Esther E. (Bogosian) Larsen

Surrounded by the love of her family, Esther E. Larsen, age 86, passed away on Monday, November 7, 2011, at Wheaton Franciscan All Saints Medical Center. She was born in Racine, January 30, 1925, daughter of the late Garabed and Saranush (Nee: Ekizian) Bogosian.

Esther graduated from Wm Horlick High School “Class of 1944.” On July 25, 1953, at Grace Lutheran Church she was united in marriage to Kenneth L. Larsen Sr. who preceded her in death January 15, 1977. Esther was employed by J.I. Case Co. for many years, retiring in 1984. She was a member of St. Hagop Armenian Apostolic Church and the J.I. Case Co. Twenty Year Club. She volunteered with the Lifeline Program at Wheaton Franciscan All Saints St. Luke’s Hospital. Throughout the years, Esther enjoyed bowling, bingo, ceramics and knitting. She was an avid Green Bay Packer and Wisconsin Badger Fan. Above all she was a loving wife and mother and will be dearly missed.

Surviving are her son, Kenneth (Karen) Larsen Jr. of Pewaukee; granddaughter, Sarah Larsen of Waukesha; sisters and brother, Rose “Lu” Bogosian and Ann Scantling of Racine, Sam Bogosian of Mobile, AL, Margaret (Jerome) Bloxdorf of Racine; sister-in-law, Carol Larsen; nieces and nephews, Sari Bogosian, Mel (Darlene) Larsen, James Wendt and Jackie Wendt; cousins, the Mikaelian Family; other relatives and dear friends. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her brother, Sarkis; her infant brother, Samuel; and her stepfather, Garabed Aghabalian.

Funeral services will be held Friday, November 11, 2011, at 11 a.m. at St. Hagop Armenian Apostolic Church, 4100 Newman Rd., with Rev. Der Hrant Kevorkian officiating. Interment will follow at Graceland Cemetery. Relatives and friends may meet Thursday at the funeral home from 5-7 p.m. (7 p.m. Prayer Service) and on Friday at the church from 10 a.m. until time of service. Memorials to St. Hagop Armenian Apostolic Church have been suggested.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to Dr. Thomas Goodrich and the staff of Wheaton Franciscan All Saints for their loving and compassionate care.

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

Geraldine A. 'Nana' (Bibby) Chapin

Geraldine A. Chapin, “Nana,” age 88, passed away Sunday, November 6, 2011, at Wheaton Franciscan – All Saints Medical Center. Geraldine was born in Toledo, Ohio, on September 29, 1923, daughter of the late David and Ann (Nee: Miller) Bibby.

On April 21, 1946, at Lady of the Valley in Orange, NJ, she was united in marriage to Neale E. Chapin who preceded her in death, August 11, 1998. She was a lifelong member of St. Sebastian Catholic Church. Geraldine enjoyed shopping, square dancing and camping. More than anything, she cherished time spent with her family, especially her grandchildren. She will be deeply missed.

Survivors include her children, Edward Chapin, Dennis (Sherre) Chapin, Clifford (Carolynn) Chapin, Claudia (Thomas) Engstrom, Gretchen (Michael) Burgess, all of Racine; 17 grandchildren, Teresa, Chad, Cory (Troy), Joseph, Douglas, Kelly (Jessica), Derek, Jamey, Erica, Krysta (Chad), Troy, Kelcy, Megan, Hayley, Travis, Brandon and Tanner; 7 great-grandchildren, Ashli (Daniel), Andrew, Tony, Sophia, Steven, Gavin, Lukas and Nolan; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many dear friends. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her brothers and sister, David (Fran) Bibby, Dennis (Lillian) Bibby, Margaret (Pat) Travers.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday, November 10, 2011, at noon at St. Sebastian Catholic Church, 3100-95th St., with Rev. Paul L. Raczynski officiating. Interment will follow at West Lawn Memorial Park. Relatives and friends may meet with the family Thursday at the church from 9 a.m.  until time of Mass at noon. Memorials to St. Sebastian’s Catholic Church have been suggested.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to Judith Chapin for her loving and compassionate care and to her dear friends Irene Christman and Rita Grasso and her friends from Natures Villa for their many visits that Geraldine cherished.

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

Marilyn C. (Craig) Jones

Marilyn C. Jones, 85, passed away peacefully at her home, Saturday, November 5, 2011.

Marilyn was born in Oak Park, Illinois, on June 28, 1926, to Clarence and Esther Craig. After graduating from Lawrence University she married Richard V. Jones on July 9, 1949. Marilyn loved tennis and was city singles champ for many years; she continued to play regularly and well until she was 83. She was a talented and creative artist. Marilyn owned and operated The Decoupage Shop in downtown Racine with her dear friend, Louise Kivlin. An avid reader, Marilyn was known to read two to three books a week. Most importantly, she was devoted mother and inspiration to her five children, who adored her.

She was survived by her children, Sally (Donald) Orth, Casey (Joycelyn) Jones, Steven (Sally) Jones, Betsy (Brian) Allman and Amy (Bill) Zahalka; and her grandchildren, Lindsay, Craig and TJ Orth, Maggie Jones, Jessica (Bill) Jones Thompson, Katie (Tony) Jones Chiaramonte, Samantha (Adam) Jones –Tweedy, Sam Allman, Eli Allman, Van Zahalka, and Joey Zahalka; and her brother, Robert T. Craig; brother-in-law, Rod (Mary) Jones; and sister-in-law, Colleen (Chuck) Foster.

A Memorial service for Marilyn will be held on Tuesday, November 8, 2011, at Maresh-Meredith Funeral Home at 11 a.m. Friends may visit with the family at the funeral home from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. Memorials to Racine Public Library and Racine Heritage Museum have been suggested.

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

Jean L. (Kwapil) Thornton

Surrounded by her loving family, Jean L. Thornton, age 77, passed away Thursday, November 3, 2011, at Wheaton Franciscan – All Saints Medical Center. Jean was born in Racine on April 7, 1934, daughter of the late Arthur and Verna (Nee: Spathol) Kwapil.

On September 15, 1950, in Dubuque, Iowa she was united in marriage to Donald O. Thornton. Jean was an avid bingo player and enjoyed reading and knitting. She treasured time spent with her family, especially their trips to Door County. Jean was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother who will be deeply missed.

Survivors include her loving husband of sixty-one years, Donald; her eight children, Jackie Dresen, Glen (Cindy) Thornton, Guy Thornton, Perry (Wendy) Thornton, Kenny (Cheri) Thornton, Becky (Paul Hughes) Carbajal, Cory Kelley, Mitch Thornton; her grandchildren, Shonna (Nick) Royer, Erik (Sheena) Mohrbacher, Deven Mohrbacher, Nickie (Jeremiah) Bass, Sara (Scott) Perry, Paul (Brenda) Kraus, Josh Thornton (Courtney), Justin (Amy) Thornton, Akashia (Elishia) Allen, Jason Vasey, Tia Thornton, Thor Thornton, Andrew (Andrea) Carbajal, Angel (Diante) Carbajal, Jeanna (Larry) Pearson, Amber Thornton, Brandy (Demetrius) LaGrone, Amanda Thornton, Richard Villarreal, and Isaac Garcia; 42 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; brother, Robert Kwapil; sister-in-law, Gracie Bahr’s; her faithful companion, Sammy; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many dear friends. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her two brothers, Richard and William Kwapil; and sister, Lorraine Nelson.

Funeral services will held Wednesday, November 9, 2011, at 11 a.m. at the funeral home. Interment will follow at the Southern Wisconsin Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery, Town of Dover. Relatives and friends may meet with the family Wednesday at the funeral home from 9:30 a.m. until time of service at 11 a.m. Memorials to the Kidney Foundation or to the American Cancer Society have been suggested.

A very special thank you to all the Wheaton Franciscan caregivers and to Lavita Dialysis Center for their loving and compassionate care.

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

Joshua Evan Dorval

Sturtevant – Joshua E. Dorval, 27, went home to be with his Savior, Jesus Christ on November 3, 2011.

Josh was born in Racine to Barrett and Leanne (nee: Hansen) Dorval on January 26, 1984. He was proud to have attended Gateway Technical College and was an Assistant Manager of Cousin’s Subs.

Josh was a lifelong member of First Baptist Church. He loved nature; being outdoors, canoeing and camping. He was gifted at photography and had an affinity for cats. Josh was a bright and intelligent person with a great sense of humor. He was a loyal friend with an infectious smile. What was most important to him was his love for his family.

Josh is survived by his mother, Leanne (Gary) LaValle; his maternal grandmother, Lois Hansen; his sister, Alison Dorval; his brother, Ben (Erica) Dorval; two nephews, Barrett and Carlton Dorval; aunts, uncles, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Barrett Rell Dorval; and his other grandparents.

Funeral services will be held at First Baptist Church, 3117 Lathrop Ave., on Tuesday, November 8, 2011, at 10 a.m. with Rev. Holly Anderle officiating. Interment will follow at West Lawn Memorial Park Chapel. Relatives and friends may meet with the family at the Wilson Funeral Home on Monday evening, November 7, 2011, from 5 until 8 p.m. and on Tuesday morning at the church from 9 a.m. until the time of service.

Wilson Funeral Home
1212 Lathrop Ave., Racine   262-634-3361

James F. Cape, Jr.

James F. Cape, 88, was peacefully called home to God and eternal life while surrounded by family on November 3, 2011.

James Francis Cape was born on April 21, 1923, in Racine, son of the late James F. Cape, Sr. and Barbara (nee: Koenig) Cape. Jim was raised in Racine and attended St. Catherine’s High School. He proudly served in the U.S. Army teaching radar technology during World War II. After the war, he graduated from Marquette University, earning a Bachelor’s degree in advertising, and was employed by S.C. Johnson and Son in sales. He later went to work for Ideals Publishing Company in Milwaukee, eventually becoming President of the Company.

In retirement Jim pursued his lifelong passion for world travel. He loved to explore foreign countries and often wandered off well-worn tourist paths to learn first-hand about the people native to the land. He explored 54 countries this way and discovered a world far beyond the descriptions found in full-color travel brochures.

Jim made physical fitness a priority - often walking and biking for miles. He was an accomplished tennis and racquetball player and was an active swimmer. He also gave generously of his time doing community service work.

He was a member of St. Lucy’s Catholic Church and in the later years of his life enjoyed attending the Racine Symphony Concert Series with close friends. His sense of humor and easy smile set him apart and endeared him to family, friends and colleagues.

Survivors include his nephews and nieces: Kathy Becker, Chris Magruder (Suzette), Jim Magruder (Karen), Mary Magruder, Bob Magruder (Patti), Joan Morales (Ron), Maureen Kuglitsch (John); his grandnephews and nieces: Paul Kuglitsch (Kelly), Mark Kuglitsch (Fran), Shannon Christensen, Michael Schutz (Kelley), Matthew Magruder (Whitney), Nathan Magruder (Jenna), David Magruder, Mark Magruder (Jamie), Kris Magruder, Kayleen Moll(Ryan), Marciano, Allyssa and Nicholas Morales; and many dear friends and former colleagues.

An only child, Jim was preceded in death by his parents: James and Barbara Cape; cousins: John and Elizabeth Hall, Joe Broecker, Glenn and Delores Kosek, James and Rosemary Magruder, Raymond Koenig and Bill and Trudy (Koenig) Diem; nephew-in-law Bill Becker; and other aunts, uncles and cousins.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, November 9, at 10:30 a.m. at Saint Lucy’s Church, 3101 Drexel Ave., Racine. Entombment will follow at Calvary Cemetery. Relatives and friends may meet with the family at the Wilson Funeral Home, 1212 Lathrop Ave., Racine on Tuesday, November 8, from 5 to 8 p.m. and at church from 9:30 until the time of Mass. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Wisconsin Council of the Blind or Arthritis Foundation will be appreciated.

Wilson Funeral Home
1212 Lathrop Ave., Racine 262-634-3361

Elizabeth J. 'Betty' (Dickert) Friedel

With her family by her side, Elizabeth J. “Betty” Friedel died peacefully early Wednesday morning, Nov. 2, 2011, at her residence. Elizabeth was born in Racine on November 27, 1920, daughter of the late Anthony W. and Frieda (nee: Truelsch) Dickert.

Betty graduated from St. Catherine’s High School, “Class of 1938.” On October 11, 1941, she was united in marriage to Norbert F. Friedel at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, where she was a longtime member. Norbert preceded her in death September 28, 1964. Throughout her life, Betty was employed as a professional secretary for various Racine firms on a part-time basis, while she raised her eight children. She enjoyed a longtime working relationship with patent attorney Arthur Hansmann. She retired after twenty years of fulltime employment at Walker Mfg. In her retirement years Betty enjoyed golfing, dancing and a good game of Schafskopf.

She is survived by her special friend and companion, Ralph Williams; children, Liz McWhorter of Boise, ID, Janet Henrickson of San Diego, CA, Thomas (Linda) Friedel, Michael (Mary) Friedel, Tony (Mary Kay) Friedel, Tina (James) Kunka, Rob Friedel, all of Racine; twenty-four grandchildren; twenty-six great-grandchildren; brother, Thomas (Betty) Dickert; sister, Audrey (Jack) Moore; sister-in-law, Marie Turner, all of Racine; many loving nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. In addition to her parents and husband, Betty was also preceded in death by her son, Norman; granddaughter, Robin Wilson; five brothers and five sisters.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 1533 Erie St., on Saturday, November 5, 2011, at 11 a.m., with Rev. Sean Granger officiating. Private interment will be held at Holy Cross Cemetery, Kinzie Avenue. Relatives and friends may meet with the family at the church Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until time of Mass. Memorials to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, the Susan G. Komen Foundation or to Hospice Alliance Inc. have been suggested.

The family extends a very special thank you to Dr. Michael Mullane and his staff, and to Hospice Alliance and their staff for all of their loving and compassionate care.

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