Eugene 'Gene' E. Ernst

Eugene “Gene” E. Ernst, age 72, passed away Tuesday, July 31, 2012, at his residence. Gene was born in Racine on May 19, 1940, son of the late Eugene E. and Dorothy M. (Nee: Drought) Ernst.

Gene graduated from Washington Park High School “Class of 1958.” He proudly served in the United States Air Force. He retired from Lucent Technologies after thirty-six years of service and for the following nine years worked as a courier at the Bank of Elmwood. An avid Packer and Brewer fan, Gene also enjoyed daily news and dining out with family and friends.

Survivors include his sons, Mark Ernst of Racine, James (Rainie) Ernst of Racine; his two grandchildren, Dale and Casey; his significant other, Karen Nelsen; other relatives and many dear friends.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, August 7, 2012, at 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home with Rev. Mark Swanson officiating. Interment with full military honors will follow at West Lawn Memorial Park. Relatives and friends may meet with the family Monday at the funeral home from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. and Tuesday at the funeral home from 10 a.m. until time of service at 10:30 a.m.

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

John James Grimmer

John James Grimmer, 76, passed away peacefully at his home on Tuesday, July 31, 2012. John was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on April 23, 1936, son of the late Raymond and Bernadine (nee: Beaupre) Grimmer.

John grew up in Milwaukee and graduated from Marquette University  High School in 1954. He received a BSCE in 1959, and an MBA in 1961 from Marquette University. During college he was in the US Naval Reserve until 1962. Early in his career he was employed with Ford Motor Co. Comptroller’s office in Dearborn, MI. It was during this time that he met and married Dolores “Dee” Krause on July 8, 1967. He brought his family to Racine in 1974 to join J.I. Case Co. in Long-Range Product Planning. In 1978 he became an Investment Real Estate Broker. From 1992 until his retirement in 2004, he worked for Westfalia in Hilchenbach, Germany, and NordAlu Wernal in Neumunster, Germany, as North American Sales Manager.

John cherished his family and friends. No grandchild got past him without hugs and tickles and he lavished this same affection on his children throughout their lives. John participated in sports all his life and loved tennis, golf and boating and spent time traveling in his retirement. He was a long-standing member of Meadowbrook Country Club. He also had great fun coaching soccer for RASA youth teams.

John is survived by his loving wife, Dee; two daughters, Christina (Alex) Holderness, Carolyn (Steven) Chybowski; a son, Matthew (Emily) Grimmer; two grandchildren, Regan and Katherine Grimmer; brothers and sisters, Patricia (Marvin) Knuth of Mequon, Dorothy (Edward) Capper of Whitefish Bay, Raymond (Georgia) Grimmer of Brown Deer, Lawrence Grimmer of Midway AR, Terrence Grimmer of Milwaukee, Timothy (Karen) Grimmer of Mequon, Gerald (Marjorie) Grimmer of Scotch Plains NJ, Dennis (Jean) Grimmer of Victoria, BC, Canada and Michael Grimmer; and many nieces and nephews. Brothers and sisters-in-law are Joan and Robert Louwers and Gerald and Hope Krause. Preceding him in death are his sisters, Joan Baker and Frances Kohn; and brothers-in-law, Lawrence Baker and Al Kohn.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, August 3, 2012, at 11 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 2201 Northwestern Ave., Racine. Visitation will be at church Friday beginning at 9 a.m. until the time of Mass at 11 a.m. Internment will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Detroit, MI.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The ALS Association, 3333 North Mayfair Rd. Suite 213, Wauwatosa, WI 53222 and St. Catherine High School, Racine, WI.

Our family is very thankful to Heartland Hospice and Synergy Homecare for making John’s last days at home so peaceful.

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

Pauline R. (Newhouse) Walsh

Surrounded by her loving family, Pauline Walsh, age 91, passed away Tuesday, July 31, 2012.  Pauline was born in her home in Kenosha on August 15, 1920, daughter of the late Joseph and Mary (nee: Bookman) Newhouse.

On July 29, 1939, at St. Rita Catholic Church of West Allis she was united in marriage to Jerome J. Walsh, who preceded her in death on November 19, 2005.  Pauline was an avid swimmer.  Pauline’s greatest enjoyment came from caring and cooking for her family.  She was a loving and devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who will be deeply missed.          

Survivors include her children, Mary Lou Falkner of Kenosha, Patricia (Harry) Garnette, William (Patricia) Walsh, Paula Bodnar, all of Racine; her eight grandchildren, Shawn (Lisa) Zinnen and their children, Gianna and Kylee of Denver, CO, Rodney Zinnen of Imperial Beach, CA, Sherri (Steve) Krekling and their children, Lindsey and Laurin of Sturtevant, Denise (Timothy) Bissonnette and their children, Kyle and Ryan of Kenosha, Debra (Brandon) Wills and their children, Justin and Ireland of Knoxville, TN, Jerome (Meagan) Walsh of Milwaukee, Frank (Cassandra) Bodnar and their children, Danielle and Ava of Racine, Lori (Mike) Peterson and their children, Robert, Jacob and Samantha of Racine; sister, Lillian Ventura of MN; sister-in-law, Pat Morrall of Florida; nieces, nephews, other relatives, many dear friends and her special sheltie, Audrey.  In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by eight siblings and son-in-law, Leon Falkner.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, August 3, 2012, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Rita Catholic Church, 4339 Douglas Ave., with Rev. Kevin Mullins OSA officiating.  Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, Kinzie Avenue.  Relatives and friends may meet with the family Friday at the church from 9:30 a.m. until time of Mass at 10:30 a.m.  Memorials to St. Jude’s Children Hospital have been suggested.

The family extends a special thank you to the entire staff at Lincoln Village Convalescent Center for all of their loving and compassionate care, and a special thank you to our angel, Sue Nosalik, nurse practitioner.

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

Henry 'Harry' Ralph Hermans

Kenosha -- On July 31, 2012, Henry R. Hermans left his earthly body to spend eternity with his heavenly Father. As he entered the gates of heaven we can almost hear his voice shouting Hallelujah, one of his favorite and frequent praises.

Harry was born June 22, 1917, in Rock Island, IL, to John Cornelius and Julia (Veermeer) Hermans. At about the age of three Harry moved with his family to Antwerp, Belgium, returning to the U.S. six years later to settle in Racine. Harry had attended school in Belgium and returned to the U.S. speaking Flemish as well as English, earning him the nickname, Dutch.

In May of 1938 Harry married Esther Lillian Nelson and they had three children. Harry worked as a precision grinder for Tree Tool and Die Company for many years. After his retirement, Harry enjoyed fishing, watching sports, taking rides along the lakefront and spending time with his family. In 2007, Harry moved to Woodstock Nursing Home in Kenosha. He could often be heard in the halls there playing his harmonica. Everyone there knew Harry.

Harry was a long-time member of Calvary Memorial Church. His many years of service there include serving as a Deacon, teaching adult Sunday School, providing janitorial services and driving the Sunday School bus. Harry had a special passion for missions, from working at the Racine Rescue Mission to keeping in close communication with missionaries and helping meet their needs He always had a missionary “bucket” where he put all of his change for the missionaries.

Harry is survived by his children and their spouses, Natalie and Al Atkins, and John and Gloria Hermans; his grandchildren, Lisa Barton, Alan (Lisa) Atkins, Amy (Chuck) Vokal, and Andrew (Elisha) Hermans; his great-grandchildren, Julia and Maya Barton and Hope Atkins. Harry was preceded in death by Esther, his wife of 66 years; and his daughter, Marianne Lee Frederiksen.

Funeral services will be held at Calvary Memorial Church, 4001 Washington Ave., on Saturday, August 11, 2012, at 10:30 a.m. Visitation will be at the church on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service. Burial will be at West Lawn Memorial Park. In honor of Harry, casual dress is appreciated. In lieu of flowers, memorials to support missionaries have been suggested.

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

Beverly (Buchalter) Sklansky

Beverly Sklansky, age 89, passed away on July 29, 2012.   Bev was born on May 21, 1923, in Detroit, Michigan, and as a youngster moved to Chicago, Illinois, with her family.

She was a 1941 graduate of Roosevelt High School, where she captained her high school softball team, was salutatorian of her class, and first met her future spouse, Milton.  During World War II she worked in downtown Chicago and enjoyed volunteering at USO events and dances for local and traveling troops.  Following the war and Milt’s return from the European theater, Bev and Milt were married in 1946.  They moved to Racine, Wisconsin, in 1957.

Bev was an avid reader of both fiction and nonfiction, a film buff, a fan of many art forms, a traveler, and a person who was intellectually curious.  She also was a bowler, a tennis player and, late in life, a golfer.  She and Milt loved to dance and were very social.  But one of her true passions was bridge.  Bev was a life master and was just a few points shy of achieving her goal of 1,000 master points.  She enjoyed her life and did not want to waste a day.
           
Bev was quite proud of, and is survived by, her sons, Sanford (Cindy) and Ronald (Carol Ottenstein); and her grandchildren, Daniel (Christine Zimmerman), Steven (Shea Rehm), Alexandra and Robert.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Milt; her brother, Eugene Buchalter; and her sister, Gloria Ketai.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, August 1, 2012, at 11 a.m. at the funeral home with Rabbi Martyn Adelberg officiating.  Interment will follow at the Racine Jewish Memorial Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, a donation in Bev’s memory may be made to:  Charles A. Wustum Museum of Fine Arts, 2519 Northwestern Ave., Racine, WI 53404.

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

Donald E. Freres

Donald E. Freres, age 88, passed away Friday, July 27, 2012, at Wheaton Franciscan All Saints Medical Center.  He was born July 28, 1923, to Nicholas and Josephine (Nee:  Meier) Freres and has been a resident of the Racine area his entire life.

He was married to Beverly Smith on July 13, 1946; she died November 30, 1989.  Don married Lorraine (Nee:  Kottie) Kotnour Johnson on July 14, 1998.  He was a 1941 graduate of William Horlick High School.  He also attended undergraduate school at Illinois Institute of Technology.  Don enlisted in the United States Air Force in December 1942, and was discharged in March 1946.  He was a Radar Maintenance Crew Chief, serving in Canada, Philippines and Japan.  He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion.

Don was an employee and co-owner of Sterling Tool Company for 49 years.  He was a Certified Manufacturing Engineer, holding four patents on industrial machinery.  He was co-founder of Racine/Kenosha Chapter of National Tool and Precision Machine Association, and was a life member of Society of Manufacturing Engineers.  Don was an active golf member of Kenosha Country Club.  He was a member of St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church.

Survivors include his wife, Lorraine (Nee:  Kottie); his son, Peter J. (Sandy) Freres and grandson, Timothy Donald; four stepsons and wives and families; sister, LaVerne (Thomas) LaFleur; brother, James Freres; sisters-in-law, Betty Freres, Mary Jo (Earl) Quehl; brother-in-law, Thomas Kotnour; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Robert N. Freres; sisters, Annamae (Frank) McKee, Marion (Gerald) Liegler, Dorothy (Art) Sorensen; brothers-in-law, Joseph Smith, Harold Smith; and sisters-in-law, Helen (Alvin) Jensen and Eileen Freres.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 6400 Spring Street, on Tuesday, July 31, 2012, at 6 p.m. with Rev. Terrance Huebner officiating.  Relatives and friends may meet with the family at the church Tuesday from 4:30 p.m. until time of Mass.  Private burial will be held at Holy Cross Cemetery, Hwy 32.    Memorials to Freres/Sharp Scholarship Fund of Society of Manufacturing Engineers Racine Chapter #2 or St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church have been suggested.

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

Mieczyslaw 'Mietek' Szymandera

Mieczyslaw "Mietek" Szymandera, age 93, passed away Friday, July 27, 2012, at his residence. He was born in Russov, Poland, on April 11, 1919, to Michael and Josephina Szymandera.

On Sept 13, 1947, in Dachau, Germany, he was united in marriage to Anny Hirsch, who passed away November 13, 1995. They came to the United States in 1949, residing in Washington, D.C., for a short time before settling in Racine in the early 1950s. Mietek was employed by Walker Mfg., Rainfair Co., Tree, Tool & Die, and Wisconsin Southern Colony, where he retired in 1980.

He and Anny resided in Round Rock, Texas, for 10 years enjoying their time with family there. Mietek and his wife enjoyed gardening and were known for their bountiful crops that they shared with co-workers and neighbors every year. Mietek also loved his flowers and this was his most favorite pastime over the years. He was a member of St Joseph's Catholic Church. He will be dearly missed.

Surviving are his four sons, Reinhard (Ivy) of Racine, Arnold (Mary Lynn) of Hutto, TX, Michael (Vondell) and Allen (Julie) of Racine; eight grandchildren, Erica, Tara, Stefanie, Weslie (Georgetown TX) Troy, Leah, Dayne and Alana; numerous great-grandchildren; nieces and their families in Russov and Kaliz, Poland; and nephews and families in Toronto, Canada; a sister-in-law, Wally Luchinski; special friends, Joe and Patti Colbert of Bertram, TX.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents, brothers and a sister in Poland.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, July 31, 2012, at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 1533 Erie St., with Rev. Brian Holbus officiating. Entombment will follow at Holy Cross Mausoleum, Hwy 32. Relatives and friends may meet with the family Tuesday at the church from 10 a.m. until time of Mass. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Diabetic Foundation or to St. Joseph's Catholic Church have been suggested.

A special thank you to Rosie and Andy for their loving and compassionate care.

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