Ruth Ann Mau

Mrs. Ruth Ann (nee: Wodicka) Mau, 88, passed away peacefully on November 16, 2011, at Lakeshore Manor.

Ruth was born in Franksville on January 31, 1923, to Joseph and Nellie (nee: VanSwol) Wodicka. On June 22, 1946, she was united in marriage to James Wallace Mau. He preceded her in death on June 30, 2011. She was a member of Plymouth Congregational Church, Burlington, and the Hummel Club.

Ruth enjoyed gardening and needlework. Her greatest joy was being a homemaker, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

Ruth is survived by her daughter, Sue Ellen (Larry) Rasch, Austin, MN; her grandsons, Scott (Angela) Rasch, Racine; and Todd (Ellen) Rasch, Pewaukee, WI; her great-grandchildren, Connor, Logan, Eden and Wesley; sister, Joann (Joe) Habetlar; as well as nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, James; her parents; and brother, Harold Wodicka.

Funeral services will be held at the Wilson Funeral Home on Monday, November 21, 2011, at 1 p.m. with Rev. Robert Wang officiating. Entombment will follow at West Lawn Memorial Park. Relatives and friends may meet with the family from noon until service time. Memorials may be directed to the National Parkinson Foundation, PO Box 5018 Hagerstown, MD 21741-5018.

The family would like to thank Lakeshore Manor for their compassion and the understanding care that they have shown to Ruth.

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

William A. Baumann

William A. Baumann, age 78, passed away Tuesday, November 15, 2011, at Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital, Wauwatosa, WI. William was born in Racine on November 10, 1933, son of the late Roy and Hilda (Nee: Ludwig) Baumann.

William was employed by American Motors for thirty years of service. He was a member of the Local Union UAW. William was an avid bowler. More than anything, he cherished time spent with his family and will be deeply missed.

Survivors include his children, Debbie Commodore, Shelley Baumann, Tina (Steve) Kohel; mother of his children, Joan McLemore; his stepchildren, Katherine (Lonny) Allen, Joanne Finnigan, Charlene St. Martin; his grandchildren, Rachel (Joe) Hulsey, Dominic Commodore (Ashton Enright), Brandon Kohel (Ashley Arlington) Garrett Kohel; great-grandchildren, Angelica and Isabella, Leonardo; step-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many dear friends. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his second wife, Katherine; his son, Allen; three brothers, Russell, Howard and Jimmy; son- in-law, Mike St. Martin; and his best friend, Bill Cline.

A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, November 26, 2011, at 4 p.m. at the funeral home. Relatives and friends may meet with the family Saturday at the funeral home from 2 p.m. until time of service at 4 p.m.

A special thank you to his special buddy.

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

Don Wandler

With his family by his side, Don Wandler passed away peacefully at his home on Tuesday morning, November 15, 2011.

Don was a very private person in life, and remains so in death, requesting a short obituary and private funeral services.

During Don’s time here on earth, he touched the lives of many, and was loved by everyone who knew him, especially by his family. During Don’s life, he celebrated and cherished each new day, and hoped that everyone who is left behind would do the same.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to the American Cancer Society or the National Right to Life would be appreciated.

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

Charles N. Mattes

Charles N. Mattes passed away on Monday, November 14, 2011. He was born in Ottawa, Illinois, on April 1, 1916, the only child of Carl and Mary (nee: Lafferty) Mattes. On August 10, 1940, he was united in marriage to Lucille G. Ultsch at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Racine.

Chuck was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, the Holy Name Society (past president), and he served as secretary of the Ushers Club for more than fifty years. He sang in the Church funeral choir and was a member of the Knights of Columbus. In his early years at Sacred Heart, he was very active in parish festivals. With his wife, Lucille, he organized the Sacred Heart Cub Scout program and continued to be active as chairman of the Boy Scout Troop for many years.

A traffic manager at Hamilton Beach for fifteen years, he became an I.C.C Practitioner in 1952. He established and ran the Racine Traffic Bureau, a transportation audit and advisory service for twenty-five years. He taught Marketing and Business Administration at Gateway Technical College for seven years and retired in 1985. Chuck was a member of the Racine Traffic Club, the Racine Kenosha Transportation Club, and Delta Nu Alpha, a transportation fraternity. His hobbies were music and “lazy-fishing.”

Surviving are his children: a son and daughter-in-law, Timothy and Pamela Mattes of Racine; two daughters and sons-in-law, Kathleen and William Beyer of Racine, and Jane and Dennis Van De Hey of Ft. Atkinson; ten grandchildren: Kevin (Tracey) Mattes, Gregory (Katie) Mattes, Jeffrey (Karen) Mattes, Lisa (James) Hollow, Christine Cotter, Kimberly (Matthew) Klug, Angela (Michael) Olivero, Erin Van De Hey, Michael Van De Hey and Jacqueline Van De Hey; 16 great-grandchildren, 3 great-great-grandchildren; and many dear friends. In addition to his parents, his wife, Lucille, preceded him in death.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, November 21. 2011, at 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 2201 Northwestern Ave., with Rev. Ronald O. Crewe officiating, assisted by Deacon Russ Missureli. Relatives and friends may meet with the family at the church from 9 a.m. until 9:45 a.m.  Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, Highway 32.

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

Eleanor H. (Meredith) Collins

Apache Junction, AZ -- Surrounded by her loving family, Eleanor Hazel (nee: Meredith) Collins, 88, formerly of Racine, passed away at her winter residence on November 14, 2011.

Eleanor was born in Racine on September 11, 1923, to Thomas and Clara (nee: Maertz) Meredith. She was married to Edmond Collins on February 7, 1942, at Holy Innocents Church in Racine.

Eleanor was born to deaf parents and became very active with the deaf community in Racine and Kenosha, making it possible for the deaf to lead more productive and active lives. She taught ASL (American Sign Language) classes at Gateway Technical College for over 10 years, she worked as an interpreter for the State of Wisconsin for 12 years and for many years was the only interpreter in Racine and Kenosha. Eleanor was a member of the Racine/Kenosha Club of the Deaf; Wisconsin and National Associations of the Deaf; National RID (Registered Interpreters of the Deaf); a charter member of the Wisconsin chapter of the National RID; and Children of Deaf Adults (CODA). Eleanor edited the Racine/Kenosha Deaf Club newsletter and received several service awards, including the Golden Hands Award from the Wisconsin Association of the Deaf.

Survivors include her loving husband of 69 years, Edmond; daughters, Lynne (Don) Berg of Shorewood, WI, and Diane Stinehart of Houston, TX; grandchildren, Erica (Dan) Polly of Madison, WI, and Kristen (Ryan) Miller of Glendale, WI; great-grandchildren, Gabe and Kaylie Polly; brother, Tony (Linda) Meredith of Racine; sister-in-law, Geraldine (Allen) Hanson of Baileys Harbor, WI; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and last, but not least, her dear friends within the Kenosha-Racine Deaf community to whom she was so devoted.

In accordance with Eleanor's wishes, cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held in Racine next Spring. Memorials to the Racine-Kenosha Club of the Deaf, c/o David Otto, 1870 16th Ave, Kenosha, WI 53140 have been suggested.

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

Mark S. Brinkman

Mark S. Brinkman, age 37, passed away Sunday, November 13, 2011. Mark was born in Racine, February 5, 1974, son of Michael L. and Peggy A. (Nee: Doughty) Brinkman.

Mark was a graduate of William Horlick High School “Class of 1992.” After high school Mark enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, serving from 1992 until 1996. An avid car enthusiast, Mark loved old Mustangs and also enjoyed drawing and reading. He will be fondly remembered as a loving son, brother, and uncle who enlightened all who knew him with his wonderful sense of humor. Mark will be deeply missed.

Survivors include his parents, Mike and Peggy; his sisters and brother, Tracy (Chris) Boscher, Jenny (Tod) Herman, Susan (Dave) Kroes, and Michael J. Brinkman. Mark was a goofy, fun-loving uncle to his nephews and nieces, Ben and Amanda Kroes, Matt and Brenna Herman, Cooper Brinkman, Libby and Jack Boscher. He also leaves to cherish his memory many aunts, uncles, cousins, other relatives and dear friends. Mark was preceded by his grandparents, Jerome and Myrene Doughty, and Cal and Mildred Brinkman.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday, November 17, 2011, at 7 p.m. at St. John Nepomuk Catholic Church, 1903 Green St. Interment with full military honors will be held on Friday, at noon, at the Southern Wisconsin Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery, Town of Dover. Relatives and friends may meet with the family Thursday at the church from 5 p.m. until time of Mass at 7 p.m.

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

Robert H. Hoey

Franksville, WI -- Robert H. Hoey, 91, passed away Sunday, November 13, 2011. Robert was born in Racine on November 3, 1920, to the late George and Ivah (nee: Marcoe) Hoey.

In 1942, Robert joined the United States Marine Corps. He served as a Sergeant in the Pacific Threatre of Operations from November 1942 until July 1945. Robert was involved in some of WWII most epic battles, including: Tarawa, Saipan, Tinian and Okinawa. He was Honorably Discharged from the Second Marine Division, receiving the Purple Heart for wounds suffered during the battle for Saipan.

On May 24, 1947, in Milwaukee WI, he was united in marriage to Elizabeth (nee: Matusinec), who preceded him in death on August 31, 2011, after 64 years of marriage. Robert founded Shurpac Inc. in 1959. His business savvy and tireless work ethic remains the foundation of the company to this day.

Robert was a charter member of St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church. Robert loved to hunt pheasant, duck, goose and deer, last hunting as recently as a month ago. He also enjoyed fishing up at the family home, “Hoeyaluiah,” in Crandon, and often took trips to Canada with his son and grandsons. He had an immaculate yard, in which he’d take everyone for a tour to show them all of his new plantings. Robert was a true family man. He took great pride in each one of our lives and we will truly miss his loving and caring ways, his sense of humor and his countless stories.

Robert is survived by his children, Donna Hoey of Wauwatosa, Jeffrey (Eileen) Hoey, and Susan (Willard) Wenck, both of Racine; his grandchildren, Rebecca Hoey, Robert (Heidi) Hoey, both of Racine, Elizabeth (Richard) Kresen of Elkhorn, and Joseph (Dakota) Mandli of Lake Geneva; six great-grandchildren, Emma, Reagan, Richard, Kendall, Madigan and Josie; brother in law, Frank (Rose Mary) Matusinec of Milwaukee; as well as other family and many friends. He was preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth; parents; and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Joseph (Mildred) Matusinec.

A Mass of Christian Burial followed by full military honors will be celebrated Thursday, November 17, 2011, at 6 p.m. at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 6400 Spring St., with Rev. Terrance J. Huebner officiating. Private interment will be held at Holy Cross Cemetery, Hwy 32. Relatives and friends may meet with the family Thursday at the church from 4 p.m. until time of Mass at 6 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been suggested to St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church and St. Catherine's High School.

The family would like to extend a sincere thank you to friends Ray and Doc Olley, Gary Kolb, the  Heldings, Joe Schute and Kevin Pettit.

After 74 short days, Robert met Elizabeth “on the other side of the bridge.” They are once again happy together.

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