Story originally printed in the Tomah Journal or online at www.tomahjournal.com

Published - Sunday, April 27, 2008

Pasquale “Pat” Ippolito, Rev. J. David McCallum, Ruby R. Sanborn, Duane P. Schumacher, William S. Severson, Jr.

Pasquale “Pat” Ippolito

Pasquale “Pat” Ippolito, 79, of Leola, PA, passed away on Friday, April 18, 2008, at the Lancaster General Hospital, Lancaster, PA, after a brief illness. He was the beloved husband of Janice Marie (Kantz) McCann Ippolito (who was formerly of Wisconsin) with whom he wed March 17, 1979. Born July 29, 1928, in Newark, NJ, he was the son of the late Carl and Mary Ippolito.

Pat began studying piano at the age of 6. He became a professional who played in such places as Las Vegas, Lake Tahoe, and Los Angeles.

He had great talent in both classical and jazz music. Later as a young man, Pat studied with Lenny Tristano, who was a well-known pianist. As he furthered his career, he played with Art Tatum, another genius on the piano. With all his success, he became Jerry Colonna’s (Bob Hope’s sidekick) private pianist. Pat was well respected in the jazz field. For the past 12 years he had been playing part-time at The Restaurant At Doneckers in Ephrata.

Besides his wife, Pat is survived by his children: Terry McCann, husband of Donna (Jacq) McCann of Hawthorne, NJ, Tammy (McCann) Wilbur, wife of James Wilbur of Oceanport, NJ, Troy McCann, husband of Nayomi (Davenport) McCann of Phoenix, AZ, Trent Ippolito, husband of Sherry (Williams) Ippolito of Mineral Springs, PA; eight grandchildren and nine brothers and sisters. He was preceded in death by a sister and a brother.

A funeral Mass was on Wednesday April 23, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, New Holland, PA. Interment in Wisconsin will be at the family’s convenience. Furman Home for Funerals, Leola, PA.

Rev. J. David McCallum

The Rev. J. David McCallum, age 83, passed away on Monday, April 14, 2008, at Tomah Memorial Hospital. Father McCallum’s service as a priest in the Episcopal Church spanned more than half a century. A proud Scotsman, he was widely recognized as an outstanding pastor and teacher.

“Father David”, as everyone called him, was born on Feb. 24, 1925, in Hackensack, NJ, to William and Claire Jean (Cogswell) McCallum. Following service in the Army during World War II, he studied for Holy Orders and was ordained to the priesthood in November 1953. He began his ministry in the small town of Galena, KS. Later, he served as Vicar of the Church of the Epiphany in Grandview, MO, and as Rector of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Kansas City, MO.

Father David spent 14 years as a missionary to the Mosquito Indians on the eastern coast of the Republic of Nicaragua in Central America. There he created a medical clinic, a collective farm and a seminary. His ministry included traveling Nicaragua’s Atlantic Coast into rivers and jungle streams in his small motorboat, which he nicknamed “The African Queen,” to serve his flock. He always said the jungle was an odd place for a man who was terrified of snakes. After being wounded at the start of the Nicaraguan revolution, he commandeered a truck that he used to save the lives of many of his neighbors and parishioners.

After returning to the United States, Father David served as Vicar of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Sparta and assisted at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Tomah and as Canon to the Ordinary for the Diocese of Eau Claire. He was affiliated with the Episcopal Order of the Holy Cross, a Benedictine Anglican monastic community. Father David was well-known for his charm, wry sense of humor and his love of a good party - especially if it included dancing. He will perhaps best be remembered for his ability to tell a good story.

Father David received a Bachelor of Arts degree at Rutgers University and a Bachelor of Divinity from the Philadelphia Divinity School. In 1973 he was awarded a Doctorate of Divinity degree. He served in the United States Army infantry in World War II, was wounded and received a Purple Heart.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 26, at 11 a.m. at Grace Episcopal Church, E4357 451st Ave., Menomonie, WI. Memorial donations may be made to Grace Episcopal Church. Rev. Dale Klitzke will officiate. A simple memorial service will also be held on April 30, at 6:30 p.m. at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Tomah. Rev. John Ambelang will officiate.

The Torkelson Funeral Home of Tomah is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences are available at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.

Ruby R. Sanborn

Ruby R. Sanborn, 90, of Warrens, died Tuesday, April 22, 2008, at Rolling Hills Rehabilitation Center in Sparta. She was born April 19, 1918, to Joseph and Thressa (Hubert) Englerth in the Town of Sheldon, Monroe County. She was united in marriage to Everett Sanborn on Oct. 2, 1937, at St. Matthew Ev. Lutheran Church South Ridge. She was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Wilton, and St. Matthew Ev. Lutheran Church, Kirby. They lived on a farm near Wilton for over 30 years. They were hardworking farmers all their lives, with Ruby working right along with Everett. In 1974, they moved to a farm north of Tomah in the Kirby area. Together they entered Rolling Hills late in the year of 2005.

Ruby worked at the VA Hospital for 10 years in the sewing room.

She was a member of the Monroe County Homemakers for over 50 years, serving as president of the Past and Present officers for several years. She was president of Ladies Aid at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Kirby for several years. She frequently arranged the altar flowers at the church from her own garden. She was also a member of the Tomah Hospital Auxiliary and volunteered for the RSVP. She was an excellent quilter. She embroidered and hand-quilted many quilts over the years. She won prizes in the Warrens Cranfest Quilt Contest as well as other quilting contests. She enjoyed her grandchildren, gardening, berry picking, tending to her flowers, fishing and playing cards.

She is survived by two sons, Everett Jr. (Vivian) of Kendall and Howard (Sharon) of Sparta; a beloved daughter-in-law, Dianne (Larry) Clark of Sparta; four grandsons, Daniel of Kendall, Brian (Zandra) of Sparta, Scott of Onalaska and Mark (Dawn) of La Crosse; two granddaughters, Cathie Sanborn of Kendall and Melisa (Brian) Henze of Norwalk; four great-grandchildren, Breanna, Zoe and Scotty Sanborn and Briana Henze; three sisters-in-law, Elna Englerth of Ontario, Elnor (Tom) Stone of San Diego, CA, and Bea (Morris) Sanborn of Gays Mills; two nephews, Harlan Englerth and David Raabe; other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Everett; a granddaughter, Connie; her brother, Lawrence “Bud” Englerth; and three sisters, Alice (Ray) O’Leary, Evelyn Raabe and an infant sister.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, April 25, at 11 a.m. at St. Matthew Ev. Lutheran Church, Kirby. Pastor Phillip M. Enderle will officiate. Burial will be in St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery at Wilton. Relatives and friends are invited to call at the Sonnenburg Family Funeral, 801 E. Monowau St., Tomah, today (Thursday) from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. and at the church on Friday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service.

The family requests memorials be given to St. Matthew Ev. Lutheran Church, Kirby, or the American Red Cross.

Duane P. Schumacher

MADISON - Duane P. Schumacher, age 73, died from pancreatic cancer on Friday, April 19, 2008, surrounded at his bedside by his family. Duane was born on Nov. 28, 1934, in Norwalk WI, to Rose and Al Schumacher.

Duane graduated from the UW-Madison with an undergraduate degree in 1958. He then went on to enlist in the Army for two years and served in the Korean War. After his active duty expired, he then returned to the Madison area and attended law school again at UW-Madison. In 1961, Duane began working for what is now Dewitt Ross and Stevens; he soon became well respected by both clients and colleagues alike and was admired for his exceptional work and his integrity. His practice focused on estate planning, probate and business law and at one time was one of the named partners. In 2007, he was named one of the best lawyers in America. Duane was a member of the Madison Curling Club for more than 25 years and participated in International Bonspeils in Scotland in the mid-1990s. There is nothing that made Duane happier than spending time at his lakefront home, playing endless games of bocce ball and croquet with family and friends. He was a fierce competitor who enjoyed the mental challenges and camaraderie of participating in sports and games. Duane embraced life and inspired others; his bright smile and infectious laugh will be held dear to those who knew and loved him. As of late, Duane was able to spend cherished time with his beloved wife Cindy of 40 years watching for the “green flash” at their home in Florida. Those times will always be held dear. We will miss you Dad, Grandpa, Dewey, the Dewmeister!

Duane is survived by his loving wife, Cindy; daughters, Amy (BJ) of Fitchburg and Beth (Todd) Wunderlin of Cottage Grove; son, Scott (Jessica) of Fitchburg; grandchildren: Caleb, Trevor, Jack, Ellie and Sydney; mother, Rose; and brothers: Calvin, Darryl and Kenneth. His father Alfred preceded him in death.

A visitation was held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 22, at Cress Funeral Home, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison. A memorial service was held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 23, at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 602 Everglade Dr., Madison, with a visitation held one hour prior to the service. All memorials and contributions may be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, 2141 Rosecrans Ave., Suite 7000, El Segundo, CA 90245, www.Pancan.org. or to the Madison Curling Club, 4802 Marsh Road, McFarland, WI 53558.

Psalm 30:5 Weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.

The Cress Funeral & Cremation Service, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison, WI, 608-238-3434, www.cressfuneralservice.com, assisted the family with arrangements.

William S. Severson, Jr.

William S. Severson Jr., 62, of Tomah and formerly of La Crosse, died Sunday, April 20, 2008, at the VA Medical Center in Tomah. He was born Dec. 23, 1945, to William and Margaret (Johnston) Severson in Glascow, Scotland.

He honorably served in the U.S. Army from 1968 to 1970. William was a faithful and devoted Catholic, and proud of his Scottish heritage.

The love and pride of his life was his daughter Sara. He was a very gentle and compassionate man, especially when it came to children. He made consistent and regular donations to Feed The Children. He enjoyed listening to music, especially the Beatles. He was a very excellent and talented writer.

He is survived by his loving daughter, Sara Severson of La Crosse; a sister, Mary (Myron) Lamprich of Holmen; a brother-in-law, Paul “Bud” Whillock of Trempealeau; an aunt, Cleone Dickson of La Crosse; several nieces and nephews, eight great-nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Margaret, and his father, Bill; a sister, Annie, and a brother, Pete.

Funeral services were held today (Thursday), April 24, at 10 a.m. at The Cathedral of Saint Joseph the Workman Marian Chapel, La Crosse. Father Michael J. Gorman officiated. Entombment with military honors was in Oak Grove Cemetery, La Crosse.

Family and friends called at the cathedral from 9 a.m. until the time of the service.

Memorials in memory of William may be sent to Feed The Children, P.O. Box 36, Oklahoma City, OK 73101, more information @ feedthechildren.org.

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

All stories copyright 2006 Tomah Journal and other attributed sources.