Obituaries

Robert M. Chase

Helen M. Mullarkey

Helen M. Mullarkey (picture), age 88, passed away suddenly on Tuesday, April 29, 2008 at St. Mary's Hospital in Madison.

She was born on February 28, 1920 in the Town of Sun Prairie.

She was the daughter of William and Josie Hessler.

She married Daniel Mullarkey on September 6, 1940 in Dubuque, Iowa.

Helen worked for the Wisconsin Porcelain company for over 30 years.

She enjoyed her family. She was a Packer and NASCAR racing fan. In her younger years she loved fishing and going dancing with her Dan.

She is survived by her 2 sons, David (Sharon) Mullarkey of Onalaska, William (Virginia) Mullarkey of Cottage Grove, a sister Alice Polglase of Phoenix, Arizona; 7 grandchildren, David Mullarkey, Jim Mullarkey, Kellie Feiler, Lisa Goihl, Brain Jerue, Tanya St. Clair and Derek St. Clair; 13 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband Dan; her parents; 3 brothers, Harold, David and William Hessler; 2 sisters Ruth "Bobbie" Knight and Grace Frisch and many nieces and nephews

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 3, 2008 at the Tuschen-Newcomer Funeral Home, 302 Columbus Street in Sun Prairie. Monsignor Duane Moellenberndt will preside.

Burial will be in Sun Prairie Memory Gardens Cemetery.

A visitation will be held on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services at the funeral home. She will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved her.

James R. Schwartz
James R. Schwartz, age 86, died on Monday, April 28, 2008 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison.

He was born on August 12, 1921 in Menomonie and was the son of Benjamin and Freida (Oestreich) Schwartz.

He married Arlene Lidtke on July 7, 1945 in Oakland, California.

He served in the U.S. Navy during WWII on the U.S.S. Monadnock.

Jim worked for many years for the State of Wisconsin in the printing division until his retirement.

He is survived by his wife Arlene, 4 children, Barbara (Gary) Meier of Waupun, Michael (Shelley) Schwartz of Sun Prairie, Julie (Larry) Ties of Galena, Illinois, Mark (Becky) Schwartz of Sun Prairie; 8 grandchildren, Jaime (Christopher) George, Christopher Meier, Dawn and Ken Schwartz, Ashley and Amanda Ties, Megan Miller, and Daniel Schwartz; a brother Donald Schwartz of Elkhart, Indiana.

He is preceded in death by his parents, a sister Irmgard Derivan, 6 brothers, Ed, Art, Paul and Dave, and 2 infant brothers and grandson Adam Ties.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, May 2, 2008 at Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Catholic Church, 227 Columbus St. in Sun Prairie with Father Michael Radowicz presiding.

Burial will be held at Sun Prairie Memory Gardens Cemetery where graveside military rites will be held.

A visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services at the church on Friday.

The family suggests in lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Sacred Hearts Building and Grounds Fund.

Tuschen-Newcomer Funeral Home
Sun Prairie, WI
837-5400

Susan Ellen Chase
Susan Ellen Chase (picture), age 64, died on Thursday, April 2, 2008, at Meadowmere, an assisted living facility in Madison.

Born on June 25, 1943, Susan was the third daughter of Ted & Marcella (Doloan) Chase of Sun Prairie.

She was a graduate of Edgewood High School, Class of 1961. She attended St. Mary's Dominican College, New Orleans, LA and was a lifetime learner.

She was married to John B. Deans in Bethel Park, Pa. Although they were divorced after fifteen years of marriage, they remained special friends until the day he died.

Created one of God's "free spirits," Susan followed her own path. Reaching out to many of those who really needed some extra help, she shared whatever she had.

Susan found strength in prayer and the beauty of creation. Her belief in the Lord and an afterlife were firm. She has a passion for ministry and serving the church and deeply regretted that in later years, her poor health robbed her of the chance to give what she wanted to the Lord.

Susan is survived by a very special grandson, R.J. Stefco of Pittsburgh, PA; her siblings, David (Jan) Chase, Sun Prairie, Nancy (Jack) McMahon, Sun Prairie, Byron (special friend Jen) Chase, Madison, and Theodore (Cindy) Chase, Sun Prairie; aunts, Edna Lyster, Sun Prairie and Charlotte Anthon, Orlando, FL; as well as her precious dog, Thumbelina.

In addition, she leaves behind many loving nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Preceding her in death were her parents, her former husband, sister Diane Chase Worzala, brother-in-law, Frank Worzala and her special dog Missile.

As Susan wished there will be no funeral.

The family would like to especially thank the wonderful people at Hospice who brought comfort to Susan's last days and suggest that any wishing to remember Susan in a special way do so by contributing to their favorite charity in Susan's memory or to Hospice.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service 1310 Emerald Terrace Sun Prairie, WI.

Dorothy Robbins Croake
Dorothy Lucille Robbins Croake (picture), 98, died April 16, 2008, at St. Mary's Care Center, Madison, Wisconsin.

Dorothy was a proud parent, doting grandmother and great-grandmother, accomplished homemaker, successful businesswoman, devoted church leader, and avid golfer and bridge player.

Dorothy was born December 16, 1909, on a farm near Kirkland, Illinois, the youngest of five children of Ethel Clare Roach Robbins and James Henry Robbins.

When she was three years old, her parents moved their family to Janesville, Wisconsin, where Dorothy lived for the next 60 years.

After receiving her elementary education in a one-room country school, Dorothy attended Janesville High School, from which she graduated in February 1926. She then went to work in the international department of the Parker Pen Company and remained there for more than a decade.

During these years, she was elected president of the Janesville Junior Chamber of Commerce.

On October 27, 1926, she was married to Willard Martin Croake at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Janesville. Known as "Bill," Mr. Croake was the oldest child of longtime Janesville residents Francis Patrick "Frank" Croak and Mary Ellen "Mame" Quirk Croak. Bill died in February 1966.

On June 6, 1971, Dorothy was married to David M. Cox, with whom she moved to San Antonio, Texas in 1973.

In these retirement years, Dorothy took up old loves, golf and travel, and new ones as well--attending the San Antonio Symphony Orchestra and playing duplicate bridge. The latter preserved and stimulated her always lively mind and spurred the growth of a circle of new friends in San Antonio.

David preceded Dorothy in death.

Dorothy returned to southern Wisconsin in 1998, living near her younger son, Paul, in Sun Prairie, first independently, and then in assisted living at Meadowmere on Burke Road and at St. Mary's Care Center in Madison.

Dorothy is survived by three children: Richard Martin Croake (Edith Morris), Ann Arbor, Michigan; Susan Mary Croake Gray (Steven Gray), also of Ann Arbor, Michigan; and Paul Allen Croake (Denise Christensen), Sun Prairie.

She is also survived by eight grandchildren, Caitlin Croake, Sarah Croake, Scott Thiele (Nichole), Christopher, Katherine Croake, John Paul Croake, Joanna Scavone, and Patrick Croake.

Dorothy was proud that they live and work not only in the Midwest (Detroit, Chicago, and Minneapolis), but also in New York City, Washington, D.C., and London, England.

Dorothy is further survived by four great-grandchildren, Mandy, Marya, Trent, and Sophia Thiele.

When her children were growing up, Dorothy employed her innate sense of style to great effect in interior decorating, sewing, and gardening.

Following in the footsteps of Bill's father's family, which had been active in the early growth of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Janesville, Dorothy and Bill were among the parishioners who played a leadership role in establishing St. John Vianney Catholic Church, also in Janesville.

As her children grew older, Dorothy resumed working outside the home and achieved considerable success in educational sales for Field Enterprises Educational Corporation, Chicago, publishers of The World Book Encyclopedia and Childcraft.

A strong believer in the value of education in general and her products in particular, Dorothy's enthusiasm and interpersonal skills led to ever-increasing sales and appointment to successive managerial positions.

When she retired to Texas, Dorothy was a district manager responsible for some 80 salespeople in south central Wisconsin.

Among Dorothy's most enduring characteristics were her optimism and her zest for living--qualities that no doubt helped her to live to an age greater than any of her ancestors, surpassing the record of 93 years set by her paternal grandfather.

In her last years, Dorothy frequently remarked: "When I wake up in the morning, I'm glad to be alive, and I look forward to the unfolding of a new day."

The days of her family members and friends will be much less interesting and rewarding without her.

Dorothy was also predeceased by her siblings, Eula Bobzien, Alice Bennett, Grace Splinter, and Floyd Robbins.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 19, 2008, at 11:00 am, at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, 550 Lincoln Drive, Sun Prairie with a visitation from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Rev. Dr. David J. Berggren will officiate.

Dorothy will be buried beside her husband, Bill Croake, in Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Janesville.

Dorothy's family extends special thanks to the St. Mary's Care Center-Nakoma staff, and to Bette McCaulley of Dean Health for the loving care they provided to Dorothy.

Jerome S. Larson
Jerome S. Larson (picture), age 83, died on Thursday, April 3, 2008 at an assisted living facility in Jacksonville, Florida.

He was born in Park Falls on December 5, 1924 and was the son of Jesse and Grace (Tripp) Larson.

He married Lucille Kessler on November 11, 1950 at St. Patrick�s Catholic Church in Cottage Grove.

He worked for many years for the Dane County Highway Department until his retirement.

He was a Marine veteran of WW II. He was a member of the American Legion Post #333.

He is survived by his daughter, Patricia (Scott) Dinkel of Jacksonville, Florida; 3 grandchildren, Scott Jr., Matthew and Erin; brothers, Paul (Arlene) of Lodi and Sherlock of Sun Prairie, and sisters, June (LaVerne) Seekings of Portland, New York, Jesse Seekings of Amarillo, Texas and Dorothy (Duane) Larson of Madison.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Lucille, brother, Edmund and sister, Elaine Weber. In 2005, he moved to Orange Park Florida with his daughter, son-in-law and three grandchildren, where he lived with them and enjoyed family outings to theme parks, restaurants and beaches.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 9, 2008 at Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Catholic Church 227 Columbus St. in Sun Prairie with Michael Radowicz presiding.

Burial will be held at Sacred Hearts Cemetery where graveside military rites will be held.

A visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 8, 2008 at the Tuschen-Newcomer Funeral Home 302 Columbus St. in Sun Prairie Tuschen-Newcomer Funeral Home Sun Prairie, WI 608-837-5400

Troy D. Youngs
Troy D. Youngs (picture), age 31, died on Wednesday, March 26, 2008 at University Hospitals in Madison after a long battle with Cystic Fibrosis. 

He was born on March 4, 1977 in Columbus and was the son of Barbara (Thiele) Youngs and Russell Youngs.

Troy was an avid fan of NASCAR, Dale Jr. and the Wisconsin Badgers.

Survivors include his parents, Barbara (Thiele) Youngs of Portage and Russell of Hixton; a brother Brian (Stacy) of Rio; nieces Brooke and Savannah of Rio; his paternal grandparents, Harold and Myrtle Youngs of Cambria; maternal grandparent Mrs. Edward Thiele of Portage; aunts, uncles, relatives and friends. 

He was preceded in death by his brother Kevin, an uncle, David Youngs, an aunt, Debra Farrell and grandparent Edward Thiele.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 29, 2008 at the Prairie Springs Church, 2340 Manley Drive in Sun Prairie. Pastor Terry Pauley will preside. 

Burial will be in Hillside Cemetery in Columbus. 

A visitation will be held on Friday, March 28, 2008, from 4 until 8 p.m. at the church.

Troy will be greatly missed by his family and friends

Tuschen-Newcomer Funeral Home
Sun Prairie,  608-837-5400

Marvin C. Mellom
Marvin C. Mellom (picture), age 79, died on Tuesday, March 25, 2008 at St. Mary's Hospital in Madison.

He was born on December 9, 1928 in Viola Township in Vernon County.

He was the son of Frank and Delsa (Dixon) Mellom.

He married Virginia Duschack on May 29, 1954 at Sacred Hearts Catholic Church.

Marvin moved to Sun Prairie in 1953 after serving 3 and one half years in the U.S. Army in Italy during the Korean Conflict. He then went to work for the Sun Prairie Canning Factory where he met his wife of 54 years. He then worked for the Wisconsin Porcelain Company for 39 years as a Kiln Fireman.

He was a member of the Sun Prairie American Legion Post #333.

He is survived by his wife, Virginia; 5 children, Claire (Dick) Jones of Waterloo, Kathleen (Scott) Baumann of Sun Prairie, Michael (Dawn) of Cottage Grove, Barbara (Jeff) Rullman, and Heidi (Scott) Kittle both of Sun Prairie; 9 grandchildren, Ashley and Trent Jones, Pamela and Kelly Kittle, Connor and Kaitlyn Mellom, Nathan and Natalie Rullman, Seth Baumann; 2 sisters-in-law, Bernice Motl and Elaine (Robert) Weisensel both of Sun Prairie. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, a sister, a grandchild and brother-in-law.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 29, 2008 at Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Catholic Church, 227 Columbus Street in Sun Prairie with Monsignor Duane Moellenberndt presiding.

Burial will be at Sacred Hearts Cemetery where graveside military rites will be held.

A visitation will be held on Friday, March 28, 2008 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Tuschen-Newcomer Funeral Home, 302 Columbus Street in Sun Prairie.

The family suggests in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to Sacred Hearts School Endowment Fund.

The family would like to thank the Willows and Nazareth House Nursing Homes and St. Mary's Hospital for Marvin's care.

Tuschen-Newcomer Funeral Home Sun Prairie, WI 608-837-5400

Shirley M. (Pride) Henderson
Shirley M. (Pride) Henderson (picture), age 85, passed away on
February 22, 2008.

Shirley was born on December 17, 1922, in Medford, MA, the daughter of Ira and Gertrude Pride. She was a graduate of Katherine Gibbs Secretarial School in Boston, MA.

On September 12, 1942 she was united in marriage to Kenneth Henderson.

Throughout Shirley's career she held secretarial positions at Tufts University, The Toledo Hospital, and the Mount Prospect, Illinois School System. She and Ken completed their business lives as owners of Henderson's Stationers in Winchester, MA. She often liked to mention the reason for their success was that she stayed out of the store and he stayed out of the office.

After retirement, she and Ken traveled extensively in their motor home. Along with traveling in their motor home, Shirley enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles, needlework, and volunteering in Acadia National Park in Bar Harbor, ME.

Shirley is survived by her sons, Tom (Jane), Sun Prairie and Scott, Las Vegas; son-in-law Jack Childs, Orlando, FL; grandchildren, Dan (Tracy) Henderson, Sun Prairie, Brian Childs, Orlando, FL, and Megan (Jason) Baber, Jacksonville, FL; four great grandchildren, Zack and Jake Henderson and Alexis and Jonathan Baber; extended family Dorothy Schuch, Mary Beth and Roy Swenson, and Dan Dettmann; and special friends, Joyce Palladino, Green Bay and Char Mueller, Las Vegas.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Ken; daughter Kenley and sisters Grace and Betty.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to Dr. Leo Shug, the Hospice staff, especially Sherri Olson and Jill Weimer; and the loving staff of Prairie Gardens, her home for the past four years.

A private family celebration of Shirley's life will be held at a later date.

Memorials may be made to HospiceCare, Inc.

Donna M. Korenic
Donna M. Korenic, age 77, passed away unexpectedly at her home on February 15, 2008.

She was born on June 9, 1930 in Chicago, IL, the daughter of Michael & Stella (Kosinski) Harbutt.

She was united in marriage to Emil W. Korenic on June 10, 1948 in Chicago, Ill and they would have celebrated 60 years of marriage this summer.

Mrs. Korenic moved to Madison from Chicago in 1952, after living in Wisconsin from 1952-1972, moved to California and returned to Sun Prairie in 2005 to be near family and friends.

She had many interests/hobbies including knitting, weaving, gardening, reading, antiquing, listening to country and Cajun music, and baking bread, but her greatest enjoyment came from spending time with her family.

Mrs. Korenic will be missed by her beloved family including her husband, Emil of Sun Prairie; her children, Weslynn Korenic, Sun Prairie, Lynette (Jerome Reif) Korenic, Madison, Jeff (Debra) Korenic, Sun Prairie and Dave (Cheryl) Korenic, Sun Prairie; her grandchildren, Chanley (Christopher) Webber, Carli (Michael) Thiede, Carie Knable, Cale Korenic, Katie Korenic and Alexander Korenic; great grandchildren, Gavin Knable, Jake & Casey Webber and Riley Thiede; her Mother, Stella Harbutt, Bloomingdale, IL; her brother Dean (Beverly) Harbutt, Medina, IL; sister-in-law, Lillian Daniel, West Linn, Oregon; other relatives and many friends also mourn her passing.

She was preceded in death by her father.

A funeral service celebrating her life will be held on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. at the Cress Funeral Home, 1310 Emerald Terrace, Sun Prairie.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday at the funeral home from 1:00 p.m. until the time of service.

She will be dearly missed but remembered forever by family and friends.