Obituaries

George Vandling, age 70, of Winneconne, formerly of Whitewater, died February 2, 2021 at his home.

George was born in Michigan on December 6, 1950 to Earl George and Carolyn Jean Vandling. The family lived in Villa Park, Illinois, and then moved to Whitewater where George graduated from high school in 1969.

George graduated from Sam Houston State University, and spent most of his life working in sales. He married Helen in 1974 and they had two children, Jessica and Joshua. He later married Heidi Sandner and they were married for 20 years before her death in 2015.

He loved history, and he loved to read. He was smart and witty and would drive his kids crazy in his antics to avoid asking them for anything. He could laugh at himself, and tell a good story, though he was a man of few words. He loved to fish and we find solace that he was able to buy a house on the water in the past few years to spend time doing what he loved.

He is survived by his children, Jessica (Shawn) Shiveler and his son, Joshua (Suzanne) Vandling and his three grandchildren, who hung the moon in his eyes, Molly Jean, and Embry Taylor and Parker Mason. He’s also survived by his sister Debora and brother in law Larry Gnatzig, and his nieces Vanessa and Caroline and their families.

We will plan a time to be together to share stories later this year. We think dad would like that, even though he’d probably say not to bother. Please email vandlingkids@gmail.com if you would like to be invited, or to simply let us know that you knew and remember him.

To honor him, a donation to your local animal shelter or to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, two organizations that were important to Heidi, and therefore important to him, are welcome. You could also cheer on the Cubs or Bears in memory of him, he’d like that.

Robin Marie Stradinger, 59, of Whitewater passed away on February 3^rd, 2021 at home surrounded by her loving family.

Robin was born on June 6, 1961 to John and Jane Evers. She grew up in Columbus and graduated from Columbus High School. On October 1, 1983, Robin married her beloved husband Theodore “Ted” Stradinger and together they had two daughters.

She enjoyed gardening, line-dancing, crafting, camping, listening to country music, and most of all spending time with her grandchildren. She also worked for thirty years in personal banking at BMO Harris in Janesville and Madison.

Robin is survived by her parents, John and Jane Evers; husband, Ted Stradinger; daughters, Lindsay (Chad) Wicker, Cara (Joe Smith) Stradinger; grandchildren, Tristan Wicker, Brody Stradinger, Gracelynn Wicker, Owen Smith, Case Smith; brother, Rick (Dianne) Evers; two nephews, Austin Evers, Jake Evers; two nieces, Mallory Stidmen, Sierra Evers; and five great-nieces, Lizzie, Olivia, Hailey, Emma, and Ellie Stidmen.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents; and brother, Lee Evers.

At this time there are no services.

The family would like to give special thanks to SSM Hospice and Jody Ritsch for their exceptional care for Robin.

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

Ft. Lauderdale, Fl. Norman H. Wegner Jr. passed away Friday Sept. 18, 2020 at the age of 82. He was the son of Norman H. Wegner and Vivian A. Patrick Wegner formerly of Whitewater, WI. Sister Sigrid S Wegner Gimla of Davidson, NC. Daughter Jinny Wegner 45, Victoria Wegner 44. Three grandchildren, Noah 11, Demi 10, and Ivory 2, all of Florida.

Norman was born in Manitowoc, WI. In 1938 at the beginning of WWII, Norman Sr. was a welder who worked on the submarines that served in the war effort. The love of the sea would ultimately be a constant presence in both father and son.

The family moved to Milton, WI and shortly then moved to Whitewater. Norman attended Whitewater State Teachers College. After graduating in 1956 Norman joined the Navy. Thus began the lure of the open road and sea.

After 3 yrs. Norman returned to Whitewater to attend college. During this period he would take a semester off and travel the world, Europe, Scandinavia, middle east, Orient and beyond. He always returned home to finish school. At one point after graduation, Norman joined the Merchant Marines on the upper peninsulas of the Great Lakes.

Norman married in 1974 to Johanna Vacchonie whom he met in Paris, France. Johanna was from New York, N.Y. and so they were married there. Norman was a Marine Insurance adjuster for Dole Foods. They moved to Florida and remained there.

Norman’s adventurous spirit remained a constant throughout his life. He was forever remodeling, repairing and adding on to his home. Gardening was also a passion as growing up in Wisconsin he had that rich black soil as a fond memory. The open road, sky and sea remained a strong part of Norman’s life to the very end. He will be missed by many as he was loved by many.

His wish was to be cremated and ashes spread at sea. Service will be planned at a later date.

Dolores Ann Schroeder, 86, of Fort Atkinson passed away peacefully after a lengthy battle with irreversible pulmonary hypertension on Tuesday, February 2, 2021 surrounded by her loving children at home.

Dolores was born on March 30, 1934 in Milwaukee to Bernard and Anna (Niessen) Konczal. She attended Pulaski High School. Dolores met the love of her life and married Thomas F. Schroeder on February 11, 1961. Together they had four children.

Dolores’ hobbies included reading, knitting, gardening, quilting, bird-watching, embroidering, as well as being a dedicated homemaker to her family. Music was also a big passion of hers and she loved to sing and play the piano and enjoyed her husband’s polka band music. Dolores and Thomas loved to travel and take “road trips,” especially to Door County, which was one of their favorite destinations. She was a faithful member at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Whitewater. Dolores will be deeply missed by all.

Dolores is survived by her children, Andrew Schroeder, Rose (Kevin) Fritz of Whitewater, Theresa (Jonathan) Hartwig of Fort Atkinson, Stephen (Jennifer) Schroeder of Milton; six grandchildren, Carl, Sarah and Jessica Fritz, Michael (Shelby Graffin) Hartwig, Kimberly (Tyler) Gailloreto, Amy (Donald) Anderson; great-grandchildren, Caspen Fritz, Dominic and Leo Gailloreto, as well as three soon-to-be great-grandchildren due this spring; and sister, Elaine Hammer.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Bernard and Anna; husband, Thomas; brother, Donald; sisters, Barbara and Christine.

A mass of Christian burial will take place at 11 a.m. on Friday, February 5, 2021 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Whitewater. A visitation will take place from 10 a.m. until the time of mass. The family asks that guests practice social distancing and dress casually for the services.

Memorials may be made to St. Patrick Catholic Church in Whitewater or Rainbow Hospice.

The family would like to give special thank-you to all of the medical staff, Rainbow Hospice, and Nitardy Funeral Homes for the exceptional care of their mom.

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

“Rub-a-dub-dub” 🙂

Diane Elizabeth Gessler, 72, of Fort Atkinson passed away on January 23, 2021 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison.

Diane was born on July 1, 1948 in Fort Atkinson to James George and Grace Elizabeth (Vondras) Gessler. She spent most of her early life in Whitewater, graduating from Whitewater High School and going on to earn a Bachelor’s Degree from UW-Whitewater. She then went on to maintain a career as an auditor for the Department of Revenue for 37 years until her retirement. She had many hobbies, including gardening, canning, reading, and cooking. She was also passionate about donating to charities and spending time with her family.

Diane is survived by her mother, Grace; her sister, Linda Pellmann and her husband Lee; her nieces and nephews, Tammy (Jeff) Miller, Teri (Jay) Tallman, Jamie Petrasek, Jason (Trisha) Pellmann; her great nieces and nephews, David, Kaila, Jacob, Noah, Brionna, Lukas, Riley, Cejay, Josh, Ethan, Lily, Macy, and Sienna.

She was preceded in death by her father, James; and Staff Sergeant David James Gessler.

A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, February 8, 2021 at Hillside Cemetery in Whitewater.

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

On Saturday, January 23rd, 2021, Bryan Palacios Perez “Isidro”, beloved son, brother and uncle, became an angel at the age of 14. 

Wasn’t your ordinary 14 years old teen, he had goals and plans to become a surgeon to save lives and take care of his family. He always loved to be surrounded by his family and friends. He enjoyed going fishing with his oldest brother, skateboarding, gaming, and going on adventures. 

In Middle School, he got second place in the Spelling Bee, which to his family it meant such a great compliment. Also, Bryan played the trombone and wanted to continue in High School joining band. He was a freshman in High School; had plans to join the FFA, The Science Club, and sports. 

Another of Bryan’s goals was to own a house out in the county with a small farm.

He enjoyed watching sports, even though he wasn’t an athlete himself he would always favored his family’s sports teams. 

Bryan has left an imprint on family, friends, and the community of Fort Atkinson and Whitewater. He may be gone from our sight, but never from our hearts. 

Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 30, 2021 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Whitewater. A visitation will take place from 10 a.m. until the time of services. Burial will take place at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Fort Atkinson. The family asks that guests wear white to represent Bryan as a white dove entering God’s kingdom.

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

On Saturday, January 23rd, 2021, Ethan Ryan Graciano Juan, beloved son and brother, became an angel at the age of 4. 

Ethan was born November 22nd, 2016 in Fort Atkinson,  WI to Luis and Leanna (Carlock) Graciano Juan. He enjoyed going to early childhood in the mornings. 

He loved superheroes, especially spiderman, and had fun playing fortnite and minecraft with his family. He also enjoyed building blocks, sword fighting and most of all, playing with his little sister, Nevaeh. He loved watching movies with his family. 

He was the kindest, sweetest little boy who would just light up the room and put a smile on everyone’s faces in an instant. He loved to help out, was very outgoing and social. He was a smart and intelligent little son.

He will be missed greatly by his parents, Luis Graciano Juan, Leanna (Carlock) Graciano Juan; sister Nevaeh Graciano Juan, grandparents Mayolo Palacios, Susana Perez, Suzanna Carlock; also survived by many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

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

            James Zanton, age 71, died January 22, 2021.

            He was born November 30, 1949 to Merlin and Darlene (Wegner) Zanton in Johnstown, Wisconsin.  He attended Johnstown Community School and graduated from Whitewater High School.  Jim – a 4^th generation dairy farmer – started farming side by side with his father.  Jim married Mary Jo Simon in 1976, and they had seven children.  He then farmed alongside Mary Jo and all the children, milking fifty-eight cows a day, baling hay, and picking up rocks.

            Jim won the FFA’s highest award, the American Farmer Degree.  He and Mary Jo met through the Grange and were the “National Grange Couple of the Year” in 1985.  He was a member of the National Grange Youth Committee in 1986.  He served as Master of the local Grange, was vice-president of the Wisconsin State Grange and was a member of the National Grange Dairy Committee.  Jim recruited over five-hundred new Grange members and organized the local Grange chapters of Wolf River, Four Lakes, Harmony, Rock Prairie, Jonesdale, and Blue Valley Pomona.  As well as Junior Granges of Rock-Walworth, Turtle, and Rock Prairie.  Jim organized the Grange basketball tournaments and Grange softball tournaments for rural youth.  He organized the Grange for Vet school to bring a school of Veterinary Medicine to Wisconsin.  He acquired more legislative votes than any other person to get it passed.

            In 1988, he was granted a real estate license.  He specialized in farms, farmland, farmettes, and rural homes, working primarily for Shorewest Realtors.  In 2007 he was named Sales Director of the Janesville Shorewest office.  In 2014 he was voted Realtor of the Year.  For many years, Jim organized Shorewest’s Salvation Army Golf Outing Fundraiser.

            Jim was on the Johnstown town board for six years, and the planning and zoning committee for eleven years.  He worked for McNall Farms, helping them rent twenty-one farms.  Because he was so involved in the Johnstown and Milton area, every drive with Jim was filled with stories about the properties he had become so familiar with.

            Sports held a special spot in Jim’s life.  He was a Milwaukee Brewers season ticket holder since 1988 and a Green Bay Packers season ticket holder since 1990.  In 2008 he even became an owner of the Packers!  He loved pick-up games of basketball and baseball in his youth and instilled the love of sports in his children.  During halftime of every Packer game the family would run outside to get in a quick football game before the 2^nd half.  The family enjoyed playing a world series game, boys vs. girls, every year.  Jim and Mary Jo attended as many of the children’s and grandchildren’s sporting events as possible, sometimes driving from town to town to catch different games, meets, and events in the same day.  They even regularly attended Steve’s football games in River Falls.  Jim was also proud to coach little league baseball and girls’ softball for eighteen years in the Milton Recreation League.

            Jim and Mary Jo loved to travel.  Fun family trips were a yearly event.  Some of the most memorable trips were to Washington D.C., California, South Dakota, Texas, Las Vegas, New York, Pennsylvania, and of course, Disney World and Disneyland.  Jim loved musicals and other performances and spent a lot of time in the audience of his children’s and grandchildren’s show choir performances, musicals, gigs, Sunday school plays, piano recitals and more.  He enjoyed all levels of performances: from the county fair to New York and Las Vegas.  Jim especially loved the music from Hamilton.

            He was a lifelong member of First English Lutheran Church in Whitewater, serving as chairman of the Finance Committee for three years.

            He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Robert Zanton, grandson Daniel Zanton, brother-in-law Larry Taugher, in-laws Joe and Marie Simon, sister-in-law Katie Simon, and sister-in-law Adele Simon.

            Jim is survived by his wife, Mary Jo; Dr. Geoffrey (Sara) Zanton and their five children, Anna, Sam, Henry, Luke and Maggie; Jennifer (Michael) Mood and their four children, Simon, Zeke, Abe and Jonah; Patricia Zanton; Marie (Adam) Stapleton and their child, Corinthea; Elizabeth (Jon) Maloto and their children, Elijah and Isaiah; Thomas (Caitlyn) Zanton and their children, Cora and Bailey; Stephen Zanton (girlfriend Mariah Cooper); sister, Judi Taugher; sister-in-law Jody Zanton; brothers-in-law Greg (Dianna) Simon, Jerry (Denise) Simon, and Dan (Lori) Simon; and nephews and nieces.

            His battle with cancer is over, but his zest for life and love will live on forever. 

                                         “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

A public visitation will take place from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 29, 2021 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Whitewater.  A private family service will take place at 11 a.m. at the church and will be live-streamed from www.nitardyfuneralhome.com.  The public visitation will be socially distanced, and masks are required. 

In lieu of flowers, please mail donations in memory of Jim, to Salvation Army, 514 Sutherland Ave. Janesville, WI 53545 or Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer, Inc (MACC Fund) maccfund.org

The family would like to give special thanks to Jim’s healthcare team, especially the oncology unit at Mercyhealth in Janesville. 

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

Robert “Bob” J. McLernon, 84, Whitewater, WI formerly of Lake Geneva, WI died peacefully at home Sunday January 24, 2021 after a long illness.  He was born March 14, 1936 in Elkhorn, WI the son of the late Walter and Alma (Renner) McLernon.  He graduated from Lake Geneva High School and treasured the friendship of classmates.  He was united in marriage on August 19, 1961 to Carol M. March in Lake Geneva, WI.  Robert served as street superintendent for the City of Lake Geneva for many years retiring in 1992.  After retirement, Bob was elected supervisor for the Town of Geneva.  He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing with his father, uncles, sons, brothers and friends.  A farm on the outskirts of Lake Geneva where the family picked up rocks, baled hay, and raised dairy calves was his prized possession. He enjoyed tinkering in the barn.  In addition to the calves, they had Hereford cattle, pigs, chickens, geese, turkeys, sheep and a horse or two.  He coached the 4-H baseball team.  His Labrador dogs brought him happiness. 

Bob was a devoted husband, father and grandfather who will be deeply missed by his wife of 59 years, Carol, his three children, Bonnie (Scott) Schupbach of Little Chute, WI, James McLernon of Whitewater, WI and Edward (Lonnie) McLernon of Lake Geneva, WI, a granddaughter, Kristin Moritz, a grandson, David (Jessica) Schupbach and two great-grandchildren, Brady Moritz and Jovie Schupbach.  He is also survived by two brothers, Larry (Lynne) McLernon of Lake Geneva, WI, Don (Judith) McLernon of Hilbert, WI, one sister, Ella Ficker of Lake Geneva, WI and one sister-in-law, Dorothy McLernon of Lake Geneva, WI.  Bob was preceded in death by his oldest brother, Richard, who died in October.

An open house celebration of Bob’s life will be held Saturday January 30, 2021 from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. at the Monte Carlo Room, 720 N. Wisconsin Street, Elkhorn, WI.  Memorials may be given in Bob’s name to: First Congregational United Church of Christ Lake Geneva, 715 Wisconsin Street, Lake Geneva, WI 53147 which he was a member, or the Richmond United Methodist Church, N6197 Church Road, Delavan, WI.  Online-guestbook can be found at www.haaselockwoodfhs.com.  Arrangements completed by Haase-Lockwood & Associates Funeral Homes and Crematory of Elkhorn, WI.

The McLernon family would like to thank Rainbow Hospice for their wonderful Care.