Steve D. Azarian

Steve D. Azarian, 50, of Racine, sadly passed away on June 9, 2012, after putting up a courageous fight against brain cancer.  Born April 14, 1962, in Racine, he was the son of the late Sam and Louise Azarian.  He was a lifelong resident of Racine County.

Steve was known as a free spirit who enjoyed his life to its fullest.  Steve relished the time he spent with family and friends, and most of all, the time he got to spend with his son, Ian.

Along with his son , Steve is survived by his brothers, Harry, Sam (Lori), and Rick (Gretchen); sister-in-law, Vannette; adopted brother and sister, Brett Larson and Heather Tumianiec; aunts, Betsy Anderson, Esther Paul, Eleanor Spinsky and Lois Redmond; many nieces, nephews, cousins and special friends.  Steve was preceded in death by his brother, Tony; grandparents; and many aunts and uncles.

In keeping with Steve’s wishes, there will be a private funeral service for family.   A gathering for all will be held Thursday, June 14, 2012, at 6 p.m. at John’s Dock, 303 Dodge St., Racine. Please join Steve’s family in paying tribute to and celebrating his life.  Memorials to the family for a college fund to be established in Ian’s name have been suggested.

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

Frank Hohenberger

Frank Hohenberger, 88, passed away on Friday, June 8, 2012, at Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare-All Saints.

Frank was born in Racine on November 23, 1923, to the late Frank Sr.  and Hermine (nee: Lokszewsky) Hohenberger. On September 13, 1952, he was united in marriage to Lucille (nee: Olsen). Frank proudly served his country as a Military Police officer. After his service, he had been employed by Jacobsen Manufacturing before his retirement in 1985.

Frank was an avid fisherman. He loved to tinker and could build, fix and repair almost everything. He also loved model trains, designing and building his own village in the basement.

Frank will be dearly missed by his wife of nearly 60 years, Lucille; daughters, Janis (John) Brettschneider, Kathy (Jeff) Koessl and Mary (Ken) Morgenson; grandchildren, Mike and Christine Koessl, Steven Brettschneider, Erin and Kenny Morgenson ; a sister, Pauline (Al) Haglund; as well as nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Adele (John) Smolko.

Funeral services in honor of Frank will be held at St. Lucy Catholic Church, 3101 Drexel Ave., on Friday, June 15, 2012, at 10 a.m. with Rev. Sean Granger officiating. Interment will be at West Lawn Memorial Park. Relatives and friends may meet with the family at the Funeral Home on Thursday, June 14, 2012, from 5 to 7:30 p.m., with a prayer service at 7:30 p.m. Visitation will also continue at St. Lucy Catholic Church on Friday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service.

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

Jocelyn M. Flashinski

Jocelyn Marie Flashinski, age 32, beloved daughter, sister, aunt, niece and friend, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, June 8, 2012. Jocelyn was born on October 28, 1979, the daughter of Stan and Linda Flashinski of Racine.

Jocelyn was a sweet, smart and beautiful young woman who everyone knew by her happy smile, her big eyes and her warm heart. Jocelyn received her B.S. degree in Psychology from UW-Milwaukee, and has worked for over ten years as a therapist for children with autism spectrum disorder. She worked first with ABN, the Autism Behavioral Network, and most recently with ABA, Applied Behavior Analysts. She cherished her clients and worked with dedication to help them succeed. Jocelyn’s favorite pastimes were reading, seeing her friends and taking care of her new home. Life will never be the same for those of us who knew and loved her.

In addition to her parents, Jocelyn is survived by her sister, Rachel (Peter) Weir; her brother,Todd, and her brother, Jeff (Amy); her nieces and nephews, Ella, Oscar, Jack and Ruby; her aunts and uncles, David Peerenboom, Sue (Dave) Dearth, Carol (the late Don) Peerenboom, Arthur (Judy) Flashinski, Caroline (Roger) Decker, Lou (Elisa) Flashinski, RoseAnn (Mark) Wherry, Peter (Bonnie) Flashinski, and Roger (Harriet) Flashinski; numerous cousins; and her dear friends Nicole Riedel, Emily Branda, and many others. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Bruce and Charlotte Peerenboom and Peter and Agnes Flashinski.

Funeral services for Jocelyn will be held at the funeral home on Thursday, June 14, 2012, at 6 p.m. with the Rev. Tony Larsen officiating. Visitation will be Thursday at the funeral home from 4 p.m. until time of service at 6 p.m. Private interment will be held at West Lawn Memorial Park. Memorial donations may be made to Olympia Brown Church or to the Jocelyn Flashinski Autism Memorial Fund to be used for the education of those with autism spectrum disorder.

“Let us keep her memory, and in your life let remembrance linger, not as a ghost that haunts you, but as something precious to remember always.” – Jane Patricia McCarthy, 1938, Jocelyn’s great-great-great aunt 

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

Linda J. Stoneburner

Linda Joan Stoneburner, age 61, passed away unexpectedly Thursday, June 7, 2012, at her residence. She was born in Moline, IL, on June 20, 1950, daughter of Edwin and Patricia (Nee: Pyne) Stoneburner. Linda had been a Racine resident since the age of 10.

She was a longtime member of Racine Assembly of God. She enjoyed reading, puzzles, knitting, baking and driving. She will be dearly missed.

Surviving are her mother, Patricia Stoneburner; daughters, Marcella (Hort) Robbins and Sarah and Tiffany Kisley; grandson, Ephram John Kisley; siblings, Colleen, Sean Patrick Monett-Shaw (Carl), and Carol; niece, Chris; great-niece and great-nephew, Brooke and Josh; other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her father, Edwin Stoneburner; infant sister, Patricia Michelle; and her granddaughter, Caprice May Hort.

Visitation will be held at the funeral home, Wednesday, June 13, 2012, from 5 p.m. until 6 p.m. followed by a time of remembering at 6 p.m.. Private interment will be held at West Lawn Memorial Park.

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

Frank 'Frankie' Ostroski

Frank Ostroski, age 92, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 6, 2012, at Wheaton Franciscan-All Saints Medical Center. Frank was born December 1, 1919, son of the late Joseph and Mary (Nee: Novach) Ostroski.

Frank enjoyed singing, coloring, spending time outdoors, and spending time with his friends and staff at New Beginnings Group Home. Frank brought a smile to everyone who knew him.

Survivors include his niece, Bonnie Ostroski; great-nieces and nephews, Tammie Ostroski, Richard and Sherri (Ostroski) Tavolieri, and Joel and Renee Ostroski; great-grandnieces and nephews Sydney, Marissa and Hunter Tavolieri and Ryan and Danielle Ostroski. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings, John, Francese, Virginia, Julia,William; sister-in-law Rose Mary (Anzalone) Ostroski; and nephew, Joseph Ostroski.

A Memorial Service celebrating Frankie’s life will be held at a later date.

The family and guardian wish to extend a special thank you to the staff at New Beginnings Group Home for their care and love of Frankie.

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

Walter A. Braatz

Walter A. Braatz, 92, passed away on Wednesday, June 6, 2012, at Harmony Assisted Living of Racine.

Walter was born in Tigerton, WI, to the late August and Emma (nee: Magadanz) Braatz on December 12, 1919. He was united in marriage to Evelyn (nee: Petak) on May 29, 1948, at Grace Lutheran Church in Racine.

Walter had been a longtime farmer at Braatz Acres and also a shop worker for Hamilton Beach for 26 years until his retirement in 1968. Wally was a longtime member of Grace Lutheran Church. He was an avid hunter, fisherman and farmer, and was a long-time vendor at 7 Mile Fair and various farmer’s markets. He also belonged to the Racine/Kenosha Beekeepers.

He will be dearly missed by his wife, Evie; sisters, Martha Schaub and Dorcas Hammer; brother-in-law, Bob Petak; and sisters-in-law Elaine (Irv) Bullette and Fritzie Braatz; as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends, especially Barbara and George Godlewski and Gary Buchholz.

Wally was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, John and Irv; sister, Irene; brothers-in-law, Frank Hammer, Larry (Bessie) Petak, and Bernie Schaub; and sisters-in-law, Ginny Petak and Marcia Fuller.

Funeral services in honor of Wally will be held at Wilson Funeral Home on Saturday, June 9, 2012, at 2 p.m. with Rev. Randal Poppe and Rev. Thomas Chryst officiating. Relatives and friends may meet with the family on Saturday from 1 p.m. until the time of service. Private interment will be at West Lawn Memorial Park. Memorials may be directed to Grace Lutheran Church.

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

Mary Ellen (Venne) Johnson

Mary Ellen Johnson, age 90, passed away Tuesday, June 5, 2012, at the Becker Shoop Center. Mary Ellen was born in Racine, May 30, 1922, daughter of the late Edward C. and Cecilia C. (Nee: Plunkett) Venne.

On June 24, 1944, at St. John Nepomuk Catholic Church she was united in marriage to Robert M. Johnson; they shared sixty-seven wonderful years together. Bob was Mary Ellen’s dedicated caregiver until he preceded her in death, September 1, 2011. She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. In her earlier years she was employed by Green Meadows Ice Cream Shop. Mary Ellen enjoyed camping and traveling and, above all , spending time with her family. She lived with Alzheimer’s disease for many years. Her fabulous smile will be remembered by all who knew her.

Surviving are her children, Cecilia (Ray) Johnson, Catherine (James) Stanek, Edward (Pat Duffy) Johnson, Robert II (Locki) Johnson; nine grandchildren, Ellen (Rob) Busch, Karen (John) Patterson, Brian Johnson, Bradley (Kristi) Johnson, Terese (Mark) Pearson, Anne Johnson, Nicholas Johnson, Catherine Johnson, Michael (Thea) Johnson; five great-grandchildren, Elizabeth, Caroline and Emily Busch, Aidan, and Morgan Patterson, and baby boy Johnson due June 15; sisters, Mary Escarcega, Toni (Ray) Bertelson, Carol (Paul) Herrenbruck; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Janys Venne, Sid Brooks, James Ewert, Jean Ketarkus and Margaret Johnson; nieces, nephews other relatives and many dear friends. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her brother, Raymond Venne; sisters, Lorraine Brooks and Rita Ewert; and brothers-in-law, Joseph Ketarkus and Daniel Johnson.

A Memorial Mass will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1533 Erie St., Monday June 11, 2012, at 11 a.m. Relatives and friends are welcome to join the family in a celebration of her life at the church from 10 a.m. until time of Mass. Interment will follow at Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Town of Dover. Memorials to Alzheimer’s Association have been suggested by the family.

The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the many individuals and organizations who provided excellent care for Mary Ellen over many years.

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