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Ethel M. Berg, Elizabeth “Betty” J. Hericks, Gary L. Smith,

Ethel M. Berg

Ethel M. Berg, age 86, of Tomah, WI, passed on Monday, June 15, 2009, at her home. She was born Dec. 6, 1922, to Carl and Minnie (Anderson) Berg in Tomah.

Ethel was a 1941 graduate of Tomah High School. She spent her working years with the telephone company. She was a faithful member of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church.

Ethel is survived by her nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Minnie; her siblings, Raymond, Clarence, Gordon, Doris and Lorna.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, June 19, at 11 a.m. at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church. Pastor William Rice will officiate. Burial will follow in Oak Grove Cemetery, Tomah. Family and friends are invited for visitation on Friday from 10 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.

Elizabeth “Betty” J. Hericks

Elizabeth “Betty” J. Hericks, 83, of Wilton, died peacefully on Sunday, June 14, 2009, at the Tomah Health Care Center. She was born Jan. 12, 1926, to Louis and Blanche (Barry) Schindler. She was united in marriage to Clement Hericks in April of 1944 at St. John The Baptist Catholic Church in Wilton. She was a faithful member of St. John The Baptist Catholic Church and a member of the P.C.C.W. She was also a member of the Wilton American Legion Auxiliary. She worked as a waitress at the Wilton Cafe and the IGA Store in Wilton for several years. She worked at the Naval Recruiting Center in Tomah. Betty loved to play cards - every chance she got! She was a great cook and dessert maker and could crochet an afghan for a gift in no time at all. She was a great mom, grandmother and great-grandmother.

She is survived by two sons, Thomas (Jane) of Tomah and William (a special friend April) of New Richmond; three daughters, Shirley (Morlan) Sebranek of West Salem, Patricia (Bob) Gnewikow of Wilton and Jeanne (Jeff) Dopson of Kendall; a daughter-in-law, Roxanne Hericks of Tomah, and a son-in-law, Robert Gruen of Wilton; 19 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson; a sister, Mary Lou (Tom) Schlegel of Tomah, and a sister-in-law, Jerri Schindler of Rockford, IL, many other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, Karen Gruen; two sons, Jerry and Bob; a son-in-law, Mark Burch; two brothers, Jim and Joe, and a sister-in-law, Wilma Schindler.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held today (Thursday), June 18, at 11 a.m. at St. John The Baptist Catholic Church, Wilton, with Rev. Richard C. Dickman officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery.

Relatives and friends called at the church on Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m. and today from 10 a.m. until time of the service.

The Smith-Nelson Funeral Home, Wilton, assisted the family with the arrangements.

“Keep the Shiny Side Up, Mom.”

Gary L. Smith

Gary L. Smith, 60, of Sparta, died, Monday, June 15, 2009, at his home. He was born Oct. 1, 1948, to Donald E. Smith and Wanda (Smith) Smith in Shenandoah, IA. He was united in marriage to Alice Olson on July 14, 1973, at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Sparta. He attended the San Pedro High School, CA. He was a member of the United States Army proudly serving his country as a motor transportation operator, with two tours of duty during the Vietnam War. Gary worked 28 years as a supply technician at the Tomah VA Medical Center retiring in December of 2004.

He enjoyed fishing, hunting, collecting coins and spending time with his precious grandchildren Turner and Madeline. He was a loving father, grandfather and friend and will be sadly missed by those who loved him.

He is survived by his son, Ryan Smith of Sparta; three daughters, Tara (Tom) Campbell, Angie (Trent) Ziegler and Alissa Smith all of Sparta; two grandchildren, Turner Campbell and Madeline Ziegler; a sister, Marjorie Perkins, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

A Memorial Service will held on Friday, June 19, at 8 p.m. at the Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home, 801 E. Monowau St., Tomah. Pastor Jeffery Miller will officiate. Relatives and friends are invited to call on Friday from 4 p.m. until the time of the service.