Eve B. LaBelle

Surrounded by her loving family, Eve B. LaBelle, age 92, passed away on Monday, September 15, 2014, at the Racine Hospice House.  Eve was born in Racine on February 3, 1922, daughter of the late Fredrick and Angeline (Nee: Delvicchio) LaBelle.

Eve graduated from William Horlick High School.  Eve enlisted in the United States 4th Air Force and “was proud to serve our country and be recognized as a soldier.”  She was employed by In-Sink-Erator for twenty-five years, retiring in 1988.

In her younger years Eve was a tutor to her sisters, Laura and Angie, and was also a contributor and good friend to the Racine Belles. Eve was a member of St. Edward Catholic Church.  Her pastimes included swimming, golfing, baseball and basketball.  She will be deeply missed.

Survivors include her sisters, Angeline and Irene; many loving nieces and nephews, other relatives and dear friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, September 22, 2014, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Edward Catholic Church, 1401 Grove Ave.  Relatives and friends may meet with the family Monday at the church from 9:30 a.m. until time of Mass at 10:30 a.m. Interment with Full Military Honors will be held at the Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Town of Dover.   Memorials to the Racine Hospice House or to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital have been suggested.

A special thank you to Dr. Michael Mullane and all her caregivers at the Racine Hospice House for their loving and compassionate care.  

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

Joe Ingrasci

Surrounded by his loving family, Joe Ingrasci, age 95, passed away on Sunday, September 14, 2014, at his daughter’s residence in Madison. Joe was born in Niagara Falls, NY, on March 25, 1919, son of the late Joseph and Mary (Nee: Bruno) Ingrasci.

Joe moved to Racine, Wisconsin, in 1924 and has been a part of the Racine Community for the remainder of his life.

Joe proudly served during World War II as a first lieutenant in the United States Army Infantry. In 1944 he was wounded in Germany and was awarded the Purple Heart. This past June 7th, he went on the Stars and Stripes Honor Flight and was the oldest World War II veteran on the flight.

On May 28, 1947, he was united in marriage to Esther G. Nelson, who preceded him in death on September 25, 1992.

Joe was employed by Western Publishing Co. as an accountant for 31 years, retiring with Esther to Sun City West, AZ, where they lived for 28 years. He was a former member of Meadowbrook Country Club and Roma Lodge. Joe was an avid golfer who was proud to have made six holes-in-one. His last round of golf was played just one month ago. He also enjoyed playing cribbage (he had a perfect hand of 29), playing poker, and reading.

More than anything, he treasured the time he spent with family. “Grandpa Joe,” as most people knew him, was a man who had a smile for everyone. He was a role model for us, displaying integrity, strength, independence and dignity. He will be dearly missed.

Survivors include his children, Susan (David) Cook of Racine, Ingrid (Josiah) Dilley of Madison, Charles (Liza) Ingrasci of San Anselmo, CA; grandchildren, Jennifer (Michael) Qualley, Stephen Cook, Christopher (Elaine) Rich, Rebecca (Jim) Norton, Marissa and Michael Ingrasci, Margret Cook; eight great-grandchildren, Hannah and Maxwell Cook, Katherine, Jackson and James Qualley, Jacqueline and Henry Rich, Josiah Norton; two sisters, Josephine Porcaro and Rose Malone; nieces, nephews, other relatives and dear friends.

In addition to his parents and wife he was preceded in death by his brothers, Charlie who was killed in WWII, Paul (Laura), and Tom (Marie); his sister, Mary (Paul) Tewagian; son-in-law, Josiah Dilley; brothers-in-law, Earl Porcaro and Don Malone.

A Memorial Service will be held at the funeral home on Saturday, September 20, 2014, at 11:30 a.m. with Judy Chiappetta officiating. Private entombment will be held at Holy Cross Mausoleum, Hwy 32. Relatives and friends may meet with the family Saturday from 10 a.m. until time of service. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Stars and Stripes Honor Flight P.O. Box 636 Port Washington, WI 53074 have been suggested. 

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

Carrol M. (Lechleitner) Litwin

Surrounded by her loving family, Carrol M. Litwin, age 71, passed away on Sunday, September 14, 2014, at her residence.   Carrol was born in Enumclaw, WA, on December 24, 1942, daughter of the late Steve and Isabelle (Nee: Lemburg) Lechleitner.

Following her high school graduation in 1960 in Gilman, WI, Carrol moved to Racine. She later met the love of her life, James Litwin, and on December 6, 1969, at St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Gilman, WI, they were united in marriage. She retired from Moxness Products after a twenty-year plus career in sales and customer service. She was a longtime member of St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church. Carrol was blessed with a lung transplant in 2005 after several years of difficult lung problems. More than life’s material possessions, Carrol loved and treasured her time spent with her family and friends. She will be deeply missed.

Survivors include her loving husband of forty-four years, James; her children, Scott (Rebecca (Nee: Hoy) Litwin and their children, Benjamin and Emma, Nicole (Alan) Deschler and their children, Cody and Caleb, all of Union Grove; brothers, Milford (Sonja) Lechleitner of Chippewa Falls, Clark (Judy) Lechleitner, Steve (Sandy) Lechleitner, all of Holcombe; sister, Marlene (Joe) Gallick of Chippewa Falls; brother-in-law, Jerry (Judy) Lebrick of Union Grove; nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many dear friends.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Marcia Lebrick; and brother, Bruce Lechleitner.

A Memorial Mass will be held on Friday, September 19, 2014, at 11 a.m. at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 6400 Spring St.  Relatives and friends may meet with the family Friday at the church from 10 a.m. until time of Mass at 11 a.m. Private interment will be held at the Southern Wisconsin Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery, Town of Dover.  Memorials to Wheaton Franciscan Pulmonary Rehabilitation have been suggested.

A very special thank you to Dr. Steven Johnson, Wheaton Franciscan Hospital, for all his dedicated care and support and to the Lung Transplant staff at the University of Wisconsin  Hospital Madison for all their assistance over the years.

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

Jane E. Gilmore (Murphy) Cisney

Jane Elizabeth Gilmore Cisney, age 99, passed away on Saturday, September 13, 2014, at Wheaton Franciscan All Saints Medical Center. Jane was born in Racine on June 16, 1915, daughter of the late George and Amanda (Nee:Bowmann) Murphy.

She graduated from Lincoln High School and Spencerian College in Manitowoc. Jane was employed by First Wisconsin Bank as a personal representative for many years, retiring from Firstar Bank.

Jane was a member of St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, The Catholic Women’s Club, Hoy Nature Club, Racine Literacy Council, the Quarry Rats, and a member and founding member of the Catholic Junior League. She served on the Board at St. Luke’s Hospital and served on the Johnsons Wax Retirees Board. Jane was also a volunteer for hospice. Above all she was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother who will be dearly missed.

Surviving are her children, James B. (JoAnn) Gilmore of Milwaukee. Ellen Studebaker of Racine; grandchildren, Laura (Ernest) Tanel, Steve (Mary) Gilmore, Cynthia (Eric) Windschanz, James Gilmore, Brian Studebaker, Jane (Timothy) Studebaker-Harlan, John (Kathryn) Studebaker, Catherine “Kate” Studebaker; sister, Patricia Foley of Racine; nieces, nephews other relatives and friends.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husbands, James F. Gilmore and Harland N. Cisney; and by her five brothers, Ned (Sylvia) Murphy, Patrick (Pat) Murphy, Robert (Estelle) Murphy, Richard (Ann) Murphy and George (Carolyn) Murphy.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 6400 Spring St., on Thursday, September 18, 2014, at 11 a.m. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery. Relatives and friends may meet at the church Thursday from 10 a.m. until time of Mass.

Maresh-Meredith and Acklam Funeral Home
803 Main St., Racine, WI    (262) 634-7888

Thomas J. Kohlmann

Thomas J. Kohlmann, age 83, passed away on Saturday, September 13, 2014.

Private services will be held at a later date.

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

Ralph L. Trower

Ralph L. Trower, age 85, passed away peacefully on Friday morning, September 12, 2014. Ralph was born in Kansas City, MO, on April 28, 1929, son of the late Ralph and Vera Trower and was a graduate of Missouri University.

Ralph was employed at the Racine Journal Times for thirty-seven years as a sportswriter, sports editor and columnist. He served four terms on the Racine County Board of Supervisors, was past president of the Kiwanis Club of Greater Racine and past president of Wisconsin Associated Press Sportswriters and Wisconsin Pro Football Writers.

Survivors include his wife, Joan; son, Paul (Sang Shen) Trower of San Diego, CA; daughter, Ann Trower (Ernie Urpila) of Racine; step-son, Todd (Erica) Phillips of Racine; grandchildren, David Niesen, Jacob Phillips, Eve Phillips, Kaylee (Tyler) Morhbacher; great-granddaughter, Mia; other relatives and friends.

Ralph was preceded in death by his first wife, Ruth (nee: Pazen), in 2000.

Memorial services will be held at the funeral home on Tuesday, September 16, 2014, at 11:30 a.m., with Rev. Samuel D. Jackson officiating. Private interment will be held at West Lawn Memorial Park. Relatives and friends may meet with the family at the funeral home on Tuesday from 10:30 a.m. until time of service. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Grace Church or the Racine Public Library have been suggested.

Maresh-Meredith and Acklam Funeral Home
803 Main St., Racine, WI     (262) 634-7888

Patricia A. (Pyne) Stoneburner

Patricia A. Stoneburner, age 84, passed away on Wednesday, September 10, 2014.  She was born in Chicago, IL, on June 6, 1930, to Richard L. and Katherine A. (Nee:  Kane) Pyne.

She retired from the Racine Post Office in 1986. She was President of the American Postal Workers Union, Racine, and Secretary of the Racine County AFL-CIO, serving in both positions for several years.

Pat is survived by her children, Colleen Stoneburner of Racine, Patrick Monette-Shaw of San Francisco, CA, Carol Stoneburner of Santa Cruz, CA; granddaughters, Christine, Marcella, and Sarah; great-grandchildren, Joshua, Brooke, Ephram and Charlotte; great-great-grandson, London; other relatives and many dear friends.

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by an infant brother, Daniel; infant daughter, Patricia; daughter, Linda; great- granddaughter, Caprice; and son-in-law, Carl.

A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, September 19, 2014, at noon at the funeral home. Relatives and friends may meet with the family Friday at the funeral home from 11 a.m. until time of service at noon. Memorials to the Racine Public Library have been suggested.

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