Daisy E. Bonfiglio

Daisy Elizabeth Bonfiglio, age 91, passed away Wednesday, April 4, 2012, at Wheaton Franciscan All Saints Medical Center. She was born in Niagara Falls, NY, on September 13, 1920, daughter of the late Ernesto and Jenny (Nee: Bruno) Nilo.

Daisy was a graduate of Wm. Horlick High School, “Class of 1938.” She was employed by the Racine Public Library for 26 years and most people would know her from the Bookmobile. She was a member of St. Richard’s Catholic Church and Vittoria Colonna. Daisy was a voracious reader and also enjoyed opera and politics. She will be dearly missed.

Daisy is survived by her son, Tony, of Racine; cousins, relatives and friends. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Anthony, in 1967; her son, Joe, in 1960; and three brothers, Ernie, Rudy and Joe.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday, April 12, 2012, at 10 a.m. St. Richard’s Catholic Church, 1503 Grand Ave., with Rev. Ronald Gramza officiating. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, Hwy. 32. Relatives and friends may meet with family at the funeral home on Wednesday from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. (Vittoria Colonna Service at 6:30 p.m.) and on Thursday at the church from 9:30 until time of Mass. Memorials to the Racine Public Library have been suggested.

A very special thank you to Daisy’s Angels, Jo Porcaro and Marge Nilo, for their loving and compassionate care.

“Read a Book or Read a Book to a child. That would make Daisy SMILE!”

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

Ronald R. Garski

Ronald Russell Garski, age 77, passed away Tuesday, April 3, 2012, at Wheaton Franciscan All Saints Medical Center. He was born in Racine, December 29, 1934, son of the late Cyril and Rose (Nee: Friedel) Garski.

Ron graduated from St. Catherine’s High School, “Class of 1952.” He proudly served in the US Navy. On September 13, 1958, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Burlington he was united in marriage to Carol A. Boschert, who preceded him in death on November 8, 1979.

Ron was employed by In-Sink-Erator for many years and retired from Getty’s Mfg. in 1982. In his retirement he moved to Woodruff, WI, where he owned and operated the “Little Muskie Bar” and also worked at Lakeland Rental. Ron loved sports and was a Chicago Bears Fan. He also loved the outdoors and was an avid fisherman. He will be dearly missed.

Surviving are his children, James Garski and fiancée Yozette Muller of Oak Creek, WI, Jerry (Lynn) Garski of Macedon, NY, Mary Jo (Vince) Caracciolo of Palm Beach Gardens, FL; two granddaughters, Stephanie and Carolyn; brothers and sister, Larry (Dottie) Garski of Racine, Dick (Marietta) Garski of Racine, Al Garski of Rome, WI, and Kathy Garski of Racine; nieces, nephews, other relatives and dear friends. Ron was also preceded in death by his second wife, Barbara Romano.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, April 9, 2012, at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 1633 Erie St., with Reverend Sean Granger officiating. Interment with full military honors will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, Hwy 32. Relatives and friends may meet with the family Monday at the church from 9:30 a.m. until time of Mass.

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

Clyde E. Sustachek

Clyde E. Sustachek, age 84, passed away Monday, April 2, 2012, at Wheaton Franciscan-All Saints Medical Center. Clyde was born in Racine June 17, 1927, son of the late August and Louise (nee: Peterka) Sustachek and had been a lifelong resident,

He was a proud graduate of Wm. Horlick High School “Class of 1945.” On June 14, 1952, at St. John Nepomuk Catholic Church, Clyde was united in marriage to Margaret J. Gross, and shared nearly sixty beautiful years together. Clyde served in the U.S. Army occupational forces stationed in Japan. He was employed as a repair technician with the Wisconsin Telephone Company for forty-two years until his retirement in 1989.

Clyde was a member of St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, and former member of the Sertoma Club, the Racine Instinctive Bowmen, Wisconsin Telephone Bowling League, Jay Campers, Circle 8 Square Dancers, and the Hi Lo Dance Club. He was very involved with the Knights of Columbus Council 697 and 1207, where he was a 4th Degree member, member of the honor guard, and played on their dartball team. Clyde was extremely proud of initiating the Crypt Flag Project at Holy Cross Cemetery honoring the veterans in the crypts. 

More than anything, he loved his time with his family. He loved vacationing in almost all 50 states, especially Hawaii and Alaska, and his trips to London and the Black Forest Area in Germany. He also enjoyed his annual trips to the Bix Jazz Festival in Iowa and his family camping trip to the Black Hills, the Badlands and Yellowstone National Park. His son, John, and his twin grandsons, Kurt and Tony, were his pride and joy and always gave Clyde much pleasure through their sporting events and everything they did. Clyde will be dearly missed.

Survivors include his loving wife, Margaret; son, John (fiancée, Jenifer Syrett) Sustachek of Waterford; grandchildren, twins, Kurtis and Anthony Sustachek; step-grandchildren, Katlyn, Jaclyn and Ashlyn Syrett; brother, Calvin (Marilyn) Sustachek of Racine; sister-in-law, Lucille Soens; brother-in-law, Edward Reagan; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Clyde was also preceded in death by his sister and brother-in-law, Ellen and Rudy Spodick and his nephew Wayne Spodick.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 6400 Spring St., on Monday, April 9, 2012, at 11 a.m., with Rev. Terry J. Huebner officiating. Entombment with Full Military Honors will follow at Holy Cross Garden Mausoleum, Hwy 32. Relatives and friends may meet with the family at the funeral home on Sunday from 3 p.m. until 5 p.m. and at the church Monday from 10 a.m. until time of Mass. Memorials to St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, the American Lung Association and the American Heart Association have been suggested.

Clyde’s family would like to thank therapists Kim and Karen for their great efforts to help Clyde regain his strength, and to Dr. Berce and the wonderful nurses and CNAs in the cardiovascular unit for their loving and compassionate care.

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

Jo Ann Mary Habetler

Mrs. Jo Ann M. Habetler (nee: Wodicka), 87, passed away at Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare – All Saints on Monday, April 2, 2012.

Jo Ann was born in Racine to the late Joseph and Nell (nee: VanSwol, Schoeppe) on July 11, 1924. She had lived in Racine for most of her life. Joseph Habetler had come back from serving in War II and met Jo Ann. They were united in marriage on September 4, 1948, in Racine, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.

Mrs. Habetler was faithful in the Congregational Church. She and her husband were 60-year members of the Racine Instinctive Bowman’s Club. They were involved in competitive archery. She was also an avid golfer, bowler, card player and reader. Jo Ann was a great homemaker. She was a great cook and every week she would have dinner for the whole family. She lovingly cared for her home and her family.

Jo Ann will be sadly missed by her husband of 63 years, Joseph; her children, Mary Jo Seeger and her fiancé, Andrew Berris, and Gary (Sandy) Habetler; five grandchildren, Deborah (Jerome) Prucha, Erik (Beckie) Habetler, Robert (Kathleen) Seeger, Michael Ackermann and Steven Ackermann; six great-grandchildren, Tyler, Jazmyn, Ethan, Abby, Greyson and Isaac; one sister-in-law, Catherine Wodicka; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her sister, Ruth (James) Mau; and her brother, Harold Wodicka.

Funeral services in honor of Jo Ann will be held at the Wilson Funeral Home on Monday, April 9, 2012, at 11:30 a.m. Entombment will follow at West Lawn Memorial Park. Relatives and friends may meet with the family from 10:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. service time. Memorials may be directed to the Stars and Stripes Honor Flight.

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

Glenn Lopour

Glenn R. Lopour, age 72, was born to eternal life surrounded by his loving family and friends on Saturday, March 31, 2012, following a brave and courageous decade long battle with prostate cancer.

Glenn was born in Racine on October 13, 1939, to the late Frank and Mary (nee: Obal) Lopour. On May 4, 1968, he was united in marriage to the love of his life, Sheila Sipher, at St. John Nepomuk Catholic Church where he was a lifelong member.

Glenn served overseas in the United States Air Force from 1957-1960. Glenn was stationed in Japan where he worked on installing navigation systems for aircraft. Glenn was part of the team responsible for the installation of the first ILS system in Naha, Okinawa. After being honorably discharged from the United States Air Force, Glenn began working for Oster Manufacturing as a chemist until he was hired by Wisconsin Bell/AT&T as a systems engineer. After working for nearly 30 years for Wisconsin Bell/AT&T, Glenn retired in 1993. Glenn then pursued a career with TCG, serving as a fiber optic technician from 1995-2001 when he retired upon the diagnosis of his illness.

Glenn was an Eagle scout, a proud graduate of St. Catherine’s High School, Class of 1957, an active member of St. John Nepomuk parish, spent time coaching sports his children played, was a member of the phone company pioneers and the U.C.T. Glenn loved life. He fought hard to give his friends and family all the additional time he could. He loved spending time with his family and friends, especially his grandchildren. In addition to his family, he enjoyed fishing, traveling, gardening and the Green Bay Packers. He had a passion for airplanes and air shows. Glenn enjoyed attending games at Lambeau Field and was a shareholder of the Green Bay Packers.

Glenn is survived by his loving wife of forty-four years, Sheila; children, Matthew Lopour of Kenosha, Kelly (George Zaleski) Heiselmann, and Lorrie (Jay) Robinson, all of Racine; five grandchildren, Abigail and Travis Lopour, Hailey Heiselmann, Tyler Robinson, Addison Zaleski; sister, Jackie Presta; brother, Warren (Ann) Lopour; mother-in-law, Delilah Taleck; sister-in-law, Nancy Dowler; brother-in-law, Melvin (Sandy Ericksen) Sipher; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

In addition to his parents, Glenn was also preceded in death by his brother-in-laws, Louie Presta and Chuck Dowler.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. John Nepomuk Catholic Church, 1903 Green St., on  Tuesday, April 10, 2012, at 10:30 a.m., with Rev. Don Zerkel officiating. Entombment with Full Military Honors will follow at Holy Cross Garden Mausoleum, Hwy 32. Relatives and friends may meet with the family at the funeral home on Monday, April 9, 2012, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. and at the church Tuesday from 10 a.m. until time of Mass.

The family extends a special thank you to Dr. Michael Mullane and his staff and to the nurses and aides on 2D at Wheaton Franciscan-All Saints, for all of their loving and compassionate care.

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

Joyce Enid Buehrens

Sturtevant -- Mrs. Joyce E. (nee: Watts) Buehrens, 82, passed away on Thursday, March 29, 2012, in her home surrounded by family after a long illness.

Joyce was born in Chicago on December 29, 1929, to the late William and Myfanwy “Bonnie” (nee: Jones) Watts and has lived in the Racine area for the past 59 years. She was a graduate of Kenosha’s Mary D. Bradford High School class of 1947 and had attended two years of college at the U.W. extension center. She was united in marriage to Robert E. Buehrens on March 4, 1950; he preceded her in death on September 25, 2000.

Although she was a stay-at-home mother to her eight children for many years, Joyce had been formerly employed by the Racine Journal Times as a freelance writer and ARA services (Racine Unified hot lunch program) at Schulte School from 1973 to 1985. Joyce was also active in Faith Lutheran Church, the SWD-LWML where she held various positions, the Christian Service League, Women’s Bible Study, Sunday School Superintendent, Adult Bible Class, a volunteer at the RLHS Thrift Store, formerly active as the VBS Superintendent, and Girl Scouts of Racine County. With the Girl Scouts, she had been a troop leader, day camp director, counselor and, most importantly, cookie sale chairman. Joyce also loved camping, hiking, traveling, knitting, sewing, crocheting, swimming and was a Jeopardy wiz. But most of all, she made many lasting friendships and was a loving mother to all her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Joyce will be dearly missed by her children, Trudy (Dave) Kristopeit, Nancy (James) Brichacek, Eileen (Wendell) Zirbel, Linda (Patrick) Polcin, Henry Buehrens, Mary (James) Sandberg, Richard (Mary) Buehrens, and James (Marie) Buehrens; grandchildren, Michael (Rachel) Kristopeit, Katie (Kevin) Hagen, Joshua (Suzanne) Kristopeit, Jason (Jeannette) Zirbel, Jeremy (Leanne) Zirbel, Heidi (Spencer) Frost, Wendy Polcin, Jamie, Robert and Holly Sandberg, Austin and Andrew Buehrens, Amanda (Casey) Hollander, Ryan and Rebecca Buehrens; great-grandchildren, Haley, Carley, Corra, Carter, Gus, Maggie, Harper, Cheyenne, Damon, Ava, Kennedy and Brooklyn; her sisters, Phyllis Gordon, Lois (Bill) Mellen, Susie Hatch; sister-in-law, June Foth; cousins, Eleanor (Bob) Holtz and Joan Wooten; as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert; parents, four brothers-in-law, and one sister-in-law.

Funeral services in honor of Joyce will be held at Faith Lutheran Church, 8500 Durand Ave., on Tuesday, April 3, 2012, at 11 a.m. with Rev. Jeffery Mortenson and Rev. Jason Zirbel officiating. Interment will follow at West Lawn Memorial Park. Relatives and friends are invited to meet with the family at Wilson Funeral Home on Monday, April 2, 2012, from 5 to 8 p.m. and on Tuesday at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of service. Memorials in honor of Joyce may be directed to Faith Lutheran Church or Concordia Lutheran School.

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

Chester Charles Szymczak

Chester C. Szymczak, 94, passed away on March 29, 2012, at Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare-All Saints just three days short of his 95th birthday.

He was born in Racine on April 1, 1917, to the late Joseph and Zophia (nee: Lizik) Szymczak and had lived his entire life in Racine. He was a Washington Park High School graduate of 1935. On August 23, 1944, he was united in marriage to Caroline (nee: Szczepanski); she preceded him in death in September of 2005.

Chester was inducted into the United States Army Air Corps on May 12, 1941. He served his country as an Army aerial reconnaissance photographer and photo gunner. He mapped the Alaskan Canadian (ALCAN) Highway, photographed enemy installations in the South Pacific and was instrumental in resolving border and mapping disputes in South America, including the Amazon River. His geographical assignments included Alaska, Central America, Columbia, Peru, New Guinea, The Philippines and Moratai. His decorations and citations included The American Defense Service Ribbon, and the Army Air Corps Air Medal. He was honorably discharged as a Tech Sergeant from the US Army Air Corps on October 13, 1945.

Upon returning from World War II, Chester founded Caroline Studios, which specialized in the emerging photographic field of children and weddings. He was employed by the United States Post Office from 1947 through 1977, where he started his career as a postal carrier. He was promoted to foreman, supervisor, manager, and eventually held the title of Superintendent of Mails, one of the top management positions at the Racine Post Office.

Chester’s early interest in photography became a lifelong passion. During the 1960s, his photos won numerous awards and were hung at the Wustum Museum. He was an expert in black and white darkroom photography. Today, his photography is part of the Benson Latin American Collection at the University of Texas. His other passion was woodworking and wood sculpturing. Inspired by modernist artists such as Calder and Picasso, his sculptures reflected his artistic views on life and politics. His other interests included gardening, writing and Sudoku. He was an avid tennis player well known for his well placed and deadly “dink shots.” He and his wife, Caroline, enjoyed traveling, dancing, fishing and sailing at their weekend getaway at Army Lake. Many family birthdays and holidays were spent at “the lake.” His incredible mind, creative storytelling and imagination will be missed by all.

Chester will be dearly missed by his five children, Carol (Richard) Nelson of Moorestown, NJ, Robert Szymczak (Phyllis) of Racine, Jeanne Szymczak Timber of Taos, NM, Joan (Ronald) Koptis of Yucca Valley, CA, and Daniel (Patricia) Szymczak of Racine; nine grandchildren, Joannah, Erik, Erin, Mark, Gregory, Alissa, Ian, Alaina and Angela; six great-grandchildren, Sawyer, Neva, Henry, Rowan, Eleanor and Eli. He was also preceded in death by his sister, Genevieve; and brother, Eugene.

A Memorial Mass in honor of Chester will be held at St. Edward’s Catholic Church, 1401 Grove Ave., on Monday, April 2, 2012, at 10 a.m. with Fr. Allen Bratkowski officiating. Inurnment will be held at the Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery. Relatives and friends are invited to meet at the church on Monday from 9 a.m. until the time of service.

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