was a beloved physician serving the Fort Atkinson community for over 50 years, retiring in 2009.  He truly enjoyed being a doctor.  In retirement Frank enjoyed playing cribbage, euchre, putting jigsaw puzzles together, playing golf, and croquet, although you better pay attention to the rules (well Frank’s rules) because they always changed with each game.  Frank also started painting, taking classes from Tom Jewell.  Inasmuch as all of this gave him pleasure the greater joy was talking on the phone with Greg, lunch with Paul or coffee with Cindy.  He was a teacher whether teaching his grandchildren how to play cribbage, croquet, golf or how to be the engineer or conductor on Grandpa’s train set. Frank also shared medical skills with his nurses, Kelly, Ingrid and Jenice. 

Spring was his favorite time of the year when the earth started to wake up.  His gardens were adorned with beautiful flowers.

He was a faithful member of Trinity Lutheran Church.  He was a member of the Fort Atkinson Lions Club and served as Chief of the Medical Staff at Fort Atkinson Memorial Hospital 1974-1976.

Surviving to cherish Frank’s memory are his children, Daughter, Cindy (Brandon) Pietruszynski, Stoughton, WI.  Sons, Greg (Patricia), Denver, Colorado, and Paul (Patty) Whitewater, WI.  Grandchildren:  Jeffrey Beran, Nicolas and Sofia Beran, Oliver, Samuel and Milo Pietruszynski.  Nieces Paula Bruce, Nevada, Iowa and Pam Brinton, Rogers, Arkansas, many cousins, family, and friends, especially his friend, neighbor and golf partner, E.G. Becker.

He was preceded in death by his parents Frank, Sr. and Gertie Beran, brother and sister-in-law, Virgil and Erma Beran.  His in-laws Stephen and Florence Welter.

Funeral service will be on Friday, January 5th, 2024 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Fort Atkinson. Visitation at 9 a.m. with service at 11 a.m.  Pastor Amy Waelchli presiding.  Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Salvation Army or Trinity Lutheran Church.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the Med-flight Crew, Dr. Singer, Dr. Megan and MICU nurses especially Amanda, Nicole and Rachel for the exceptional care and kindness they showed to Frank and his family.

 Dunlap Memorial Home assisting the family.

www.DunlapMemorialHome.com

A quote from former President Jimmy Carter: “The only things that we can truly give to each other are the only things that we truly need—an ear to listen, a heart to care, a word of encouragement and a hand to help.”   This is how Frank lived.

October 20, 1936 – December 20, 2023 Whitewater, WI – Brian Kevin Beck (James Peter Beck) passed away on December 20, 2023 after a brief stay at Rainbow Hospice. He was born October 20th, 1936 in Appleton, Wisconsin to Warren and Carmen (Haberman) Beck. His childhood years were spent in Appleton and Ripton, Vermont (1948-1954 Bread Loaf Campus) where his father was an English professor while writing numerous books. He graduated from Lawrence University in Appleton with a B. A. after serving in the Army from 1959-1963. He earned his Masters from Columbia University and his Ph. D from University of Wisconsin. He was an English Professor at UW- Whitewater from 1966 till he retired in 1994 and continued to be involved with UW – Whitewater activities throughout his life. He sought to make better students by aiding their communication and helping them to think on their own. “For me, “true education= not What to “know-believe-do,” but HOW to think things through. An overlooked paradigm; an invisible elephant in the room.”

Brian owned 3 different sail boats and spent several summers sailing the Great Lakes and writing articles for sailing magazines (Canadian Yachting, Outdoors, Sail, etc….). In addition to the 150+ published articles, he self-published 7 books, and wrote many “how-to-do-it” articles for teachers and others as well as poetry, humor, cartoons, and satires. Brian’s work and his everyday life reflected his unique personality and sense of humor. Chester, his Potato-head character is well known and can be seen in local places as well as places he traveled. “Travel not for pleasure, but for significance.” EUROPE: France, England, Germany, Spain, Italy. AFRICA: Egypt, Morocco. SOUTH AMERICA: Brazil-Paraguay-Chile-Bolivia-Peru-Ecuador. ASIA: India; Thailand; Burma; Indonesia; Philippines; China; Japan. He thoroughly enjoyed photography and has many slides from his travels. The natural world was also a love of his and he could be seen biking throughout the area while collecting vegetation for his visual art projects. He created numerous creative displays while living at Fairhaven. Brian stated the four greatest experiences in his life: My “work,” so-called work but really an Everest adventure of the intellect I was blessed to be called to pursue; My friendship with Robert Flegl; The psychotherapeutic odyssey with J. Hadley M.D. “soul-mother”; Travel: on sea, on land- and by velo: “the bicycle wheel as the stylus hearing the music of the 33-rpm record of the path-trail-road.”

He donated his body to the Medical College of Wisconsin…the research continues. Brian is survived by his cousins, Susan Church Pitzner and children, Barb, Cyndi and David and cousin Bobby Haberman and son Jeff from Jefferson, and friends in many places. He was preceded in departure by his friend Amy K. Peterson in 1984 and Robert Flegl in 2003. A Memorial Service will be held at Fairhaven on Thursday, January 4th at 1:00 p.m., with a small reception to follow.

Douglas Eugene Zimmerman, 77, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Monday, December 25, 2023.

Douglas was born on February 5, 1946 to Marvin and Thelma (Groom) Zimmerman. Douglas attended school in Fort Atkinson.

On October 27, 1962 Douglas married Connie Krieser in Dubuque, Iowa.

Douglas worked for the Jefferson County Highway Department as a Truck Driver for 36 years up until his retirement in 2004. Following his retirement Douglas worked part time for Simonson Oil in Fort Atkinson.

Douglas enjoyed many things in life, he enjoyed showing horses, helping his children with their steer and horse projects for the upcoming fairs, playing the accordion and playing the chord organ. Douglas was a big family man and was always so proud of his family.

Douglas is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Connie Zimmerman; Children: Deanna (Dennis) Karbowski of Elkhorn, WI, and Leslie “Butch” (Bev) Zimmerman of Fort Atkinson, WI; Grandchildren: Douglas (Alyssa) Zimmerman of Fort Atkinson, WI, Brooke (Fiancé Ryan Tews) Zimmerman of Fort Atkinson, WI, and Curtis “CJ” (Fiancé Kayla Pallansch) Zimmerman of Janesville, WI; Great-grandchildren: Roman Zimmerman, Reese Zimmerman, Bennett Zimmerman, Daxton Zimmerman, and Tenlei Tews. Sisters: Sandra Friedl, and Joyce (Walter) Carroll. Sister-In-Laws, Mavis Daugherty, Kay Daugherty, and Virginia Daugherty.

Douglas was preceded in death by his parents, Marvin and Thelma; Infant sister, Myrna; Son, Brad Zimmerman; Brothers Dennis (Ellie) Daugherty, Vince (Deanna) Daugherty, and Reginald Daughtery.

Funeral Services will be held on Friday, December 29, 2023 at 12:30 p.m. at the Nitardy Funeral Home at 1008 Madison Ave., Fort Atkinson with Pastor Steve Steele officiating. Friends may come visit with family from 11:30 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday at the funeral home. A burial will follow the services at the Evergreen Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorials can be made out to St. John’s Lutheran Church in Cold Spring, and Rainbow Hospice.

A special Thank You to the staff at Rainbow Hospice and Alden Estates for your amazing care towards Douglas.

James (Jim) D. Allen passed peacefully at his home on Saturday, December 23, 2023. He was born on Oct 10, 1960, to Richard Allen and Nancy (Anderson) Des Jardin in Fort Atkinson, WI.  He loved to travel abroad and to the big cities of the US.  London called his name numerous times as he loved the culture, architecture, fashion and wine.  Jim meant more to his family than he will ever know.

He was a WHS Class of ‘79 graduate and attended the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

Friends and family alike will remember Jim for his humor, vibrant personality and willingness to serve his community. If you were given a nickname by Jim, you truly made his list of special people.

Living in Whitewater his entire life, he became Whitewater’s biggest advocate, cheerleader, front-runner.  He served on the Whitewater Common Council for 15 years and was once again serving as the president. His dedication to the city and his recent fight to restore the two Whitewater lakes to their once usable state, was his newest passion.  His dedication to the City and the committees he was part of include Community Development Authority Board, Birge Fountain restoration, Plan & Architectural Review Commission and the recently formed Whitewater Lakes Advisory Committee (LAC).  Beyond the committees, Jim worked tirelessly trying to convince a grocery store that Whitewater would be a good fit and often emceed the 4^th of July Parade.  There were so many issues over the years to which he selflessly gave his time and dedication.  The ‘yeas and nays’ he made were well thought out and researched in detail, prior to his vote for the betterment of the community he dutifully served. 

Jim worked at Randy’s Supper Club / Randy’s Funhunter’s Brewery where he loved his ‘regulars,’ the staff, wedding guests and meeting new customers.

Later, he worked for Catering & Food Services at UW-Whitewater, connecting with and mentoring staff whom he loved like family.  Many of his co-workers became lifelong friends.

After retirement, Jim drove school bus for the Head Start Program with Nelson Bus Company-  the littles also became a big part of Jim’s heart.  He enjoyed making sure they had a smile each day along with a happy, safe ride.

He anonymously would leave presents on doorsteps for families that needed a little help during the Holidays.  While being private about his own life, he had compassion and empathy for others and called on many just to check on them.

James is preceded in death by his brother, Steven Allen (1981), his father Richard Allen (2011), his stepfather Ken Des Jardin (2020), along with many special friends and family.

He is survived by his mother Nancy Des Jardin (East Troy), sister Kim (Bruce) Pontel (Harshaw), stepmother Gloria Allen (Delavan), nieces Danielle (Jeremy) Stowers, Kellie Pontel (Whitewater), five nieces, two nephews, loyal friends and extended family members.              `.

Thank you to the WW Police Department & Walworth County Sheriff’s Department for quickly responding to the family’s call.

Per his wishes, there will be no formal service, but family and friends may call during visitation hours on Friday, December 29, from 4-6 p.m. at Nitardy Funeral Home in Whitewater.

Jim will be laid to rest at Hillside Cemetery next to his brother Steven, during a private ceremony.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:  The American Heart Association, the City of Whitewater Lakes Advisory Committee (LAC), a local pet rescue or Humane Society.