Tomah Journal - Obituaries

Joseph C. Allen, James W. Arndt, Thomas J. Trainor, June J. Winchel

Joseph C. Allen

Joseph C. Allen, age 77, of Tomah, WI, passed away on Monday, Jan. 21, 2008, at the Tomah VA Medical Center in Tomah. He was born on March 19, 1930, to Henry and Noni Allen in New Haven, CT.

He served in the United States Air Force. Joe was united in marriage to Sally O’Shea on Aug. 11, 1956, in El Cajon, CA.

He is survived by his wife, Sally of Tomah; his children, Chuck (Teresa) Allen of Reno, NV, and Eileen (Frank) Dibenedetto of Tomah; grandchildren, Bailey and Sheldon Allen of Reno, NV, and Missy and Sarah Dibenedetto of Tomah; his brothers, Doug (Linda) Allen and Roy (Jean) Allen, all of California; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, Jan. 28, at 10 a.m. at St. Mary Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Tomah. The Very Rev. Steven J. Kachel will officiate. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Tomah. Family and friends are invited for visitation on Sunday, Jan. 27, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. with a 6:45 p.m. prayer service at the Torkelson Funeral Home in Tomah. Family and friends are also invited for visitation on Monday from 9 a.m. until the time of service at the church. The Torkelson Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

James W. Arndt

James W. Arndt, age 78, of Tomah, died Saturday, Jan. 19, 2008, at his son’s home in Rothschild. He was born April 19, 1929, in Wilton to Hugo and Clara (Radke) Arndt. He married Janice Steinke on June 1, 1951, at Wilton. In prior years, he farmed in the Wilton area and managed the creamery at Hoffman Corners. For many years he worked for the Chrysler Corp in Belvidere, IL, and as parts manager at Belvidere Motors. Most recently, he worked for Norris-Vernier Automotive in Tomah.

He is survived by three sons: James (Maureen) of Blairstown, IA, Jay (Barb) of Rothschild, WI, Jerry (Nonnie) of Chili, WI; four grandchildren, Andrew, Benjamin, Logan and Ethan; five brothers: Bernard (Betty) of Wilton, Verne (Marie) of Hustler, Martin (Julitta), Hugo (Mary Ann) and Leonard (Dixie), all of Wilton; three sisters: Lois (Gordon) O’Rourke of Wilton, Ethel (Don) Dechant of Sparta and Arlis (Larry) Ballwahn of Wilton; a sister-in-law, Judy Arndt of Wilton; many nieces, nephews other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Hugo and Clara Arndt, and his brother, Carl Arndt.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, Jan 23, at 11 a.m. at St. Paul ‘s Lutheran Church in Wilton. Pastor Brad Hubbard from Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Weston officiated. Burial will be at a later date. Relatives and friends called at the Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home, 801 E. Monowau St., Tomah, on Tuesday from 4 until 8 p.m. and at the church on Wednesday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service.

Thomas J. Trainor

Thomas J. Trainor, 88, of Eau Claire and formerly of Tomah, then Black River Falls, died Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2008, at Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire after a long battle with cancer. He was born in Palatine, IL, July 2, 1919, to Thomas and Elizabeth Trainor. On May 15, 1946, he was united in marriage to Iva K. Roller, and that union was blessed with eight children.

He is survived by his children, Mary of Milwaukee, Thomas G. of Spring Green, Martin (Vicki) of Sparta, Kathleen Hauge of Sioux Falls, SD, Scott of Oakdale, Tammy (Rick) Ashmore of Rockland, and Kelley (Terry) Hirschuber of Onalaska; grandchildren Tracey Finch, Heidi Trainor, Ruby Trainor, Joshua Jacobson, Shane, Shawn and Sheldon Hauge, Tiffany Trainor, Tyler, Tania and Rhiley Ashmore, Felicia Warner and Tanner Hirschuber; great-grandchildren Nicholas and Tiffany Leczcynski, Ryan Finch, Devon and Aliyah Trainor, and a great-great-grandson, Dawson Brueggeman.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Francis Trainor-Waltman, and a son, David M. Trainor.

A celebration of life gathering will take place from 3 to 8 p.m. Monday, March 17 (St. Patrick’s Day), at The Augusta Lions Hall in Augusta. All are invited to attend.

June J. Winchel

June J. Winchel, age 79, of Tomah, died Jan. 17, 2008, at Rolling Hills Rehabilitation Center, Sparta, after a long illness. She was born Feb. 12, 1928, to August and Ruth (Roberts) Russe in New York City, NY. She was united in marriage to Lewis Winchel on Jan. 15, 1948, at St. Mary’s Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. He preceded her in death in 1972. She graduated from Tomah High School.

She is survived by her children, Terry (Lisa) Winchel of Tomah, Annette Landmann of Madison, Kay (Frank) Betts of Tomah and Dennis (Debra) Winchel of Tomah; nine grandchildren, Jason Winchel of Kenosha, Brett (Sarah) Winchel of St. Louis, MO, Mackenzie Winchel of Portland, OR, Christopher Landmann of Madison, Paul Betts of Minneapolis, MN, Neil Betts and Nic Betts, both of Tomah, and Ryan Winchel and Lewis Winchel, both of Tomah; two great-granddaughters, Makenna and Malia Winchel; sisters-in-law, Vernie Vandervort and Ermegeane Baldwin, both of Tomah; other relatives and friends.

In addition to her husband Lewis, she was preceded in death by her parents, August and Ruth, and her step-father, Carl Giesler.

A private family funeral service was held on Tuesday, Jan. 22. Burial was in St. Mary’s church cemetery.

The Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home assisted the family with the arrangements.