Obituaries

Dr. Richard Francis James, 78, passed August 18 at Glenwood.  He was born August 2, 1944, to Dr. Carl and Frances James in Eureka, Kansas.  He had an idyllic childhood building race cars and hunting on the James farm and in Western Kansas.  He was president of his 1962 high school senior class, and he presided over class reunions through 2017.  He enrolled at Emporia State University and was president of the Sig Taus.  In June of 1966, he enlisted in the Air Force.  He was promoted to sergeant and named munitions and maintenance man of the month.  His tour included Vietnam, Korea, and Japan where he built and loaded bombs.  After his discharge, he completed his bachelor’s degree.  He was then hired by the newly opened Shawnee Mission NW High School in Kansas City, Kansas.  In 1974, Kansas named him Outstanding Young Educator.  After earning his master’s degree, he resigned his position at Shawnee Mission but continued to attend reunions of the original faculty.  He then began his doctoral program at Northern Illinois University where he met Marcia when she joined the program in 1976.  He received the Lyle Maxwell Award while at Northern.  After marrying Marcia, he accepted a tenure-track position at UW-Whitewater.  He received the college and university service awards for his prairie reconstruction efforts.  He and Marcia received the Vocational Instructional Materials Award at a national convention after they authored Microcomputer Applications in Business.  He also received the Freedoms Foundation’s Leavey Award for his two-day Mini Business World experience where business people, teachers, and students would work together to create a business.  The Wisconsin Business Education Association recognized him as their Outstanding Postsecondary Educator in 2002.  Finally, Rich helped bring the Programs of Excellence Award to UW-Whitewater three times!  He sang in First English Lutheran Church choir and played baritone in Fort Atkinson’s Community Band for 25 years.  He played golf and made wine with many friends.  He and Marcia traveled extensively. He participated in two Badger Honor Flights.  He is the original owner of a 1964 Corvette, which was driven in the Whitewater Fourth of July parade from 1979-2019.  He continued to hunt, oversee his Kansas farmland while being dad to Griffin (Katie) and Logan and grandad to Canon and Reed.  He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, and six Brittany spaniels.  He is also survived by his sister and many nieces, nephews, and former students.  Marcia and sons would like to thank the staff at Glenwood, Agrace Hospice, Dee Simon, fellow golfers and Pastor Wendt, who faithfully visited. 

The service will be held at First English Lutheran Church on Saturday, August 27, at 11 a.m. The family will be available at 10 a.m. Also, a luncheon will follow at Willow Brook Golf Course. Please send any contributions to the Dr. Richard F. James Marketing Education Scholarship, UW-Foundation, 810 W. Main Street, Whitewater. Nitardy Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Thomas “Tommy” F. Lange, 85, of Whitewater passed away peacefully at his home on July 16, 2022.

Tommy is survived by his dear friends Jason Ondricka (Christine), John Vodenlich (Jennifer), Kevin Bullis (Kathy), Matt Zwaschka (April), Adam Latella (Jessica), Ryan Callahan (Danyelle), Bob Berezowitz (Jan), Lance Liepold (Kelly), Carol Miller, and countless other Warhawk students, athletes, coaches, faculty, and alumni. Tommy is preceded in death by his parents Karl F. Lange and Bernice E. Lange (Follensbee), as well as longtime friend and UW-Whitewater Head Baseball Coach Jim Miller.

Tommy was born on November 4, 1936, and raised in Watertown, WI. During his childhood, Tommy was captivated with trains. This fascination with trains continued throughout his entire life. Tommy attended St. Henry’s Grade School and graduated in 1950, followed by Watertown High School in 1954. He received his Undergraduate Degree in History & Economics from Ripon College in 1958, and ultimately received his Master’s Degree in Business Administration from University of Wisconsin – Whitewater in 1973.

Tommy was an active service member of the United States Army from 1959-1970. He was stationed in Korea for over a year during this time. Tommy achieved the Commissioned Officer rank of Captain by 1964, and he served in the Adjutant General’s Corps. Upon being relieved from active duty in 1970, he transferred into the National Guard. Tommy was honorably discharged from the military in 1976. During his service, Tommy received the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, and the Army Commendation (1^st OLC).

Tommy began his 30-year career with the United States Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service as a Tax Auditor in 1974. During his tenure he was appointed as the Representative of the District Director of the Janesville IRS office.

Beginning in 1977, Tommy dedicated 45 years of service to UW-Whitewater Warhawk athletics as a volunteer, supporter, contributor, and fan. For many years, he was the PA announcer for football games, baseball games, wrestling meets, and women’s basketball games. He also worked the table for men’s basketball games. Tommy additionally donated his time at football practices as the air horn man who had coaches switch segments of practice on schedule. Tommy was a member of almost every booster club, including the Quarterback Club, the Tip-Off Club, and the Dugout Club, serving as the treasurer of the QB Club for several years. He sponsored numerous trips and meals for the different athletic teams, and was always willing to assist any program with a donation. In 1997, Tommy became a Warhawk Athletics Hall of Fame inductee and recipient of the Distinguished Service Award, for his years of significant contribution to the success of UW-W athletics programs.

Over the years, Tommy made a point to know every player by name and position on each of the teams he supported. He touched countless lives working with Warhawk athletic staff and teams, pouring his time, energy, and resources into their programs while asking for nothing in return. His presence, laughter, Elvis impressions, and one-liners will be dearly missed.

Tommy “The Kid” was truly a legend. He lived and breathed Warhawk athletics, and will always be remembered as “Mr. Warhawk.”

Tommy was known by everyone for his countdown toward the upcoming season by telling you the exact hours, minutes, and seconds left before the first game. Tommy lived a service filled life, totaling 751,234 hours, 26 minutes, and 18 seconds. . . ”but who’s counting,” as he would have said. Tommy’s legacy lives in all of us that were truly blessed to call him our friend.

The Funeral Service for Tommy will be held on Monday, August 29^th, from 5 p.m.-7 p.m., at Nitardy Funeral Home in Whitewater, WI. A private burial will take place at St. Henry’s Cemetery in Watertown. A Celebration of Life Memorial Ceremony will be held at the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater University Center on Monday, September 19^th, from 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m. In honor of Tommy, please wear your favorite Whitewater Warhawk apparel when attending the funeral service and/or memorial ceremony.

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

THOMAS EDWARD GANFIELD

Thomas (“Tom”) Edward Ganfield, age 60, at rest August 13, 2022 when he was surrounded by his loving family. Thomas was born in Chicago March 23, 1962 to the late Muriel (Davis) and David Ganfield. He graduated Loyola Academy in 1980, attended the University of Michigan, and then graduated Knox College in 1984. He completed his graduate studies at Duke University, earning a master’s degree in environmental engineering in 1985.

He started his work career as an environmental scientist with the State of Missouri in Jefferson City, MO, then to Woodward-Clyde Consultants in Chicago, and lastly at Baxter & Woodman in their Burlington, WI office. It was then that he moved to his beloved lake home on Whitewater Lake in southeast Wisconsin, where he had happily lived for the past 22 years.

Earning an early retirement in 2019, Thomas served his clients with considerable expertise as a wetlands specialist engaging in environmental impact assessments, wetlands restoration, and water quality issues. He was deeply involved in volunteer efforts with myriad local environmental and community causes, as well as writing short stories and plays and researching family history. He was an inveterate Chicago Cub fan.

Thomas Ganfield was a true “man for others”; his brother and family meant everything to him. He was a man of strong principles and lived his life according to them: faith, family, and community service. To his family and friends, he was also a model of strength and will be most remembered for his gentle and kind spirit, love, passion, and acceptance. Indeed, he was loved by everybody who knew him and will be sorely missed.

He is the beloved brother of David (Jeanne) of Lake Bluff, IL; adoring nieces Jacquelyn Ganfield and Lindsay (Drew) Barrios both of Chicago, IL, and nephew Peter Ganfield of Denver, CO; cousins, and many friends.

Visitation Saturday, August 20, 2022 9:30 a.m. at Wenban Funeral Home, 320 Vine Avenue, Lake Forest, IL, with celebration of Thomas’ life to follow 11:00 a.m. at The Church of the Holy Spirit, 400 E. Westminster, Lake Forest, IL 60045. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Humane Society of Jefferson County, W6127 Kiesling Rd., Jefferson, WI 53459 https://hsjc-wis.com/donate/

Info: Wenban Funeral Home, www.wenbanfh.com or (847) 234-0022.

Joseph Ray Brown, 58, of Milton, Wisconsin passed away peacefully on Friday, August 5, 2022, after a 5-year battle with ALS.

Joe was born August 1, 1964, in Janesville, Wisconsin to Ronald and Janet Brown.  He grew up on the Milton family farm and attended Milton schools.  He graduated from Milton High School in 1982 and attended UW-Madison majoring in agricultural business.  After college he worked as an agronomist and sales representative for multiple seed companies, including Pioneer Hybrid for the last 20 years.

Joe had a wide range of interests including music, reading, 3D printing, home brewing, NASA/space, model rocketry, science fiction, cannons, computer science and travel.  Joe and Lisa (and often their children) travelled to more than 10 countries, including a trip to Cuba with the band Blondie.  Joe was a large supporter of youth through Milton 4H and Milton FFA Alumni. 

Joe’s kind heart was exceeded only by his sense of humor.  His customers were truly his friends, many of whom were people he knew his entire life.  Joe wanted everyone to be happy and kind to others.  Small everyday acts of kindness can improve the world.

Joe courageously battled ALS for 5 years, never giving up.  He was continuously inventing and utilizing his 3D printer to improve his ALS journey.  He had a wonderful team of caregivers who made every day a joy for both him and Lisa.

Joe is survived by his wife Lisa; daughters Teegan (Jim) Scofield and Mina Heinen-Brown; grandchildren Maddison and Reid Scofield; his parents Ron Brown and Janet Kettle; his brother Rodney Brown and sister Danelle Kenney; and many relatives too numerous to mention (Joe had a very large family).  Joe’s caregivers included Susan and Christine, his niece Naomi, sister-in-law Linda, uncle Jim, as well as his fabulous breathing technicians Kathy and Bob.

Joe has left us much too soon and he will be missed every single day.  Joe and Lisa fell asleep every night holding hands.  Joe had a huge personality that affected everyone he met, enriching everyone’s lives.  Joe made being happy look easy.  Please take a moment tonight, go outside, look up at the stars and think of Joe.

Funeral services for Joe will be 11:00 a.m. on August 15, 2022, at the Albrecht Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Milton.

Visitation times for Joe will be Sunday, August 14, 2022 from 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. at the Albrecht Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Milton, and again on Monday, August 15, 2022 at 1000 a.m. until time of service at the funeral home.

Interment to follow at Milton Cemetery 131 N Janesville Street, Milton.  A luncheon repast will follow at Lisa and Joe’s farm, 2626 E County Rd M.  

The funeral will also be livestreamed online for those who are unable to attend, please contact the funeral home day of for information regarding the livestream.

In lieu of flowers the family asks for donations to the Wisconsin chapter of the ALS Association at als.org/donate

Carolyn Stroupe, 96, of Whitewater, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on Wednesday morning, July 27, 2022, at Agrace Hospice in Madison, Wisconsin. 

Carolyn was born January 9, 1926, in Buck Creek, Indiana, the daughter of Frank and Eva Pearson. She graduated from high school in Monticello, Indiana, and in her younger years spent many a summer day and evening at Indiana Beach dancing to big name bands of the era. Carolyn had a lovely singing voice and often sang in high school programs and for church on Sunday. 

Carolyn always identified herself as a farm girl and loved the rural life, living in the country, growing flowers and vegetables, adopting stray critters that wandered onto the farm, and doing the work that needed to be done. She loved to be busy and worked hard on the farm. She found satisfaction in fixing things and decorating her home with an artistic touch that she came by naturally. Even though, for a time, she lived in a condo in Florida she found herself coming back home in her later years to the rural area she loved in Whitewater. She lived a long full life and enjoyed traveling but was just as content to curl up in the evening at home with her devoted cat, Pfeffy. 

She was preceded in death by her parents and her only brother, J Frank Pearson. Pfeffy has also returned to her ‘rainbow’ home and was hopefully there to greet Carolyn as she made her journey to her heavenly home. 

Surviving are her former husband and lifelong friend, David Stroupe, of Whitewater, Wi.; her children by a previous marriage, Larry Joe (Kay) Wall of Watertown, Wi.; Linda Wall Walcher of Freeburg, Illinois; Jack (Jeanne) Wall of Strawberry, Arizona; seven grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren; and five great-great grandchildren. 

The family would like to thank the staff at Mulberry Glen Senior Living and Agrace Hospice for their kind and compassionate care. 

A memorial service will be held Wednesday, August 17, 2022, at 12:00 P.M. at the First United Methodist Church, 145 S. Prairie Street, Whitewater. Visitation will take place from 11:00 A.M. until the time of the service. Inurnment will be private.