Claude E. Kirkpatrick age 91 of Plain passed away on Friday, July 23, 2010 at the Meadows Assisted Living. He was born on August 2, 1918 in Lone Rock, WI the son of Eugene and Emma (Fleming) Kirkpatrick. Claude graduated from the Spring Green High School and the Colorado State University. While serving in the U.S. Army in the Philippines he was awarded 2 bronze stars and other war medals. Following his military service he was married in 1940 to the former Virginia Fowler. Claude was a member of the Plain American Legion Post #398 and the California Teachers Association. Survivors include; a son, Peyton (Linda) Kirkpatrick of Saugus, CA, 3 grandchildren, Matthew Kirkpatrick of Huntington Beach, CA, Lindsay Kirkpatrick of Yucca Valley, CA and Kevin Kirkpatrick of Saugus, CA. He was preceded in death by his parents, Eugene and Emma Kirkpatrick, his wife Virginia Kirkpatrick , a son, Kim Kirkpatrick and a sister, Merl Kirkpatrick. Funeral services will be held on Monday, August 2, 2010 at 5:00 P.M. at the Richardson-Stafford Funeral Home in Spring Green, WI. Rev. Craig Peach will officiate with burial in the St. Luke’s Catholic Cemetery in Plain, WI where military graveside rites will be conducted by the Plain American Legion Post #398. Visitation will be held on Monday, August 2, 2010 at the Richardson-Stafford Funeral Home from 4:00 P.M. until the time of service.

Earl D. Dalberg age 60 of Viola passed away on Sunday, July 18, 2010 at his home. He was born on June 3, 1950 in Hillsboro, WI the son of Byron “Barney” and Mary (Clift) Dalberg. He attended Kickapoo High School. He was married to the former Judith Kayser in 1969, later divorced and then married the former Judith Starkey on July 3, 1999. He worked at the Richland Center Foundry for many years. He lived in Richland Center until 1997 when he moved to Viola. Earl loved to hunt, fish and spend time with family and friends. Survivors include, his wife, Judy Dalberg of Viola, 2 sons, Jeff (Kerri) Dalberg of Richland Center and Duane Dalberg and Julie Kaul of Muscoda, 1 stepson, Freddie Copus of Richland Center, 2 stepdaughters, Leona Coppernall and Craig Phillips of Richland Center, Darlene Frawley and Bob of Tennessee, 3 granddaughters,Kaitlyn, Karrie and Kayla, 5 step granddaughters, 3 step grandsons, 2 brothers, Kenley (Carolyn) Dalberg of Caledonia, IL, Kelly Dalberg of LaFarge, a sister, Sally (Dean) Fortun of Viola, a brother-in-law, Larry (Cheryl) Starkey of Hillsboro, 2 sisters-in-law, June (Roger) Dickhaut of Texas, Betty (Daniel) Sanchez of Iowa, many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Byron “Barney” and Mary Dalberg, a brother, Dean Dalberg, a grandson, Charlie Dalberg, 2 step grandchildren, Matthew and Cindy, a brother-in-law, Wilfred “Bill” Starkey. A Memorial Visitation will be held on Friday, July 23, 2010 at the Stafford Funeral Home in Richland Center from 4:00 P.M.-7:00 P.M. Online condolences available at www.staffordfuneralhomes.com. The Stafford Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Rita G. Smith age 72 of Richland Center passed away on Wednesday, July 14, 2010 at her residence following a long illness. She was born on March 19, 1938 in Black River Falls, Wisconsin the daughter of Phillip and Vera (Preston) Malchow. She was married on December 15, 1973 to Conrad Smith. Survivors include, her husband, Conrad Smith of Richland Center, a daughter, Sara (Jack) Horton of Rockbridge, 3 grandchildren, James and Austin Golackson and Jack Horton all of Rockbridge. Per Rita’s request there will be no funeral services. The Stafford Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements. Online condolences available at www.staffordfuneralhomes.com.

Grace Elaine Cockroft, 83, died on Tuesday, July 13, 2010, at her home in Sextonville. She was born in La Valle, WI, on March 28, 1927 to Edward and Caroline Kannenberg. While growing up on a small farm in Dutch Hollow, she attended Sand School Elementary, and La Valle High School. After High School she worked at Pal’s Café in Richland Center where she met her future husband Clifford Cockroft. They were married on May 26, 1946 in Dubuque, Iowa. Her greatest passion in life was her dedication to her faith. She was an active servant of Jehovah, and was a Witness in his Congregation for over 60 years.

She is survived by her children; Mickey Peasley, Kevin Cockroft, Kenda (Jack) Gundlach, Ed Cockroft, Todd (Shawn) Cockroft, and Chonnie Cockroft;
Three stepsons; Harland Cockroft, Roger Cockroft, and Richie Cockroft
Grandchildren; Jessie Peasley, Jenny Peasley, Calvin Cockroft, Naomi Cockroft, Emily Cockroft, Sean Cockroft, Micah Wilson, Adam Wilson, Logan Wilson, Alli Gundlach, Wyatt Gundlach, Rachel Cockroft, Jordan Cockroft, Amara Cockroft, and Ethan Cockroft.
And several Great Grandchildren
Brothers and sisters; Helen Degner, Bob (Arlene) Kannenberg, Ed (Barbara) Kannenberg, Janet Dengtson, Joan Sandmire, Chick (Vern) Schultz, John (Janet) Kannenberg, Karen (Eugene) Mihlbauer
And many nieces and nephews
Grace was preceded in death by her husband, Clifford Cockroft, parents, brothers Donald Kannenberg, and Bert Kannenberg.

In lieu of flowers a memorial can be made to the Walk With G.R.A.C.E. Foundation.
Memorial services will be held on Monday, July 19, 2010 at 3:00 PM at the Jehovah Witness Kingdom Hall in Richland Center. Visitation will be held on Monday at the Jehovah Witness Kingdom Hall from 1:00 PM until the time of services at 3:00 PM with George Burnham officiating, and a potluck dinner followed at the Gotham Town Hall. The Stafford Funeral Home in Richland Center assisted the family with arrangements

John L. Whetzal Jr. age 84 of Arena and formerly of Broadview, IL passed away on Saturday, July 10, 2010 following an illness. He was born on March 25, 1926 in Chicago, IL the son of John L. Sr. and Flora Whetzal. John was married to the former Bette Schenck on September 27, 1946 and she preceded him in death on September 24, 1985. He was then married to the former Donna Lauten on October 28, 1988. John was a veteran of WWII, in the Navy and Coast Guard, the first lifetime member of the Warrenville VFW, a business agent for the local 257 for 3 years and a member of the local 803 which he considered his “extended family” for over 50 years. He farmed from 1971 to 1987 in Richland Center and was a police officer for the Warrenville, West Chicago Police Department for 3 years. Survivors include, his wife Donna Whetzal of Broadview, IL, 10 children, Diane (Frank) Gombash of IL, Marie (Vern) Wyatt of Prairie du Chien, SMS John (Pamela) Whetzal III of Iowa, Janelle (Gary) Williams of Arena, Mary Roberts of Lafarge, Patti (Dan) Stauffer of Eau Claire, Robin (Bob) Wilt of Prairie du Chien, Lori (Dean) Rinehart of Sextonville, Bob Whetzal of Osh Kosh, 53 grandchildren, 87 geat grandchildren, 7 great great grandchildren, a brother, William A. (Donna) Whetzal of Warrenville, IL, 2 sisters, Marcia Siebert of Fl, Marilyn (Paul) Higgens of San Raphael, CA, a step daughter, Donna (Tony) Salerno of Il, nieces, nephews, cousins and his dog, Bennie. He was preceded in death by his parents, his 1st wife, Bette Whetzal, a daughter, Judy Wentz, 2 grandsons, 1 stepson, and a great granddaughter. A memorial visitation will be held on Saturday, July 31, 2010 at the Stafford Funeral Home in Richland Center from 10:00 A.M. – 12:00 Noon with burial in the Richland Center Cemetery where military graveside rites will be conducted by the Richland Center local Veterans Military Memorial Honors Unit
The Richardson-Stafford Funeral Home in Spring Greenis assisting the family with the arrangements.

Gerald “Jerry” Faga, age 81, of Richland Center passed away Wednesday, July 7, 2010 at his home in Richland County. Jerry was born January 23, 1929 the son of Fredrick & Mildred Edith (Borne) Faga. Jerry married Betty Blackley and she preceded him in death. Later he married Marcia Rae Cepress on August 7, 1965 and she preceded him in death on April 14, 2000.
Jerry was always a warm and gracious person to everyone that he met. He was kind and inviting which served him well during his years as a restaurant owner and general manager, including Sky Line Bar and Restaurants in Adams County.
All his life he was surrounded by the love and devotion from his family. He gave us character, strength and unconditional love. He is now with his soul mate and sweetheart of 32 years Marcia Rae Faga. We love you and will miss you are guardian angel “Dad”.

Survivors include 8 children, Gary Faga of Adams County, Paul Faga, Lori (Robert) Osmanski of Chicago, Ill., Scott Faga of Nevada, Robert Faga of Madison, WI, Susan (David) Lowrey of Dallas, Texas, Sara (Tim) Sanders of Atlanta, Georgia, and Jennifer (Josh) Anderson of Madison, WI;
18 beautiful grandchildren; a Special Friend to our Dad and family Mary Chambers of Richland Center.

He was preceded in death by his parents, first wife Betty Blackley and 2nd wife Marcia Rae Cepress.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, July 10, 2010 at 2:00 PM at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Richland Center with Fr. Emmanuel officiating. Burial will be held at a later date in the Greenwood Cemetery in Reedsburg, Wisconsin. Visitation will be held on Saturday at the Stafford Funeral Home in Richland Center from 11:00 AM until 1:30 PM. On line condolences can be made at www.staffordfuneralhomes.com The Stafford Funeral Home of Richland Center is assisting the family with arrangements.

William Gary Rabine, age 66, of Yuba passed away peacefully at his home in Yuba on Wednesday, June 9, 2010. Wm. Gary was born February 11, 1944 to Wm. Henry & Ferdonia (Long) Rabine at the Richland Hospital. Gary graduated in 1963 at the Richland Center High School. Gary worked at the Richland Center Foundry for a year & then went to United Building Center where he drove truck. On June 6, 1970, he married Judy Ann Williams, the daughter of Robert Carl & Alice Wilma (Braund) Williams at the United Methodist Church in Bloom City by Pastor Meredith W. Twining of Gillingham. Through the years Gary drove milk truck, worked for Schneider Plumbing & Heating, Coolidge Roofing & Insulating, self employed carpenter & Roofer & also, farm work. Gary was one of those “Jack of all trade”, but master of none.” Gary was known for his love of the outdoors-hunting, fishing, meeting and talking to people, cutting wood, enjoyed playing cards, enjoyed the gift of nature & loved spending time with their pets that he loved so much. Gary & Judy became a member for many years with “Richland County Friends of Animals”. He had a big heart for the animals & also wished that people would have their pets (spayed & neutered). Gary lived a rewarding life & will be missed by those that knew him & are grateful for Gary just being himself.

Gary is survived by his wife Judy Ann Rabine of Yuba; sister Donna Jean (Paul Raphael) Pillard of Texas; a very special God child Chris Crandall.

Gary is preceded in death by his parents, a sister Janice Janet & grandparents Wm. Nelson & Martha Eldora Rabine, who went by Dora.

Funeral Services will be on Saturday, June 12, 2010 at 11:00 AM at the Stafford Funeral Home in Richland Center. Burial will be held in the Sextonville Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Friday, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Stafford Funeral Home in Richland Center and also on Saturday, from 10 AM until the time of services at 11:00 AM. Memorials by be given to Richland County Friends of Animals, Inc, P.O. Box 524, Richland Center, WI 53581. On line condolences can be made at www.staffordfuneralhomes.com

She was born April 12, 1914 on the family farm in Franklin Township – Plain, WI, the daughter of Joseph E. and Elizabeth (Bindl) Needham. She attended and graduated from St. Luke’s High School in 1931. She moved to Spring Green with her parents in 1937 and was united in marriage to Kenneth R. Weitzel Sr. in 1939. Together they operated a service station in Buck Creek, Richland County for two years. They then returned to Spring Green where she spent the remainder of her life. Lorna worked for 33 years at Nina’s Department Store in Spring Green.

Lorna is survived by her son Kenneth R. Weitzel II, Spring Green; a daughter Ruth Ann (Robert ) Berry, Plain; two step granddaughters, Jolene (Gregg) Schulz, Mt. Horeb and Diane (Kris) Lyons, Neenah; two step great-granddaughters Jayna and Erin Schulz; sisters-in-law Betty Burt, Green Bay, Theresa Weitzel, Plain and Winifred Weitzel, Hillpoint; two special nieces Rita (Jim) Kline, Spring Green and Patricia (Ken) Hall, Madison; a special cousin Delores Cords, Ft. Myers, Fl; and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband Kenneth on December 9, 1987; her parents; a sister Irene Besitzsky; a sister-in-law Arlene Speidel; brothers-in-law Harold and Lawrence Weitzel and Roy Besitzsky.

Lorna was particularly proud of her German heritage. Her ancestor Jost Voelkel donated the land for the first Catholic Church in Plain and another ancestor John Weishan laid down thirty dollars as the first mite for the new church. Her great-grandfather Ignatz Bindl donated one of the three bells for St. Luke’s Church and his son (her grandfather) Michael Bindl donated one of the bells at St. John’s Church in Spring Green. She was a member of St. Luke’s Parish in Plain.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in Plain at 11 AM on
Tuesday, June 15, 2010. Visitation will be Tuesday from 10 AM until the time of the service. There will be a private burial service at St. John’s Cemetery in Spring Green.

The family wishes to thank Home Health United Hospice, Dr Jeffrey Collins and the staff at the Plain Medical Clinic for their many years of care; and Father Michael Resop and Sister Lynne Marie for their visits.

Richardson-Stafford Funeral Home in Spring Green is assisting the family with arrangements.

“She was a wonderful mother and a great lady. Her passing leaves an empty place in our lives, but beautiful memories of her will help to ease the pain.”

Marie M. Triggs, age 101 passed away unexpectedly on Friday, June 4, 2010 at the Richland Hospital. She was born on August 11, 1908 in Richland County the daughter of Thomas F. and Mary (Kinney) Murphy. Marie was married on January 21, 1935 to Leo F. Triggs. Marie was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and St. Philip’s Catholic Church. Survivors include 4 children, Mary (Lyle) Rognholt of Blue River, Margaret “Margi” (Mike) Foley of Cottage Grove, Joe (Susan) Triggs of Richland Center and Linda (Mike) Gilman of Marana, AZ, 15 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren, 6 great great grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Leo Triggs, a son and daughter-in-law, Thomas and Carolyn Triggs, 2 brothers, Leo and Francis Murphy. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, June 8, 2010 at 11:00 A.M. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Fr. Emmanuel Famiyeh and Fr. Michael Gorman will concelebrate with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held on Monday, June 7, 2010 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church from 4:00 P.M.-8:00 P.M. and on Tuesday from 10:00 A.M. until the time of Mass. Mothers legacy lives on in the smiles, the memories and the laughter of her loving family and many, many friends. Mary, Margi, Joe and Linda. Stafford Funeral Home in Richland Center is assisting the family with arrangements.

Mary Ann Scott age 71 of Richland Center passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, June 2, 2010. She was born on May 29, 1939 in Melancthon Creek Valley, Northern Richland County, the daughter of Edwin and Agnes (Kaderavek) Slaney. She attended Melancthon Creek School for 8 years, Richland Center High School and then the Richland County Teachers College. Later she received both her BA and Masters Degrees in teaching from UW-Platteville. On June 7, 1958 she married Otis Scott at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Germantown. They had 8 children. Survivors include, her husband Otis Scott of Richland Center, 6 children, Doug (Tina) of Richland Center, Pam (Jim) Brander of Spring Green, John (Barb) of Rogersville, MO, Jane Bodeau of Monroe, Bob (Karen) of Arena and Brian (Barb) of Richland Center, 18 grandchildren, Chris, Tianna, Joe, Katie, Liz, Mary, Anna, Taylor, Josh, Kalen, Ashton, Logan, Lindsay and Levi Scott, Ian, Beth and Erin Brander and Matthew Bodeau, her mother, Agnes Slaney of Melancthon Creek, 5 siblings, Gene (Kathy) Slaney of Melancthon Creek, Eldora (Special friend, Al Trulen) Alexander of Melancthon Creek, John “Jake” (Sandy) Slaney of Merrimac, Robert (Lori) Slaney of Baraboo, Joe (Eunice Ann) Slaney of Fort Atkinson, 2 sisters-in-law, Shirley Slaney of Sauk City and Margaret Mitchell of Cazenovia, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her father, Edwin Slaney, infant twin sons, James Otis and Joseph Lee, a brother, Wilmer “Doc” Slaney, a granddaughter, Rebecca a grandson, Christopher, 2 brothers-in-law, James Alexander and Emil Mitchell, a nephew, Ronnie Mitchell, 2 nieces, Sherry Mitchell-King, and Diane Slaney. She was a former 4-H member and leader and was a devoted long-time educator at Lone Rock, St. Mary’s, Rockbridge and Doudna Elementary Schools, a charter member of Richland County Farm Wives, a state Title I committee member and President of the Melancthon Creek Cemetery Association. A family woman first, she was a loving daughter, wife, mother and grandmother. She enjoyed gardening, preserving, baking and life on the farm. Her favorite past time was time spent with family and friends. She was an avid follower of her grandchildren’s activities. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, June 7, 2010 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Richland Center at 11:00 A.M. Fr. Emmanuel Famiyeh will officiate with burial in the St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery in Melancthon Creek. Visitation will be held on Sunday, June 6, 2010 from 2:00 P.M.-5:00 P.M. at the Stafford Funeral Home and at the church on Monday from 10:00 A.M. until the time of Mass at 11:00 A.M. The Stafford Funeral Home, Richland Center is assisting the family with the arrangements