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Harold W. Richards, Reva Anne Riley

Harold W. Richards

Harold W. Richards, 69, of Tomah, died Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2009, surrounded by his family at the Tomah Veterans Administration Center. He was born Dec. 8, 1939, to Walter and Elizabeth (Heimbecker) Richards in Dane, WI. He graduated from Lodi High School in 1958. He served as the Lodi High School class president in 1958 and the class vice president in 1955, 1956 and 1957. Harold farmed in Dane before entering the United States Army. He proudly served his country during the Berlin Crisis and later in the U.S. Army Reserves. His military career brought him to Tomah where he met his future wife, Carol Larson, while recuperating at the Tomah VA Medical Center. Harold and Carol were united in marriage on April 27, 1968, at the Tomah Baptist Church. Together, they farmed on Jacksonville Pass for over 20 years. This is where they raised their daughters, Karen, Kathy and Sherylnn. As a young man Harold was very involved with farming and agriculture. He was the recipient of the Leadership Award and the Outstanding Senior Agriculture Boy in 1958. He had a great love for farming. He especially enjoyed being involved with the farming communities around the Tomah and surrounding areas. He also enjoyed his Amish friends and neighbors. Along with farming, he drove cattle truck and worked as the “cow puncher” for the Brandau Auction Barn in Kendall for many years. Due to numerous health problems, Harold frequently visited the VA Medical Center. With these visits he made many lifelong friends. He was a devoted member of the Tomah Baptist Church. He was a member of the D.A.V. and the Grassman-Sowle-Larsen-Senz American Legion Post #201. Harold’s greatest passion was his family. Along with raising his children and grandchildren, he found time to help and nurture many nephews and other young men and children. He trusted in Jesus Christ as his personal Savior and his hope is in the Lord for salvation. He will be sadly missed by his wife, family and his many friends.

He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Carol; daughters, Karen (James) Otto of Tomah, Kathy (Jeremy) Henry of Tobaccoville, NC, and Sherylnn (Jeff) Fowler of LeSueur, MN; four grandchildren, Ruth-Anne Joy Otto, Silas Richard Henry, Titus Steven Henry, Isaiah Benjamin Rickert, and one grandchild on the way; a brother, Marvin (Audrae) Richards of Dane, WI; four sisters, Ruby (Bob) Boniface of Darien, Marge (Marcel) Ripp of Lodi, Alice Georgeson (special friend Brian) of Dane, and Marilyn Richards of Waunakee; his father-in-law, Claude “Bud” (Vivian) Larson of Rockford, IL; three sisters-in-law, Linda Cordell of East Peoria, IL, Judy (Paul) Fernandez of Rock Springs, WY, and Joanne (Robert) Kibbe of Crowley, TX; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Janice Marcum, and a brother-in-law, Leon Cordell.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, Oct. 10, at 10 a.m. at the Tomah Baptist Church. Pastor Ronald Tobin will officiate. Burial will be at 2:45 p.m. at the Dane Emmanuel Lutheran Cemetery, Dane, WI, with military honors.

Relatives and friends are invited call on Friday at the Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home, 801 E. Monowau St., from 4 to 8 p.m.. and at the church on Saturday from 9 a.m. until the time of the service.

Reva Anne Riley

Reva Anne Riley, 76, of Shawano, formerly of Kendall, WI died October 9, 2009 at Maple Lane Health care Center in Shawano. She was born October 24, 1932 to Joseph and Glennie (Newkirk) Bunk in Kendall. She moved with her family to Rockford, IL, and was a member of the Rockford West High School graduating class of 1950. Reva graduated from St. Mary’s School of Nursing in Madison in 1953. She worked as a delivery room nurse at St. Anthony’s Hospital in Rockford. She was united in marriage to Charles Thomas Riley on October 24, 1959 at Rockford, IL. He preceded her in death on July 21, 1984. They lived in the Kendall area for most of their married life. Reva resumed her nursing career in 1974 and worked at the VA Hospital in Tomah until her retirement in 1995. She enjoyed cooking, gardening, quilting and knitting. She was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Kendall and a member of the Alter Society, St. Anne’s Circle. She was a devoted wife, a loving mother, grandmother, and friend.

She is survived by 8 children, Denise Riley (Dan Fritter) of Shawano, Dianne Riley (Harlan Wills) of Cottage Grove, Michael Riley of Fountain Valley, CA, Margaret Riley of New York City, NY, Daniel Riley (Tina McCracken) of Wilton, Kathleen (Tim) Kosch of Kaukauna, Patrick Riley of Phoenix, AZ, Jack (Dana) Riley of Oconomowoc; 13 grandchildren, Mark Fritter of Shawano, Kelly Fritter of Appleton, Bridget Riley of Hillsboro, Corey Riley of Kendall, Dana Riley of La Crosse, Allison Riley of Kendall, Jake and Meghan Wills of Cottage Grove, Jed Kosch and Isaac Kosch of Kaukauna, Connor Riley and Nolan Riley of Oconomowoc, and Charles Riley-Shireman of New York City, NY; a sister Veronica (Wally) Gayle of Rockford, IL, three brothers Leonard (Geri) Bunk of Rockford, IL,

John (Judy) Bunk of Rockford, IL, and

David (Glenda) Bunk of Tomah, 2 sisters-in-law Eileen (Charles) Remington of Union Center, and Patricia Bunk of Eau Claire, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives and friends. In addition to her parents and husband she was preceded in death by her son Thomas, and her brother Dennis.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, October 14, 2009, 11:00 A.M. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 301 Spring St. Kendall, WI. Father Richard C. Dickman will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Relatives and friends are invited to call at the church on Tuesday from 5 P.M. to 7 P.M. and at the church on Wednesday from 10:00 A.M. until the time of service.

The Smith-Nelson Funeral Home of Kendall is assisting the family with the arrangements.

The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Maple Lane Healthcare Center for the exceptional care that they provided for Mother over the last four and a half years.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial gift to the Alzheimer’s Association or the St. Mary’s School of Nursing Alumni Association.