Wallace William Small

Wallace William Small, 87, passed away at his residence on Saturday, August 20, 2011.

A lifelong resident of Racine, Wallace was born during a winter snow storm on February 6, 1924, on his grandmother's dining room table, the son of the late Joseph J. and Esther (nee. Larson) Small, Sr. He graduated from Washington Park High School "Class of 1942." He served in the United States Army during World War II stationed in Saipan.

After the war, Wallace fell in love with the "little red head girl" whose grandparents lived across the street from his parents. He was a member of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church Choir under the direction of William 'Bill' Krumberger where she was the organist. On June 16, 1951, at St. Mary's he married her, the former Jacqueline M. Dubuque. He fulfilled his promise to her of 10 years when they celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary this past June.

Wallace was an electrical contractor who worked with and for his father at Joseph J. Small Electric until his retirement in March 1986. He was a member of the Electrician's Union and served on the Electrician's Apprenticeship Board; of the Catholic Men's Association of Racine; a past member of the Racine Pigeon Club; and he served on various boards and committees at church. He was in the parish choir at St. Mary's and later at Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church along with his wife who was the organist at both parishes. Upon retirement, he and Jacqueline traveled throughout the country with car, bicycles, canoe and tent. They traveled to every State in the Union, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, every Province of Canada, Ireland, and Slovakia. He loved crossword puzzles, gardening and tinkering with many things. He was an avid hunter, fisherman and family man. He helped his father build a cottage, "Ye Olde Chatter Box," on Big Arbor Vitae Lake in Woodruff, where he often went with family to hunt, fish and vacation.

Wallace was a devout and faithful Roman Catholic who raised 12 children who were not only "12 times the work, 12 times the arguments, 12 times the headaches,...but 12 times the fun." And he will be dearly missed more than 12 times over.

He is survived by his loving wife, Jacqueline; their 12 children: Kathleen Hagen, Theresa (John) Craddock, James (Michelle) Small, Susan (James Findlay) Small, Daniel (Victoryia) Small, Cynthia (Eddie) Martin, Timothy (Ann) Small, Jennifer Small, Mary Small, Lorraine (James) Matson, Rev. Fr. Jeffery Small and Andrew (Lori Jo) Small; 23 grandchildren and 1 step-granddaughter: Kathleen's children, Patricia (Michael) Drews, Michael Hagen and Jessica Weisensel; Theresa's daughter, Amber Craddock; James' sons, Cullen, Shea, Cody and Cameron Small; Daniels' children, Amanda and Trevor Small; Cynthia's children, Joshua (April), Nicole and Brittany Driver; Timothy's daughter, Rebecca and step-daughter, Jessica (Jacob) Rairie; Jennifer's son, Scott (Samantha) Hall; Mary's children, Joni (Matthew) Sturino and Brett Sorensen; Lorraine's children, Erik, Kyle and Anna; Andrew's daughters, Rachel, Charlotte and Abigail; 15 great-grandchildren and 3 step-great-grandchildren: Kathleen's grandchildren, Patricia's son, Brecker Drews and Michael's daughter, Hailie Pavlick; Theresa's granddaughters, Danisha, Annika and Amari Moten; Daniel's grandchildren, Amanda's children, Benjamin Garfield and Gabrielle Bell-Small; Cynthia's grandchildren, Joshua's daughters, Amaya and Ava Driver and step-daughter Alexis Collova, Nicole's son, Pierre Majors, and Brittany's daughter, Brianna Driver; Timothy's step-grandchildren, Jessica's children, McKaela and Aiden Rairie; Jennifer's grandchildren, Gabriel and Macy Hall; Mary's grandsons, Joni's sons, Matthew and Dominic Sturino; one sister and brother-in-law, Marilyn and Donald Trimberger; one sister-in-law, Delores Small; nieces and nephews; one aunt, Elaine Larson; one cousin, Deborah Szuhai; other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Elizabeth Felton; one brother, Joseph J. Small, Jr.; his in-laws, Charles and Ethel Dubuque; and one niece, Eileen Andersen.

There will be a visitation at the funeral home on Monday, August 29, 2011, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. with a Rosary recited at 7 p.m. Funeral Mass will be offered on Tuesday, August 30, 2011, at 10 a.m. at the funeral home with graveside services and full military honors immediately following at Holy Cross Cemetery on Hwy. 32 - Douglas Avenue.

His wife requests the offering of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass for Wallace's intention. Memorials may be directed to American Life League or Concerned Women for America.

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