Monday, January 5, 2015

Nancy L. Saavedra

Nancy L. Saavedra, age 77, passed away on Monday, January 5, 2015, at Wheaton Franciscan – All Saints Medical Center. Nancy was born in Racine on April 14, 1937, daughter of the late Samuel and Louise (Nee: Itzenhuiser) Brisko.

On October 31, 1953, in Elkhorn, WI, she was united in marriage to Mike Saavedra, who preceded her in death on February 11, 2010.

Throughout Nancy’s career she was employed by Independent Cleaners, Poly Clean and Martinizing. She was an active member of the Eagles Auxiliary. She enjoyed crafts, her gambling trips to Las Vegas and Potawatomi and was an avid Cubs and Forty Niners fan. More than anything, she enjoyed time spent with her family.

Survivors include her children, Randy (Cindy) Saavedra and Lynn Saavedra; her grandchildren, Sarah (Tony) Eschmann, Tracey (Derrick) Dal Santo, Steven (Nicole) Saavedra, Scott (Tori) Saavedra, Ryan Saavedra; six great-grandchildren, Kayla, Carter, Bailee, Reese, Ava and Dominic; sister, Barbara (Don) Bednar; brother, Sam (Jeaneen) Brisko; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Bill Beckett, Esther (Paul) Bishop, Anne Beckett, Mickey Saavedra; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many dear friends.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her son, Mike Saavedra Jr.

Funeral services will be held at the funeral home on Friday, January 9, 2015, at 10:30 a.m. with Reverend Kathy Brown officiating. Interment will follow at Graceland Cemetery. Relatives and friends may meet with the family at the funeral home Thursday from 5-7 p.m. and on Friday from 10 a.m. until time of service.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the staff at Lakeshore Manor, especially Nurse Jen, for their compassionate care and to the staffs of Wheaton Franciscan All Saints ER, ICU, and Hospice for their excellent care.

MARESH-MEREDITH & ACKLAM FUNERAL HOME
803 Main St., Racine, WI     (262) 634-7888

Saturday, January 3, 2015

Brian H. Lee

Brian H. Lee, age 42, passed away on Saturday, January 3, 2015, at Wheaton Franciscan – All Saints Medical Center. Brian was born in Racine on March 8, 1972.

Brian was a graduate of Washington Park High School “Class of 1990.” A hard worker, he was most recently employed with S.C. Johnson Wax for the past ten years and previously had been employed with Manheim Auto Auction for twenty years. Brian was an avid gamer and animal lover.

More than anything, he cherished time spent with his daughter, Jade. She was the sparkle in his eyes.

Survivors include his daughter, Jade; his parents, David and Doreen Lee; his sister, Jennifer Lee; his brother, Aaron Lee; his uncle, Paul Lee; his parents-in-law, William and Mary Jane Holck; his girlfriend, Sue VandenBranden and her daughter, Jessie Krogh; other relatives and many dear friends.

He was preceded in death by his Grandma Ruth Lee.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, January 10, 2015, at 3 p.m. at the funeral home. Relatives and friends may meet with the family Saturday from 1 p.m. until time of service at 3 p.m. Memorials to the family for Jade’s education have been suggested.

MARESH-MEREDITH & ACKLAM FUNERAL HOME
803 Main St., Racine, WI     (262) 634-7888

Friday, January 2, 2015

Winifred (Green) Lees

Winifred “Winnie” Lees, age 76, passed away at her residence on Friday, January 2, 2015. Winifred was born in Racine on March 13, 1938, daughter of the late Edward and Harriet (nee: Vyvyan) Green.

On April 7, 1956, at St. Patrick’s Church, she was united in marriage to Jerry J. Lees. They shared forty-six years together before Jerry passed away on November 28, 2002.

Winifred was employed with Quick Cable for over thirty years. In her spare time, she enjoyed watching the Green Bay Packers, the Brewers and the Wisconsin Badgers. Winnie was a loving mother and grandmother who will be dearly missed.

Survivors include her sons, Patrick Lees of Iron Mountain, MI, Jeffery (Tracey) Lees, Steven (Joset) Lees, all of Racine; grandchildren, Wesley Lees, Stephen and Adrian Rodriguez of Racine; Joe (Victoria) Rodriguez of Dallas, TX, Jeni (Beau) Sandberg and Nick Granquist of Iron Mountain, MI; five great-grandchildren; sisters, Mary Compton of Green Bay, Colleen Tadder of Missouri, Constance Green of TN; sister-in-law, Marge Green of IL; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

In addition to her parents and husband, Winifred was also preceded in death by her son, Brian Lees; grandson, Anthony Lees; brother, Edward Green; and daughter-in-law, Terri Lees.

A Memorial service will be held at the funeral home on Wednesday, January 7, 2015, at 1:30 p.m., with Rev. Ronald J. Gramza officiating. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery. Relatives and friends may meet with the family at the funeral home on Wednesday from noon until time of service.

MARESH-MEREDITH & ACKLAM FUNERAL HOME
803 Main St., Racine, WI     (262) 634-7888

Roland O. 'Ray' Rheaume

Roland O. "Ray" Rheaume, age 90, passed away on Friday, January 2, 2015, at the Racine Hospice House. Ray was born in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, on October 2, 1924, son of the late Odilon and Mary Ann Rheaume.

On September 6, 1947, at Santa Maria Addolorata Church in  Chicago, IL, he was united in marriage to his beloved Rosalie J. "Ricki" Nuccio.

He graduated from St Veronica's Grade School in 1938 and St. Philip's High School in 1942 in Chicago, IL. In April of l943 he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, and after boot camp in Coeur d'Alene, ID, successively served thirty-day training periods at the Naval Armories in Chicago, IL, and Michigan City, IN, followed by six months training at the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, DC. He was then assigned to the newly commissioned USS Rehoboth (AVP-50), a Barneget Class seaplane tender as Electronic Technician Mate 1/c. In that capacity he was responsible for the maintenance of all shipboard electronics and that of the seaplanes serviced, serving until April 1946. His ports of call included Boston, Norfolk, Rio and Recife, Brazil, Bristol, England, Panama, San Diego, Hawaii, Okinawa, Korea and Japan, and spent New Year's Eve in 1945 going up the Yangtze River in dense fog and blinding snow to Shanghai, China. His ship had left Bristol, England, and was off the Western coast of France on D day, and engaged and sank a German U-boat with depth charges after he successfully repaired the Sonar head in the bottom of the ship. The U.S. Navy sparked his avid interest in electronics.

On returning home to Chicago, he spent two years at Loyola University in a pre-Engineering curriculum, followed by three years at the University of Detroit in Detroit, MI, graduating with a BS in Electrical Engineering. Subsequent employment included the University of Detroit as an instructor; President of Ferrara, Inc., a design engineering firm in Oak Park, MI; Vice-President of Telecom, Inc., a private telephone switchboard manufacturer in Kansas City.

He then joined Webster Electric when Telecom, Inc., was acquired by Webster Electric. At Webster he worked successively in Telecom product integration as Senior Design Engineer leading to Assistant Chief Engineer in Communications, specializing in the development of tape recorders and sound systems; Chief Engineer in Webster and Sta-Rite heating products; Quality Assurance Manager; Product Safety Coordinator; Director of Quality Assurance; Service Department Manager; and Operating Manager for a plant closing and relocation. Because of his extensive electro-hydraulic experience, he became the Engineering Investigator from 1972 to retirement in December 1989 for all product liability claims against Webster Electric and its six subsidiary operations, also appearing as expert witness in many trials all over the country. As a post-retirement consultant, investigative work continued to July 2001.

Ray was a very active member of St. Mary's Parish, now Cristo Rey, until it closed, serving on the Parish Council and as lector and song leader. With the closure of St. Mary's he became a member of St. Patrick's. He has been a strong supporter and Choir member at the 9 a.m. Sunday Mass, and served as Lector and Eucharistic Minister. For many years he was very active in the Cursillo movement, serving as a team member and rector.

He deeply enjoyed family gatherings and the many trips to Colorado with family and friends for camping and mountain hiking, always hoping for one more opportunity, and delighted in his grandchildren. For many years he enjoyed riding a motorcycle, and in his younger years was an avid roller skater. He enjoyed fixing just about anything electrical or mechanical. He was also active in the St Mary's Hospital prostate cancer support group for many years, having had a radical prostatectomy in 1977.

Survivors include his loving wife of 67 years, Ricki; his five children, Antoinette Drier (fiancé, Martin Gierut), and Michael of Racine, Patrick (Jackie) of Alamosa, Colorado, Suzette (Christopher) Magruder of Milwaukee, and Martin of Racine; his eleven grandchildren, Brian and Daniel (Janna) Drier, Carli (Kenny) Rodrigues, Erika (Jose') Jiron, Katie (Martin) Chavez, Adam, Kamala, and Caitlin Rheaume, Christopher Rheaume Woodworth, Matthew (Whitney), and Nathan (Jenna) Magruder; his eight great-grandchildren, Owen and Evan Drier, Anthony Malak, and Taylor, Aiden, Zooey, Harper and Jason Magruder; his sister, Germaine (Melvin) Bost of Lockport, IL; his brother-in- law, James Constantine of Lombard, IL; nieces, nephews, other relatives and dear friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters: Jeanne Power and Jacqueline Constantine; and son-in-law, Thomas Drier.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Friday, January 9, 2015, at 11 a.m. at  St. Patrick's Catholic Church, 1100 Erie St., with Rev. Anthony Thomas and Rev. Richard Molter concelebrating. Relatives and friends may meet with the family Friday at church from 9:30 a.m. until time of Mass at 11 a.m. Entombment with Full Military Honors will be held at the Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery 21731 Spring St., Union Grove, Wl 53182. In lieu of flowers, donations to Wheaton Franciscan All Saints Cancer Center, 3809 Spring St., Racine, Wl 53405 or your favorite charity are suggested.

The family would like to express deep appreciation to all the caregivers who provided such wonderful and compassionate care to our father over the last three months of his life.

MARESH-MEREDITH & ACKLAM FUNERAL HOME
803 Main St., Racine, WI     (262) 634-7888

Thursday, January 1, 2015

Andre R. Tcheordikian

Andre R. Tcheordikian, age 84, passed away on Thursday, January 1, 2015, at Oak Ridge Care Center, Union Grove. Andre was born in Marseille, France, on February 25, 1930, son of the late Barsam and Esther (Nee: O’Hovnessian) Tcheordikian.

In August of 1954 in Beirut, Lebanon, he was united in marriage to Yester Hovnessian.

Andre was employed by West Publishing for thirty years, retiring in 1987.

He was a member of St. Mesrob Armenian Apostolic Church. He enjoyed reading and traveling to France to see his family. Above all he was a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather who will be dearly missed.

Survivors include his loving wife, Yester; his children, Jacques Gerard (Lisa) Tcheordikian, Andre Marcel Tcheordikian, Marilyn Tcheordikian; his four grandchildren, Robert, Michael, Erik and Emily; brothers, Jean Tcheordikian of Marseille, France, Marcel (Marie) Tcheordikian of Lyon, France; sister, Georgette Cordou of France; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many dear friends.

Private graveside services will be held at West lawn Memorial Park. Memorials to the Pancreatic Cancer Society have been suggested by the family.

MARESH-MEREDITH & ACKLAM FUNERAL HOME
803 Main St., Racine, WI     (262) 634-7888

Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Raymond T. Smith

Raymond “Ray” T. Smith, age 92, passed away on Wednesday, December 31, 2014, at Wheaton Franciscan- All Saints Medical Center. Ray was born in Omaha, NE, on January 19, 1922, son of the late Raymond Thomas Smith and Elsie Anne Smith (Nee: Wittke).

He served in the United States Coast Guard aboard the USS Newport (PF-27) in World War II as part of the Atlantic and Pacific Anti-Submarine Patrol and Convoy Duty.

Ray met Rhea Osterman in Racine, and they married on January 6, 1951. She preceded him in death on July 20, 2014.

While living in Racine, Ray was employed by Massey Ferguson Tank Division, Robert’s Shoes and Rogan’s Shoes.

His surviving children with Rhea include Kevin R. (Cindy) Smith of Racine, Dale D. Gibson of Palm Springs, CA, and Roberta Krause of Racine. He is further survived by eight grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; his sister, Connie Bertermann of Brookfield; other relatives and many great friends.

Private funeral services with Full Military Honors will be held at West Lawn Memorial Park.

MARESH-MEREDITH & ACKLAM FUNERAL HOME
803 Main St., Racine, WI   (262) 634-7888

Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Hazel E. Litrenta

Hazel E. Litrenta, age 91, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 30, 2014, at Lakeshore Manor. Hazel was born in Youngstown, Ohio, on January 24, 1923.

On June 7, 1947, she was united in marriage to Orlando Litrenta, with whom she shared fifty-two wonderful years of marriage. He preceded her in death on November 27, 1999.

She was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and member and past president of Christian Mothers, and member and past president of Vittoria Colonna. Hazel was a kind and gentle woman who was always there to help anyone in need. She will be dearly missed.

Survivors include her two brothers, Warren “Bud” Jones and Wally (Carol) Kroll; many loving nieces and nephews, Ronald (Mary) Guarascio, Ray (Penny) Guarascio, Anita Durbin, Loretta Andersen, Tony Savoli, Angie Gallo, Helen “Sis” Brook, George (Jean) Kroll, Tom (Laure) Kroll, Steve Jones, Debbie (Curtis) Schunacker, Lisa Hazlett; many great-nieces and nephews, great-great nieces and nephews; other relatives and dear friends.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by brother-in-law, Tony (Josie) Litrenta; sisters-in-law, Esther (Joseph) Guarascio and Rachael Gallo; nephews, Joseph Gallo, Jim Durbin, Dennis Andersen; and great-nephew, Randall Guarascio.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, January 5, 2015, at 11 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 2201 Northwestern Ave., with Rev. Ricardo Martin officiating.  Interment will be held at Holy Cross Cemetery, Hwy 32.  Relatives and friends may meet with the family Monday at the church from 10 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. (Vittoria Colonna Service) Memorials to Sacred Heart Catholic Church have been suggested.

A special thank you to the staff at Lakeshore Manor for their loving and compassionate care.

MARESH-MEREDITH & ACKLAM FUNERAL HOME
803 Main St., Racine, WI      (262) 634-7888