Tomah Journal - Obituaries

Arnold J. Bailey, Mary L. Beller, Edward (Ed) Towne

Arnold J. Bailey

Arnold J. Bailey, age 75, of Tomah, WI, passed away on Wednesday, May 28, 2008, at the Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse, WI. He was born May 31, 1932, to William and Vera (Schmasow) Bailey in the Town of Grant, Monroe County, WI. Arnold lived on the home farm until age 15 when he joined the railroad and worked in Montana, Washington and Minneapolis. He served his country in the Korean War where he earned a Purple Heart.

He was united in marriage to Helen Goetz in 1958; they later divorced. Arnold worked at the Tomah VA Hospital for 30 years. He was an active member of the DAV, VFW and American Legion, serving in the military honor guard. He enjoyed his retirement and remained active by fishing with his best friend and brother, Bill. He also enjoyed spending time with his family and grandchildren.

He is survived by his children, Debra (Paul) Hoffman of Ann Arbor, MI, Nancy Bailey of Elroy, Lori Bailey of Tomah, Wanda (Peter) Thorson of Tomah, Joanne (Greg) Peterson of Waterloo; grandchildren, Joshua Allison of Tomah, Kaelyn, Adam, Scott and Ryan Thorson of Tomah, Kendra, Ethan and Wyatt Peterson of Waterloo, and Kai Hoffman of Ann Arbor, MI; siblings, Alvera (Lawrence) Honel of Tulsa, OK, John (Aleda) Bailey of New Lisbon, Mary (Dave) Corlette of Wauwatosa, Dorothy (Jerry) Struck of Fredonia, Donald (Doris) Bailey of Menomonee Falls, William Bailey of Tomah, and Margaret Bradbury of St. Charles, MO; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his son Kevin and an infant daughter; two sisters, Bernice Finnigan and Bernadine Sonnenberg; and three brothers, Bernard, Earl and LeRoy Bailey.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, June 2, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Tomah. The Very Rev. Steven J. Kachel will officiate. Burial with full military honors by the Tomah VFW #1382 will follow in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Tomah. Family and friends are invited for visitation on Sunday, June 1, from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m. at the Torkelson Funeral Home in Tomah. Family and friends are also invited for visitation on Monday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service at the church. The Torkelson Funeral Home of Tomah is assisting the family with arrangements.

Online condolences are available at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.

Mary L. Beller

Mary L. Beller, 74 of Camp Douglas, died Saturday, May 31, 2008 at the Franciscan Skemp Healthcare Center in La Crosse. She was born April 16, 1934 to Andrew and Ruth (Panter) Krohn in Wisconsin Rapids. She was united in marriage to Charles Beller on April 25, 1953 in Wisconsin Rapids. He preceded her in death on February 27, 2000.They farmed the family farm in Diamond Valley until her retirement in 1993. She was a member of the Sweetheart Swingers Square Dance Club and an active and faithful member of the Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Tomah.

She is survived by a daughter Lani (Gary) Stanek of Winneconne, a son William Beller of Camp Douglas, 5 grandchildren, Tennille (Andy) Peterson of Appleton, Andrea (Rick) Jaeckels of Chilton, Adam Stanek of Sheboygan, Heather (Brent) Stello of Mindoro, and Jessica (Paul) Ueeck of Tomah, 5 great-grandchildren, Reeve, Brooks, Bennett Peterson all of Appleton, Reagan Jaeckels of Chilton, MaKayla Ueeck of Tomah and a soon to be expected great-grandchild, a brother Jim (Emmy) Krohn of Wisconsin Rapids, a sister-in-law Fern Krohn of Wisconsinsin Rapids and a very special lifetime friend Sue Johnson. She is further survived by other nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband Charles, a brother Jerry Krohn, two brothers-in-law Arnold (Dorothy) Jahn and Arnold (Gladys) Beller.

A Funeral service will be held Tuesday, June 3, 2008, 11 a.m. at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 310 W. Elizabeth St. Tomah. Pastor William L. Rice will officiate. Burial will be in the Camp Douglas Village Cemetery in Camp Douglas.

Relative and friends are invite to call on Monday from 5 until 8 p.m. at the Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home, and at the church on Tuesday from 10:00 A.M. until the time of the service.

A Prayer service will be held Monday evening at 8 p.m.

Memorials in Mary’s name may be given to the Gloria Dei Lutheran Church.

Edward (Ed) Towne

Edward (Ed) Towne, age 59, of LaValle, passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, May 30, 2008, after a short battle with cancer. Edward was surrounded by his loving family. Edward was born on April 9, 1949, in Reedsburg, WI, the son of Harold and Margaret (Stout) Towne.

He is survived by his loving wife of 35 years, Patricia of LaValle; four children, Susan (Terry) Raupp of Popular Grove, IL, Tony Keichinger and Terry Keene of Camp Douglas, Rebecca (Kurt) Rhinehart of Mauston and Jeremy ‘George’ (Vicky) Towne of Capron, IL; his mother-in-law, Mary Gnewikow of Oakdale; nine very special grandchildren; two very special great-grandchildren; eight brothers, Roger (Linda) Towne, Terry (Evelyn) Towne, Dick (Rosemary) Towne, Bill (Sue) Towne, Merten (Linda) Towne, Theodore Towne, Justin Towne and Adrain (Rita) Towne; nine sisters: Judy Bennett, Iris Olson, Hope (Jim) Bennett, Joy Batten, Juanda (Devon) Howe, Roxanne (Fred) Zinke, Veronica Gonzalaz, Rosalinda (Kim) Bahwahn and Brenda Towne; one uncle, Russell (Ruby) Towne; many nieces, nephews along with other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Marty; a sister, Doris; his father-in-law, Harvey Gnewikow, and a brother-in-law, Grant Doyle.

Funeral services will be conducted on Monday, June 2, at 11 a.m. in the United Methodist Church, Wonewoc, with Pastor Steve Ward officiating. Burial will follow in Potters Cemetery, Summit Township. Friends may call on Sunday from 4-8 p.m. at the Thompson Funeral Home in Wonewoc and again at the church on Monday from 10 a.m. until the time of service. The family requests memorials of remembrance in lieu of flowers for their Relay for Life Team. There will be a fellowship luncheon following the service back at the church.

The Thompson Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.