Roger K. Erickson

Gilbert, AZ -- If there's a sports fans' "Hall of Fame," Roger Erickson is there cheering for his beloved Cubs and Packers.  The colorful life of a wonderful husband, father and friend ended June 26, 2013, in Gilbert, Arizona.

Roger Erickson was born in Little Falls, MN, on January 9, 1941. He was the son of  Arthur Beseman, and Mildred Erickson.  Roger was educated in Minnesota schools and was an avid swimmer, bowler and basketball player at Denfeld High School in Duluth, MN.

At age 18 he relocated to Racine, Wisconsin, to work at American Motors/Chrysler in 1959. Roger advanced through the ranks at American Motors starting on the assembly line and eventually earned the position of General Superintendent, retiring January 31, 1998.

On April 8, 1961, Roger married the love of his life, Ida Rivera.  The couple was blessed with three wonderful children and celebrated 52 years of marriage together.

Left to remember Roger are his loving wife and best friend, Ida Erickson; sons, Rodger C. Erickson (wife, Angie),  Rick Erickson (wife, Heather); and daughter, Lori J. Poplawski (husband, Greg); along with grandchildren, Alex, Kyle, Rhianna, Haley and Cameron Erickson,  Colton and  Ellie Poplawski; and his extended family and dear friends.  Roger is also survived by three half-brothers, Jim (Bonnie) Erickson, Rod Beseman, Mark Beseman; brothers and sisters-in-law, Nora Shaughnessy, Eva and Hank Hackstein, Gene and Joanie Rivera, Adam and Marian Barootian, Terri and the late Glen Battles.

He was proceed in death by his father, Arthur; mother, Mildred; his beloved grandparents, Mabel and Edward Raffensparger; and half-brother, Bruce Beseman.

A Memorial Service will be held Sunday, July 7, 2013, at 1 p.m. at the funeral home with Deacon Howard Wirtz officiating.  Relatives and friends may meet with the family Sunday at the funeral home from 11 a.m. until time of service at 1 p.m.

Every time that the Cubs score a run or the Packers score a touchdown they'll be doing it for Roger.  Boy, what a way to be remembered!

"Life is a series of surprises, and would not be worth taking or keeping if it were not."
                                                                       -- Ralph Waldo Emerson

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

Richard R. 'Richie' Monfeli II

Surrounded by his family, Richard R. Monfeli, “Richie”, age 59, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 25, 2013, at his residence. He was born in Racine on May 12, 1954, son of the late Richard and Phyllis (Nee: Kelley) Monfeli.

Richie graduated from Wm Horlick High School, Class of 1973.” He was an avid sports fan and enjoyed woodworking and gardening. He will be dearly missed.

Surviving are his brothers, Bill (Pam) of Charlotte, NC, Mike and Bob of Racine, and John of Phoenix, AZ; his aunt, Jan Monfeli; many nieces, nephews and cousins,

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, June 29, 2013, at 10 a..m. at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 6400 Spring St. Entombment will follow at Holy Cross Mausoleum, Hwy 32. Relatives and friends may meet Saturday at the church from 9 a.m. until time of Mass. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the American Heart Foundation or the American Stroke Foundation have been suggested.

The family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to nephews and niece Alex, Tony and Gina for the many years of help, love and sacrifice you gave to keep Richie comfortable; to Nichole for being there with Richie every day, unselfishly helping make his life easier, and to Jay for being the best and dearest friend Richie ever had. The family also wishes to extend a special thank you to Jamie and Jessica of Hospice Alliance for their loving and compassionate care.

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

Shirley M. (Smith) Heimes

Surrounded by her loving family, Shirley M. Heimes, age 78, passed away on Tuesday, June 25, 2013, at her residence.    Shirley was born in Racine on June 4, 1935, daughter of the late Gordon D. and Emma E. (Nee:  Stroobants) Smith.

Shirley was a graduate of Washington Park High School.  On April 18, 1980, she was united in marriage to Larry F. Heimes.  Throughout her working career she was employed by J.I. Case Company, Hamilton Beach, Western Printing, and lastly by Lincoln Lutheran.  Shirley also enjoyed being a training instructor for canines.  Her pastimes included horseback riding, but most of all she cherished time with her family, especially the many years camping at Wild Rose and Circle K Campground.   She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who will be deeply missed.

Survivors include her loving husband of thirty–three years, Larry; her children, Kerry (Pat) Drake of FL, Debbie (Larry) Porter of FL, Sandy (Richard) Gatzky of Coleman, Peggy (Bob) Vian of Black River Falls; six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; brothers, Gordon (Carmen) Smith of Maine, James (Gloria) Smith of FL; sister, Jane (Bob) Peterson of Surprise, AZ; brother-in-law and sisters-in-law, Raymond (Alice) Faulkner, Delores Debaere, Betty Debaere, Eilene Heimes (Lloyd Kilman); nieces, nephews, other relatives and dear friends.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her half-brothers, Dick Debaere, Danny Debaere; half-sister, Marvelena Debeare; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Raymond and Marceline Heimes; brothers-in-law, Lee Heimes and Lenny Heimes.

Funeral services will be held Monday, July 1, 2013, at 11:30 a.m. at the funeral home with Chaplain Terry Peterson officiating.  Interment will follow at West Lawn Memorial Park.  Relatives and friends may meet with the family Sunday at the funeral home from 3 p.m. until 5 p.m. and Monday at the funeral home from 11 a..m. until time of service at 11:30 a.m. Memorials to the family have been suggested.

A special thank you to Hospice Alliance and to Dr. Mullane for their loving and compassionate care. 

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

Ruth Ernestine Carolyn Gitzel

Milwaukee -- Ruth Ernestine Carolyn Gitzel, age 93, died peacefully on April 28, 2013.

Ruth was a lifelong resident of Milwaukee and an active member of her community.  She was generous, loving, patient, talented and creative. She found joy in playing the piano and gave piano lessons to many of her squirmy nieces and nephews, whom she loved and who loved her right back.  She also took them to plays, concerts and museums.  In later life she took up painting, and many of her paintings now grace the homes of her nieces, nephews and sister.

She served in her church as Sunday school teacher and deacon, and she served in the community by tutoring math in several middle schools, putting to use her math degree from Milwaukee-Downer College. She enjoyed the beauty of flowers, gardens and the outdoors, and frequently walked, skated and cross-country skied in Whitnall Park, which she loved.

Her work provided her another creative outlet. Ruth spent many years in the field of home furnishing, culminating with the opening of her own store, Lamps Etc., in Brookfield in 1983.

Ruth is survived by her sister Carol (Robert) Anderson. She was preceded in death by her sisters, Marion (Walter) Schmidt and Dorothea (Eldon) Smithback.  She is missed by her family, her friends and her community.

There will be a Memorial Service for Ruth at 10 a.m. on July 13, 2013, at Immanuel Presbyterian Church, 1100 N. Astor St., Milwaukee.   Anyone whose life was touched by Ruth is welcome.

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

Sister Audrey Affholder, O.P.

Sister Audrey Affholder, O.P., 84, passed away at Siena Center, Racine, on Monday, June 24, 2013.

Ruth Marie was born July 1, 1928, to Joseph and Laura R. (nee: Hillenbrand) Affholder in Madison, WI. On September 2, 1946, she joined the Racine Dominicans and at her reception in 1947 she was given the religious name Sister Audrey. She professed her first vows in 1949 and her final vows in 1955.

Sister Audrey spent many years in service to others by teaching children in the primary grades. She began her ministry in 1949 at St. Joseph, Racine, WI. Other places in Wisconsin where she served were St. Andrew, LeRoy; St. Augustine, Wausaukee; St. Bernard, Madison; St. Mary, Tomah; St. Mary, Janesville; St. Louis, Caledonia; St. Mary, Kenosha; and Sacred Heart, Racine. For many years during the summer months she volunteered as a nurse’s aide in the Sisters Infirmary at Siena Center. After moving to Siena Center in 1996 she was a volunteer in the Senior Companion Program.

Sister Audrey is survived by the Racine Dominican Sisters and Associates; her half-brother, Jim Affholder; her half-sister, Joan (Don) Krause; and nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents and her stepmother, Pearl Affholder.

Visitation will be in the Siena Center Chapel on Friday, June 28, beginning at 9 a.m. with a Remembering Service at 9:30 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. Interment will take place at Holy Cross Cemetery, Hwy 32. Memorials to the Racine Dominican Mission Fund have been suggested.

The Racine Dominicans would like to extend their thanks to the staff of Supportive Living who cared for Sister Audrey at Siena Center.

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

Ernest Celeste

Ernest Celeste, age 89, passed away on Monday, June 24, 2013, at Wheaton Franciscan –All Saints Medical Center. Ernie was born in Sturtevant on April 16, 1924, son of the late Balisario and Frances (Nee: Figliolia) Celeste.

Ernie attended and graduated from Sturtevant State Graded School. He proudly served in the United States Army Air Corps from August 1945 until December 1946.

On September 11, 1948, at St. Sebastian Catholic Church, he was united in marriage to Eileen M. Helding, who preceded him in death on May 15, 2012. Ernie was employed by Walker Manufacturing for thirty-one years and was a Sturtevant Volunteer Firefighter for thirty-five years. He was a devoted and longtime member of St. Sebastian Catholic Church. He will be deeply missed.

Survivors include his children, Barbara (Ken) McCloskey, John (Wendy) Celeste, Mark (Julie) Celeste, Christine Wenzel; 11 grandchildren; two great-granddaughters; sisters, Beverly Arndt, Eleanor Schroeder; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many dear friends. In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Frances Ann; his granddaughter, Crystal Rose; brothers and sisters, Marco (Josephine) Celeste, Mary (Joe) Sorensen Livengood, Josephine (Abe) Kirkorian, James (Theresa) Celeste, Rosalie (William) Jensen; and brother-in-law, Richard Arndt.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, July 3, 2013, at 11 a.m. at St. Sebastian Catholic Church, 3100 95th St., with Rev. Mark R. Jones officiating. Interment will follow at West Lawn Memorial Park. Relatives and friends may meet with the family Wednesday at the church from 10 a.m. until time of Mass at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials to St. Sebastian Catholic Church have been suggested.

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

Russell E. Schwartz

Russell Edwin Schwartz, Sr., of Racine, passed away Monday, June 24, 2013. He was 86.

Beloved husband of Marie for 66 years. Wonderful father to Sue (Bonner) Zamora, Diane (Jim) Parker, Russ (Carrie), Mike (Cindy), and Mary Jo (Jim) Janicik. Loving grandfather of Bryan, Cherie, Shannon, Jon, Tracy, Emily and Hannah. Dear great-grandfather of Alex, Katie, Matthew, Kara, Cameron, Jordan, Alaina and Ava. He is also survived by his sister, Gloria; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many dear friends.

Russ was born on July 21, 1926, in Racine and graduated from Park high school in 1944. He served two years in the Army in WWII . In 1958, he helped create what became Insurance Planning Consultants, Inc. and retired in 1996 when he sold the business.

Russ was a positive-thinking person and a good liver, enjoying life in the moment. He was a witty man and an avid crossword lover. He and Marie traveled widely and enjoyed fine dining and exotic cuisines. He also loved to cook for family and friends. More than anything, he treasured time spent with his family and especially enjoyed hosting holidays their family home.

Visitation will be at Maresh-Meredith Funeral Home, 803 Main St., Racine, WI, on Saturday, June 29, from 3 to 5 p.m. There will be a Time Of Remembering at 4:30 p.m. Private funeral services will be held. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Racine Zoological Society, Hope Safe House, or Friends of the Wind Point Lighthouse are appreciated.

Special thanks to the 5th floor Cardiac and Hospice staff at All Saints. Their care and compassion for Russ and his family during his time there was exceptional.

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