Catherine (Hajinia) Mikaelian

Surrounded by her loving family, Catherine Mikaelian, age 89, passed away Sunday, December 9, 2012, at Wheaton Franciscan-All Saints Medical Center. Catherine was born in South Milwaukee on June 4, 1923, daughter of the late Sarkis and Tamam Hajinian.

On January 15, 1955, at St. Mesrob Armenian Apostolic Church she was united in marriage to Kay Mikaelian. Catherine was a longtime active and dedicated member of St. Mesrob Armenian Apostolic Church and belonged to the Women’s Guild and, for many years, sang in the Choir and taught Sunday School. Catherine retired from Walker Manufacturing Company. She will be fondly remembered as an excellent cook who devoted and cherished times with her family and friends. She will be deeply missed.

Survivors include her loving husband, Kay; her children, Leslie (Don) Nelson, Brian (Marisa) Mikaelian; her grandchildren, Trenton and Melina Nelson, Thaddeus and Simone Mikaelian; sister, Mary Chobanian; brother, Garbo (Darla) Hajinian; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Lucy Hajinian, Andrew (Marcella) Mikaelian, Alice Mikaelian, Sam Mikaelian; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and dear friends. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Nazar Hajinian; and brothers-in-law, Hachig Chobanian and Tod Mikaelian.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, December 13, 2012, at 10 a.m. at St. Mesrob Armenian Apostolic Church, 4605 Erie St., with Rev. Yeprem Kelegian officiating. Interment will follow at the Southern Wisconsin Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery, Town of Dover. Relatives and friends may meet with the family Thursday at the church from 9 a.m. until time of service at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials to St. Mesrob Armenian Apostolic Church have been suggested.

A special thank you to St. Monica’s staff for their loving and compassionate care.

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

Thomas S. Schmitt

Thomas S. Schmitt, age 90, passed away Sunday, December 9, 2012, at Wheaton Franciscan-All Saints Medical Center.  Thomas was born in Minneapolis, MN, on August 5, 1922, son of the late Sylvester and Mary (Nee:  McCabe) Schmitt.

Thomas married the former Josephine F. Pekar on May 22, 1948, in Cudahy.  They moved to the Racine area in 1950.  He served in the United States Army Air Corps from 1942-1945 and 1947-1950, stationed in Italy and Africa, finishing at Bolling Air Force Base in Washington, D.C.  Thomas and his wife owned and operated Schmitt Music for twenty-two years before retiring in September of 1988.  His prior employment was at Johnson’s Music from 1950-1966.  His hobby was music – he repaired instruments, played instruments and enjoyed listening to music.  Above all, he was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather who will be dearly missed.

Survivors include his loving wife of sixty-four years, Josephine; his children, Mary (Charles) Lueke, Barbara (Peter) Hickey, JoAnne (Daniel) Wright, Jane (David) Nielsen, Robert (Calli) Schmitt, Thomas (Lena) Schmitt, all of Racine; his daughter-in-law, Dr. Denise Janosik of St. Louis; his grandchildren, Paul Lueke, Tiana and Marina Schmitt, Lisa Wright (Jeff Baker), Jennifer (Tom) Cramsie, Michelle Wright, Brian, Lauren and Greg Nielsen, Sam Schmitt, Lauren, Sarah and Lindsey Graf; his great-grandchildren, Athene Meekma, Maddie Duchac; brother, Patrick (Shirley) Schmitt of Cudahy; sister, Mary (John) Gargulak of Cudahy; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many dear friends.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, John Schmitt; grandson, Scott Schmitt; and brothers, James, John, Jerry and Bill.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, December 14, 2012, at 11 a.m. at the funeral home.  Entombment with Full Military Honors will follow at Graceland Cemetery.  Relatives and friends may meet with the family Friday at the funeral home from 9:30 a.m. until time of service at 11 a.m.  Memorials to one’s favorite charity have been suggested.

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

Lyle J. Gottfredsen

Lyle J. Gottfredsen, age 54, passed away Sunday, December 9, 2012, at Wheaton Franciscan –All Saints Medical Center.  Lyle was born in Racine on December 23, 1957, son of the late John A. and Joan R. (Nee:  Wilhelmi) Gottfredsen.  He was last employed by Wisconsin Metals Company.

Survivors include his son, Kenneth Gottfredsen (Rhonda Dixon); his grandchildren, Ashley and Tyler; brothers and sister, Lee (Gayle) Gottfredsen, Thomas (Judith) Gottfredsen, Paula (Joe) DeCheck; nieces, nephews, other relatives and dear friends.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Katie; other relatives and dear friends.

Relatives and friends are welcome to meet with the family for a committal service on Monday, December 17, 2012, at 10 a.m. at Holy Cross Garden Mausoleum, Hwy 32.  Memorials for an education fund to be established for his grandchildren have been suggested.

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

Carlos Juan Santiago Sr.

Carlos J. Santiago Sr., age 48, passed away Sunday, December 9, 2012, at Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital, Wauwatosa.  Carlos was born in Puerto Rico on October 3, 1964, son of Atilano and Elba (Nee:  Rivera) Santiago who survive him.

Also surviving are his children, Roscely Santiago and Carlos Santiago Jr.; sisters and brothers, Wanda Santiago, Iris Santiago, Janet (Jason) Bonet, Jeremias (Lus) Santiago, Atilano (Waleska) Santiago III; other relatives and friends.  He was preceded in death by his brother, Pablo.

Funeral services will be held at the funeral home on Thursday December 13, 2012, at 7 p.m.  Relatives and friends may meet at the funeral home Thursday from 5 p.m. until time of service at 7 p.m.  Interment will be held at Graceland Cemetery.

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

Marshall Egan

Marshall Egan, 76, of Racine, passed on peacefully and in the presence of many loved ones on Saturday, December 8, 2012, at Wheaton Franciscan All Saints Hospital. Marshall was born in Racine, Wisconsin, on March 13, 1936, to Frank and Mary (nee Gray) Egan. He first met his wife, Heather (nee Black) Egan, when they were both 4 years old. They graduated from Washington Park High School (Class of 1954) and were married for 56 years.

Marshall coached many years for the YWCA Girls’ Swim Team, Mt. Pleasant Boys’ Softball and Racine Youth Boys’ Basketball teams. Marshall was a past YMCA Camp Anokijig Board Member and a past member of the Racine Chapter of Rotary International. Additionally, he served Holy Communion Lutheran Church as a Church Council Member and as Sunday School Superintendent. He also enjoyed the Church Couples’ Bowling League.  Marshall was employed by Western Publishing Company, Foundry Allied, Pottinger Steel and Lake Shore Steel (Chicago) primarily as a sales manager.

Marshall loved and was proud of his family members. He is survived by his wife, Heather, and their five children, April Egan and husband, Kevin Lawless, of Edina, Minnesota; Holly Egan and husband, Jamie Hazelton, of Corte Madera, California; Anne Black of Alexandria, Virginia; Toby Egan and his wife, Angela Bies, of Indianapolis, Indiana; and Tad Egan, and his wife, Laura Egan, of Racine. Marshall also had a special place in his heart for their five grandchildren: Emma and Cassia Egan-Lawless, Christopher Black, Aniela “Ella” Egan, and Nicole Pope. His parents preceded Marshall in death.

A steadfast Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bears, and UW-Badger sports fan, Marshall also enjoyed time with family at Gilbert Lake in Wild Rose, Wisconsin. Marshall loved caring for his many pets over the years and leaves behind his cat, Henry.

During his lifetime in Racine, Marshall was a caring community member, neighbor and friend, who lent his open mind, helping hands and loving heart.

A special thanks to the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics -- including Dr. Charles Acher, Mary Randel, Dr. Gregory Gauthier, Connie Hacker, Dr. Amish Raval, and their staffs for all they did for Marshall over the past 13 years. Marshall’s life was extended due to their loving, thoughtful, and professional care.

 A private celebration of Marshall’s life will be held in 2013.

In honor of Marshall, a scholarship fund has been established at Educators Credit Union.  Monetary donations may be sent to The Marshall Egan Scholarship Fund, 4418 Garden Drive, Racine, WI 53403.  The purpose of the fund is to support the needs of 1st generation college students – not to include Egan family members.

You will be missed, Marshall!

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

Alice M. (Nehrbass) Brill

Plymouth, MN – Alice M. Brill, age 98, passed away peacefully Saturday, December 8, 2012, in Plymouth, Minnesota. Alice was born in Athens, WI, on April 24, 1914, daughter of the late Fred and Helen (Nee:  Thurman) Nehrbass.

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Henry C Brill; two sisters, one brother, and one grandson.    She is survived by her children, Joyce (Anthony) DeMatthew and Henry F. (Paula) Brill; seven grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren, one sister, one brother, nieces, nephews, other relatives and dear friends.

Alice will be missed by all and will be remembered for her wonderful meals. She worked as a cook for Wells Brothers restaurant and cook and housekeeper for Father Richard Molter for many years.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, December 15, 2012,  at 10:30 a.m. at St. Edward Catholic Church, 1430 Grove Ave., with Rev. Richard J. Molter officiating.  Entombment will follow at Holy Cross Garden Mausoleum, Hwy 32.  Relatives and friends may meet with the family on Saturday at the church from 9:30 a.m. until time of Mass at 10:30 a.m.   In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Edwards School, or St. Catherine's High School.

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

Barbara L. (Schwabe) Pruessing

Barbara L. Pruessing, age 55, passed away early Friday morning, December 7, 2012, at Froedtert Lutheran Memorial Hospital. Barbara was born in Fort Atkinson, WI, on December 10, 1956, daughter of Richard and Isla (nee: Austreng) Schwabe.

Barb graduated from UW-Whitewater with a degree in Education and earned her Master's in Education recently from National Louis University. She was employed with Racine Unified teaching math and science the last fourteen years at Starbuck Middle School, and previously at Fratt and Gilmore.

On May 15, 1993, she was united in marriage to Paul M. Pruessing and they shared nineteen wonderful years together. Barb was active and had many extensive travels through her association as a leader with the People to People Student Ambassador program. She was also past President and Queen of the Racine Soap Box Derby, and also helped at the national level.

Barb was a member of Mt. Pleasant Lutheran Church. In her spare time, she enjoyed shopping, gardening, and her Coca Cola collection. Above all she loved her time spent with her family, especially with her grandchildren, and her canine buddy Tehya. She will be greatly missed.

Survivors include her loving husband, Paul; her children, Lindsay (Jesse) Liss of Delavan, Frank "Tony" Boggs (Jessica Dickson) of Mobile, AL; grandchildren, Collin, Ian and Harley; parents, Richard Schwabe, Isla Schwabe; brothers, Michael Schwabe, Larry (Shirley) Schwabe, David (Vickie) Schwabe, Melvin Schwabe; sisters, Gerri (Larry) Sontag, Marie Wiegand (Gary) Martynink; sister-in-law, Rev. Pamela Kerschner; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Funeral services celebrating Barbara's fifty-six years will be held at Mt. Pleasant Lutheran Church, 1700 S. Green Bay Rd., on her birthday, Monday, December 10, 2012, at 6 p.m., with Rev. Kara Baylor officiating. Relatives and friends may meet with the family at the church Monday from 3 p.m. until time of service at 6  p.m. Memorials to the family for a scholastic fund to be established in Barbara's name have been suggested.

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