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Edward M. Barry, Jack D. Deaver, Sr.

Edward M. Barry

Edward M. Barry, 88, of Black River Falls and formerly of Tomah, died Sunday, Oct. 4, 2009, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, La Crosse. He was born April 5, 1921, to Gilbert and Rose (Krenn) Barry in the Township of La Grange, Monroe County, WI.

He was united in marriage to Bernice Jahn, June 20, 1938, at Tomah. Last year Ed and Bernice celebrated over 70 years of marriage together. She preceded him in death Sept. 21, 2008. He was a devoted and faithful lifelong member of St. Mary’s Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Tomah. Edward was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. He was a member of Grassman-Sowle-Larsen-Senz American Legion Post #201 and a past member of the Curtis-McNutt VFW Post #1382. Edward worked as a salesman for Bubnich Motors in Tomah for 32 years.

He is survived by two sons Jahn “Jack” of Middleton, and James (Judie) of Cygnet, Ohio; two daughters, Barbara Brandell of Anchorage, Alaska, and Lois (Rhande) Murray of Black River Falls; 14 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren; two sisters, Sylvia Ebert of La Crosse and Beverly (Marvin) Sage of Onalaska; a sister-in-law, Jeannette Barry of Tomah; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Bernice; two grandsons, Jason Barry and Todd Warnke; a brother, Bernard Barry, and a sister, Lauretta Lowe.

A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, Oct. 9, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 303 W. Monroe St. Tomah. The Very Rev. Steven J. Kachel will officiate. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery with military honors by Grassman-Sowle-Larsen-Senz American Legion Post #201.

Relatives and friends are invited to call on Friday at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. The Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home, Tomah, is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Jack D. Deaver, Sr.

Jack D. Deaver Sr., 50, of Sparta, WI, died at his home, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2009.

Jack was born Dec. 2, 1958, in West Longbranch, NJ, to Claude Benjamin and Gladys (Thaine) Deaver.

Jack is survived by his wife, Demetria; his five children, Jack Deaver Jr. of Wilton, Krystal Ferrara of Sparta, Tiegan Cottrill of Tomah, Alexandria Deaver of Tomah, and Seth Deaver of Tomah; one brother, Claude (Irene) Deaver of Lobelville, TN; one grandson, Elijiah Ray Deaver; a step-daughter, Francesca Ditzler; along with many other friends and family.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents; and one brother, Richard Deaver.

A memorial service to celebrate Jack’s life will be held, Saturday, Oct. 10, from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. at 4743 County Road BC, Sparta. The Torkelson Page-Smith Funeral Home of Sparta is assisting the family with arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred. Online condolences may be offered at, www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.

Lynn E. Nichols

Lynn E. “Sam” Nichols, age 83, of Sparta, WI, passed away on Thursday, Oct. 1, 2009, at the Tomah VA Medical Center. He was born on Oct. 7, 1925, to Edward and Lela (Gahler) Nichols in La Crosse, WI.

Lynn served in the United States Marines in WWII and was a Master Sergeant of Carlson’s Raiders. He was awarded a Purple Heart after being wounded on Iwo Jima. He worked at Larkin’s Auto in the Auto Body Shop, retiring at the age of 77 for health reasons. He loved hunting, fishing and traveling to Wyoming on an annual trip. He also enjoyed restoring old cars and especially airplanes. One of his favorite pastimes was taking car rides through the country both with his family and on his own.

He is survived by his children, Bill Hathcock of Roseburg, OR, Steve Hathcock of South Padre, TX, Edward (Theresa) Nichols of Sparta, Samuel Nichols of Sparta, Barbara Schedler of Sparta, Mary (Dale) Jensen of Woodville, WI, Jean (Ken) Powers of Elbow Lake, MN, and Ellen Nichols of La Crosse; 19 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren; brothers, Gerry (Carol) Nichols of Green Bay and Tom (Bev) Nichols of Melbourne, FL; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and his first wife, Theresa Nichols, and his second wife, Emilie Nichols.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Oct. 10, at 11 a.m. at the Torkelson Page-Smith Funeral Home in Sparta. Rev. Terry Marg will officiate. Family and friends are invited for visitation on Saturday from 9 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home. Memorials may be given to the Freedom Honor Flight Association, P.O. Box 505, La Crosse, WI 54601. The Torkelson Page-Smith Funeral Home of Sparta is assisting the family with arrangements.

Online condolences are available at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.