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Leonard Ray Miller, Donald James Shea

Leonard Ray Miller

Leonard Ray Miller, 54, of Manawa, died Tuesday, March 11, 2008, at his home. He was born July 24, 1953, to Raymond and Genevieve (Burchard) Miller at Cedar Falls, Iowa. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of the Vietnam War. He worked at the waste treatment plant in Waterloo.

He enjoyed fishing and spending time with his friends, and most important was spending time with his children.

He is survived by two sons, Shane Miller of Oxford, IA, and Kane Miller of Waupaca; two daughters, Tessa (Pat) Powers of Oxford, IA, and Jessica Delhunt of Waterloo, IA; three grandchildren, Ethan and Kaleb Miller and Alexa Powers; his parents, Raymond and Genevieve Miller of Stout, IA; two brothers, Russ (Pam) Miller of Clarksville, IA, and Dale (Linda) Miller of Cedar Falls, IA; two sisters, Elaine (Dale) Reid of Tennessee and Cindy Lutgen of Cedar Falls, IA; many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by two sons, Nathan and John.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, March 18, at 2 p.m. at the Tomah Baptist Church. Pastor Ronald Tobin will officiate. Burial will be in Mt. Vernon Cemetery in the Town of Tomah with military honors by Grassman-Sowle-Larsen-Senz American Legion Post #201. Relatives and friends are invited to call at the church on Tuesday from noon until the time of the service.

The family requests memorials be sent to Ray Miller, P.O. Box 255, Stout, IA 50613.

The Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Donald James Shea

Donald James Shea, 93, of Sparta, WI, went home to be with Jesus, Thursday, March 13, 2008, surrounded by his children and grandchildren at the Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse, WI.

Don was born in the original family log farmhouse in Lyons Valley to John and Franc (Wells) Shea on Aug. 25, 1914, in which he lived in until his death. His spirit will always remain at the farm.

Knowing he would be going off to war, he and Margaret (Margie) Mensen were married on March 4, 1942, at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Norwalk.

Don was a member of the 82nd Airborne Division (325 Glider Infantry Regt). He took his training at Camp Claiborne, LA and Ft. Bragg, NC. In April 1943, Don landed in North Africa and saw action in the Sicilian Campaign and also took part in the invasion of Italy. He was moved with his division to England in preparation for the invasion of Normandy. He was wounded on June 9 while in action during that invasion. He returned to England to receive treatment, and then he went on to Paris and Germany, returning home to his wife Margie in 1946.

Don and Margie settled into dairy farming and raising sheep. After many years he changed his career to carpentry and beef farming. He became an avid keeper of honeybees and had several bumper honey crops. He loved gardening and always grew an abundant supply of veggies which he helped can and freeze. His favorite was making dill pickles.

Don loved walking through the woods, picking up nuts, hunting, and picking wildflowers and mushrooms. He just loved to work and was always ready to help do something; he helped with haying and threshing well into his 80s. Don enjoyed planting flowers, playing cards, doing jigsaw puzzles, reading and having his family at the farm.

He was a member of the VFW and the Monroe County Sheep Producers Assn.

Donald is survived by his son, James Shea; daughters, Donita Shea (Jerry Mullenberg) and Terry Atkins (Lewis), all of Sparta; grandchildren, Paul (Alice) Kroeger, Jacque Kroeger, Ken (Wanda) Gunter, Jaime Shea (Ryan Mueller) and Brandon (Carrie) Shea; great-grandchildren, Briana Gunter, Jenna Kroeger, Jaydon Koltermann Shea and Grace Kroeger; one sister-in-law, Leone Shea; along with many nieces, nephews and friends.

Donald was preceded in death by his parents, John and Franc Shea; his wife, Margie; sisters, Mabel (Leo) Kowitz and Alice (Orland) Jones; brothers, Allyn (Bea), Joe (Elsie), Dennis, Roger and John Jr.

Memorial Services with full military honors will be held on Monday, March 17, at 1 p.m. at the Torkelson Page-Smith Funeral Home in Sparta. Father Richard Dickman will officiate. Family and friends are invited for visitation on Monday at the funeral home from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.

The Torkelson Page-Smith Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

On line condolences may be offered at www.torkelsonfuneralhomes.com.

Don’s family would like to express deep appreciation for all the support, respect and loving care given by Gundersen Lutheran Hospice staff, Dr. Pace and Dr. Lee.