LaVertia E. (Mikesell) Gaetz

LaVertia E. Gaetz, age 94, passed away Saturday, March 13, 2010, at Wheaton-Franciscan All Saints Medical Center. LaVertia was born in Council Bluffs, IA, on February 7, 1916, daughter of the late Roland “Raleigh” and Hilma R. (Nee: Peterson) Mikesell.

On March 2, 1946, at Rock Island, IL, she was united in marriage to Howard E. Gaetz who preceded her in death, August 7, 1957. She was employed with General Motors in LaGrange, IL, for many years as manager of employee benefits in their Electro-Motive Division. LaVertia was a member of First Congregational Church of LaGrange, the Eastern Star, General Motors 25 Year Club and Retirement Club.

She was a loving mother to Pamela (John P.) R. Pelej of Racine; an exceptional Nana to Justin C. (Paula) Pelej of Chicago, IL, and Jennifer N. Pelej (fiancé, Tim Jacoby) of Big Fork, MT; dear sister-in-law to Lucille Mikesell of Cedar Rapids, IA; special aunt to Lillie Mikesell of New York City, NY; other relatives and many dear friends. In addition to her parents and husband she was preceded in death by her brothers, John and LaVert Mikesell; and her nephew, John David Mikesell.

Funeral services will be held at the funeral home on Friday, March 19, 2010, at 6 p.m. with Rev. Rich Wolf of First Congregational Church of LaGrange officiating. Interment will be held at Walnut Hill Cemetery, Council Bluffs, IA. Relatives and friends may meet with the family at the funeral home on Friday from 4 p.m. until time of service at 6 p.m. Memorials to the American Cancer Society, Susan G. Komen Foundation, or the Wheaton-Franciscan Cancer Center have been suggested.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the entire staff at Lincoln Village Convalescent Center, the nurses at Wheaton-Franciscan All Saints 2B, Dr. Richard Odders, Dr. Robert Gullberg, and the staff at Wheaton-Franciscan Cancer Center for their loving and compassionate care.

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

John G. Brinkman

John G. Brinkman, age 84, passed away Saturday, March 13, 2010, at Harmony Commons. John was born in Milwaukee, WI, on September 3, 1925, son of the late John H. and Agnes (Nee: Plautz) Brinkman.

During World War II he served in the United States Army in France as a member of the 13th Armored Division Black Cats. On November 11, 1956, he was united in marriage to Rita Irene Gavahan. John worked in construction most of his adult life. He was a B.T.O. and member of Operating Engineers Local 139. He believed in hypnotism, meditation and the power of the mind and was a member of American Society of Dowsing. He was a Dr. Who and Star Trek fan. He like anything Science Fiction. Above all was devoted to his family and will be deeply missed.

Survivors include his loving wife of 53 years, Rita; his children, Patricia (Stanley) Morris of Racine, Thomas (Theresa) Brinkman of Racine, Frances Brinkman of St. Paul, MN, Frederic (Ruby) Brinkman of Roundrock, TX, Karen (Daniel) Hochstein of Austin, TX, Bernadine Brinkman (Nestor Zavala) of Green Bay, WI, Charles (Susan) Brinkman of Green Bay, WI, Janet Brinkman of Silver Lake, WI, Diane (Steve) Minnich of College Straton, TX; 19 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren; brother, Robert (Constance) Brinkman of Mukwonago, WI; sister, Marilyn Laney of Milwaukee, WI; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many dear friends. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his brother, Alan (Pearl) Brinkman; and sister, Carol “Sookie” Bleichner.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, March 18, 2010, at 11:30 a.m. at the funeral home with Rev. David Baugher officiating. Entombment with full military honors will follow at Holy Cross Garden Mausoleum, Hwy 32. Relatives and friends may meet with the family Thursday at the funeral home from 10:30 a.m. until time of service at 11:30 a.m.

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

Loren L. 'Larry' Heather

Loren L. “Larry” Heather, 62, passed away surrounded by his family at his residence on Saturday, March 13, 2010.

Larry was born in Racine on December 5, 1947, to Andrew and Margaret (nee: Jacoby) Heather. He served in the United States Naval Reserves from 1965 until 1968. Larry married Joanne Sowinski in Racine on October11, 1969. He was employed at Case Company in many different occupations until his retirement in 2000. Larry liked camping, fishing, hunting and working in the yard. He loved listening to all kinds of music. He was a very social man who enjoyed spending time with family and friends including his dogs.

He is survived by his wife, Joanne Heather; children, Daniel (Amanda) Heather, Christopher Heather and Nicole (James) Acker; grandchildren, Megan Heather, Elizabeth Heather, Joshua and Lillith Acker; great-grandson, Aiden Heather; and brother, James (Judy) Heather. Larry is also survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral services for Larry will be held at the funeral home on Thursday, March 18, 2010, at 11 a.m. Interment will follow in Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery. Relatives and friends may meet with the family at the funeral home on Thursday morning from 9 a.m. until the time of services. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Make a Wish Foundation, Froedtert Hospital or Cancer Research of your choosing have been suggested.

The family would like to thank the staff at Wheaton Franciscan Hospice and Froedtert Hospital, especially the Cancer Center, for the excellent care and compassion given to Loren during his illness.

Purath-Strand Funeral Home & Crematory
3915 Douglas Ave., Racine (262) 639-8000

Jovani Emmanuel Martinez

Jovani Emmanuel Martinez, 2, passed away unexpectedly on Friday March 12, 2010. The Martinez and Collins families are saying their goodbyes with sadness and pain to Jovani who was with us from February 22, 2008, to March 12, 2010.

He leaves behind his parents, Octavio and Lawanda; along with two sisters and one brother. Jovani is gone but will always live in our hearts.

Funeral services for Jovani will be held at Sturino Funeral Home on Friday, March 19, 2010, with Rev. Jhon Freddy of Emmaus Lutheran Church officiating. Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Friday from 8:30 a.m. until service time at 10 a.m. Jovani will be laid to rest at Graceland Cemetery.

Sturino Funeral Home
3014 Northwestern Ave., Racine 262 632-4479

George Arthur Jorgenson

George A. Jorgenson, 87, went home to be with his beloved Lord on Friday, March 12, 2010.

George Arthur was born in Racine to the late Gerhardt and Dagny (nee: Amundson) Jorgenson. He lived in Racine his whole life. In Racine, he was united in marriage to Margaret Pedersen on April 9, 1949, who preceded him in death on March 17, 2005.

Mr. Jorgenson was an active, faithful and life-long member of Calvary Memorial Church. He served in the United States Army during World War II. Mr. Jorgenson was employed by Western Publishing for 42 years. He enjoyed photography and loved to help people. Most of all he loved to be with his family and friends.

George will be dearly missed by his children, Carolyn (Charles) Pelky and Jeffrey (Susan) Jorgenson; four grandchildren, Julie and Joe Pelky and Trevor and Kevin Jorgenson; his special friend and companion, Beth Mueller; one sister-in-law, Carol Jorgenson; other relatives and many friends. He was also preceded in death by his brother, Richard Jorgenson.

Funeral services will be held at the Wilson Funeral Home on Wednesday, March 17, 2010, at 11 a.m. with Rev. Nathan Joy James officiating. Interment will be held at West Lawn Memorial Park. Relatives and friends may meet with the family from 9 a.m. until the time of service.

Please do not send flowers due to family health conditions. Memorials in lieu of flowers may be directed to Calvary Memorial Church.

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

Dorine M. Justman

Dorine M. Justman, age 84, passed away Friday, March 12, 2010, at Wheaton Franciscan All Saints Medical Center. She was born in New York on March 30, 1925, daughter of the late Arthur and Myrtle (Nee: Larson) LeRoux.

Dorine was employed by the Canteen Pharmacy for 25 years. She was a member of St. Lucy Catholic Church. Above all she cherished time spent with her family and will be sadly missed.

Surviving are her daughters, Sandy Dykstra and Jackie Mihelich,; daughter-in-law, Terri Justman; six grandchildren: Chuck (Lori) Dykstra, Steve (Kristen) Dykstra, Jennifer (Brandon) Molina, Jason Mihelich, Sarah Gonzales, Jimmy (Justine) Justman; 11 great-grandchildren, Bryce, Kaylee, Payton, Jack, Lily, Ben, Paul, Haley, Jason, Jordan and Jayden; sisters-in-law, Audrey LeRoux and Kathie LeRoux. In addition to her parents, Dorine was preceded in death by her son, James Justman; and two brothers, Lloyd and Cliff LeRoux.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, March 16, 2010, at 6 p.m. at the funeral home with Rev. Mark Jones officiating. Private interment will be held at West Lawn Memorial Park. Relatives and friends are welcome to meet with the family on Tuesday, at 4 p.m. until time of service at the funeral home.

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

Dorothy Ann Clausen

Dorothy Ann Clausen, 75, passed away at Highway Home Graceful Aging, on Friday, March 12, 2010.

Dorothy was born in Springfield, MA, on July 19, 1934, to Frank and Doloris (nee, Gallerani) Regis. She married Richard M. Clausen in Agawam, MA, on January 12, 1963. Dorothy was a compassionate caregiver working as a CNA. She was an avid reader and enjoyed doing crossword puzzles and knitting. Dorothy also enjoyed Broadway musicals. Dorothy was an animal lover. She loved anything with the ocean especially the whales.

Dorothy is survived by her husband, Richard Clausen; children, Lori (Bill Brochu) Pratte, Donna (Dennis) Walker, Mary Ellen (Jeff) Seeger, James Clausen and Jon (Cathy) Clausen; grandchildren, Skyler and Connor Walker, Nicole Seeger and Shawna and Megan Clausen; and sister, Donna (Robert) Regis-McGee. She is also survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

A Memorial Mass for Dorothy will be held at St. Rita Catholic Church on Friday, March 19, 2010, at 5:30 p.m. with Rev. Joseph Stobba, O.S.A officiating. Private family inurnment will take place. Relatives and friends may meet with the family at the church on Friday from 4:30 p.m. until the time of Mass. Memorials to Countryside Humane Society have been suggested.

Dorothy’s family would like to extend a sincere thank you to everyone who cared for her in her last days.

Purath-Strand Funeral Home & Crematory
3915 Douglas Ave., Racine (262) 639-8000