United States High School Yearbooks by County
Josephine S. Mashensky
Josephine S. Mashensky, age 80, wife of the late Frank Mashensky, formerly of Nunnawauk Meadows in Newtown, Conn., died on August 25, 1999 in Ashlar of Newtown.
She was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. on June 15, 1919, daughter of the late Anthony and Veronica Schimaitis. She was a resident of Newtown for 40 years.
At one time, Mrs. Mashensky was employed by the Dictaphone Co. in Bridgeport, Conn., and later she was employed by Consolidated Controls in Bethel, Conn.
She is survived by one daughter, Ronnie Wilkison of Kissimmee, Fla., and four grandchildren, Joann Tilford, William Wilkison, and Lee and Frank Mashensky.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, noon, at the Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main St., Newtown with the Rev. Steven Gordon officiating. Burial will be in St. Rose Cemetery.
Friends may call on Friday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Robert Siegel
Robert Siegel, 60, owner and president of Berkshire Lighting Gallery of Danbury and the Lighting Gallery of New Milford, died on Thursday morning, August 26, 1999 at the Danbury Hospital.
Mr. Siegel resided at Knollcrest Road in New Fairfield, Conn. and was the husband of Cathy (Spano) Siegel.
Funeral services will take place on Monday at a time to be announced.
Friends will be received on Saturday from 4 to 7 p.m. and on Sunday from 3 to 7 p.m. in the Jowdy-Kane Funeral Home, 9-11 Granville Ave., Danbury.
Memorials in Mr. Siegel's memory may be made to Regional Hospice of Western Connecticut, 30 West St., Danbury, CT 06810.
Sister Marie Ciaccio
Sister Marie Ciaccio died on August 25, 1999 at the Congregation of Notre Dame, 223 West Mountain Road in Ridgefield, Conn. at the age of 66.
Sister Ciaccio was born in Kankakee, Ill. on February 6, 1933, daughter of the late Leo and Rose Lazzara Ciaccio. She graduated in 1950 from St. Joseph Seminary in Kankakee and was first professed in 1953 into the Congregation of Notre Dame religious community. Her final profession was in 1959.
Sister Ciaccio received a Ph.B. in education from DePaul University in Chicago and an M.A. in reading from New York University.
From 1953 to 1968 and from 1972 to 1978, Sister Ciaccio taught in elementary schools in Illinois, Notre Dame School in Chicago, Maternity B.M.V. School in Bourbonnais and St. Martin of Tours and St. Rose School in Kankakee. She also taught 3rd grade at St. Rose Lima School in Short Hills, N.J. from 1965 to 1972.
From 1978 until her retirement to the Congregation of Notre Dame in Ridgefield in 1998, she served as secretary/registrar at Bishop McNamara High School, as social services designer at Kankakee Royal Convalescent Home and as secretary at St. Jean the Baptist High School in New York City.
Sister Ciaccio is survived by an aunt, several cousins and a niece and two nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, 2 p.m., at the Congregation of Notre Dame in Ridgefield. Burial will take place on Monday at 1 p.m. in St. Peter Cemetery.
Friends may call on Friday from 2 to 7:30 p.m. at the Congregation of Notre Dame. A prayer service will be held on Friday at 5 p.m.
The Cornell Memorial Home, 247 White St., Danbury is in charge of arrangements.
James F. Van Kirk
James F. (Jim) Van Kirk, 77, passed away at his home in Alamogordo, N.M. on August 22, 1999.
He was born in Britton, S.D. on November 18, 1921. He attended Northwestern University on a football scholarship.
When World War II began, he was in the U.S. Marine Corps and fought in the Pacific Campaign with the Second (Liberty) Division. He was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received on Saipan.
After the war he settled in the San Luis Valley in southern Colorado, where he enjoyed farming. He was a life member of the Disabled American Veterans, past member of the B.P.O. Elks and a past commander in the American Legion. He served on the Colorado Draft Board during the Vietnam War and was a school board member of the Conejos County School District. He retired in 1989 and moved to Alamogordo, N.M.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Franklin A. and Maude Jacox Van Kirk; his wife of 45 years, Dorothea Smith Van Kirk; and a son, James F. Van Kirk Jr. Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Charles L. and Marsha (Miki) Van Kirk of Alamogordo, N.M.; a daughter and son-in-law, Whilma F. and Tim O'Leary of Bethel, Conn.; a sister, Jeanne Just of Las Cruces, N.M.; a grandson and his wife, Christopher A. and Tammy Van Kirk of Boles Acres, N.M.; a great-grandson, Joshua L. Van Kirk of Alamogordo, N.M.; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Cremation has been requested and graveside services will be held on Wednesday, September 1, 1999, 2 p.m., at the La Jara Cemetery in La Jara, Colo.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Danbury Emblem Club Scholarship Fund.
Dr. William J. Zehrung
William J. Zehrung M.D., 80, of 13 Brown Road in Kent, Conn., the husband of Doris (Ferguson) Zehrung, died on August 24, 1999 in New Milford Hospital.
He was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. on October 24, 1918, the son of the late George J. and Elizabeth (Gamgee) Zehrung. He was a graduate of White Plains High School in White Plains, N.Y. and later Bard College at Columbia University in New York, N.Y.
Dr. Zehrung served in World War II as a First Lieutenant in the Medical Administration Corps in the South Pacific.
He completed his medical training at New York Medical College in 1950, after which he served his internship at Bridgeport Hospital in Bridgeport, Conn. He moved to New Milford, Conn. in 1959 and later to Kent, Conn.
Dr. Zehrung was on the staff of New Milford Hospital for 25 years and had been chief of the anesthesiology department and later served as chief of staff of the hospital. He served as director of health for the town of New Milford from 1970 to 1989, and was active in many civic organizations. He later became chief of the clinic at Wassaic Development Center in Dutchess County, N.Y.
Besides his wife, Dr. Zehrung is survived by a son, William J. Zehrung II, and a daughter-in-law, Sherry (Sankovich) Zehrung. He was Papa Bill to Dorie's 11 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, 11 a.m., at the First Congregational Church of Kent. Interment will be at Morningside Cemetery in Gaylordsville.
Arrangements are by the Lillis Funeral Home, 58 Bridge St., New Milford, Conn.
Contributions in Dr. Zehrung's memory may be made to the Kent Land Trust, Kent, CT 06757.
Paul Peter Molnar
Paul Peter Molnar, 89, of Ashlar of Newtown, died Dec. 3 after a long illness. He was the brother of Helen Molnar.
Born June 27, 1910, in Brooklyn, N.Y., he was a son of August and Mary Molnar. He was educated at Pratt Institute in New York City.
Paul was a member of the Merchant Marines and traveled around the world in ships such as The Constitution and The United States.
He was a member of the 124th Cavalry Division of the United States Army during World War II and joined Merrill's Marauders in their trek through Burma, which was besieged by the Japanese at the time.
Paul retired in the 1960s to live with his sister Helen in Danbury. He loved to walk the streets of Danbury. Paul and his sister traveled widely. The two also visited frequently with their friends, Myrtle and Larry.
Besides his sister, Paul is survived by a step-sister, Marge Molnar of Albany, N.Y.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Sacred Heart Church Monday morning at 10 a.m. Cremation will take place at the convenience of the family. Friends will be received at the Green Funeral Home, 57 Main St., Danbury, Monday morning from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.
Albert George Brozek
Albert George Brozek, 86, of 9 Ditmar Road, Bethel, died Dec. 1, 1999, at his home. He was the husband of the late Teresa (McGovern) Brozek.
Born Nov. 23, 1913, in New York, N.Y., he was a son of the late Joseph and Julia (Powers) Brozek.
Mr. Brozek owned and operated an automobile rental and repair business in Brooklyn, N.Y., for 48 years until the time of his retirement. He had resided in Brooklyn until moving to Bethel in 1976.
Surviving are a nephew, Lawrence Brozek of Plainfield, Ind.; a niece, Mary Jane Waung of Pennsylvania; a sister-in-law, Jane Dooley of Wilkes Barre, Pa.; and several friends and neighbors, including Jill and Greg Shaw of Bethel.
Funeral services will be held at the Green Funeral Home, 57 Main St., Danbury, Tuesday evening at 8 p.m. Burial will take place Wednesday at St. Mary Cemetery, Wilkes Barre, Pa. Friends will be received at the Green Funeral Home Tuesday evening from 7 p.m. to the time of the service.
Contributions in his memory made be made to the Bethel Visiting Nurse Association, 1 School St., Bethel, CT 05801.
Rose C. Vibbert
Rose C. (Tomanio) Vibbert, 72, of Brookfield and formerly a longtime Bethel resident, died Dec. 2, 1999, at Danbury Hospital. She was the wife of the late Albert H. Vibbert.
Born Oct. 18, 1927 in Danbury, she was a daughter of the late John V. and Dina (Migiano) Tomanio.
Mrs. Vibbert was employed by Mario's Deli in Ridgefield and also was employed by the Bethel Board of Education as a service worker at Bethel High School before retirement. She was a longtime member of St. Mary Church, Bethel.
Surviving are three daughters, Lorna Studwell of Gaylordsville, Marion Messner of Denver, Colo., and Kim Vibbert of Laconia, N.H.; two sons, James Vibbert of Bethel and Michael Vibbert of Redding; a brother, Carlo Tomanio of Danbury; 11 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at St. Mary Church, Bethel, Monday morning at 10 a.m. Cremation will take place at the convenience of the family. There are no calling hours. The Green Funeral Home, 57 Main St., Danbury, is in charge of arrangements.
Contributions in her memory may be made to St. Mary Church, 24 Dodgingtown Road, Bethel, CT 06801, or to the Danbury Animal Welfare Society, P.O. Box 971, Danbury, CT 06813.
Wanda A. Cowles
Wanda A. Cowles, 62, of Fort Madison, Iowa, mother of Shala Kisling of New Milford, died Dec. 2 at her home following a brave battle with brain cancer.
Born Feb. 22, 1937, in Elmer, Mo., she was a daughter of Henry Howerton and Daphne Mathis Howerton. Mrs. Cowles had lived in the Dallas City, Ill., and Fort Madison area for the past 40 years. She married Dr. Richard D. Kerr on April 6, 1958, in Fort Madison, and then found happiness and married Hilbert R. Cowles on April 17, 1987, in Nashua, Iowa. She graduated from Columbia Christian College in Columbia, Mo.
Mrs. Cowles was a loving mother and grandmother and will be forever in the hearts of her husband; a son, Scott Kerr of Kansas City, Kan.; two other daughters besides Shala, Stacey Goralczyk of San Diego, Calif., and Stephanie Kerr of Macomb, Ill.; seven grandchildren; three step-sons, two step-daughters, and eight step-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her parents and a sister.
Funeral services will be Monday at 11 a.m. at the King-Lynk Funeral Home in Fort Madison, Iowa, with the Rev. Rich Boyd. Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery, Fort Madison. Friends may call Sunday after noon and from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Contributions may be made to the First Christian Church of Dallas City, Ill.
Maria A. DeSousa
Maria A. DeSousa, 84, formerly of Danbury, died at the Concord Hospital, Concord, New Hampshire, on Tuesday, November 30, 1999.
She was born in Portugal, April 27, 1915, daughter of the late Jose and Rosalina (Marques) Dos Santos. She came to the United States in 1972 and resided here until 1983. Mrs. DeSousa was a retired employee of the Burroughs Manufacturing Company.
She is survived by a son, Antonio DeSousa of Bethel; 4 daughters, Maria Helena Paiva and Maria Fernanda DeSousa, both of Brazil, Maria Fatima Paiva of Portugal and Lee Tomanio of Concord, New Hampshire, with whom she resided; five grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a grandson, Antonio M. DeSousa in 1998.
Funeral services and interment will take place in Portugal. There will be no calling hours. Contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 372 Danbury Road, Suite 159, Wilton, CT 06897. Green Funeral Home, 57 Main St., Danbury, is in charge of arrangements.
Mae Frances Czudak
Mae Frances Czudak, 91, of Rocky Glen Apartments, Danbury, died Monday at Danbury Hospital. Mrs. Czudak was married to the late Matthew Czudak. She was born in Danbury, Connecticut, January 5, 1908, a daughter of George and Clara (Weathall) Hanford. Mrs. Czudak was a lifelong resident of Danbury. She graduated from Danbury High School and worked in Danbury for many years. She is survived by a brother, William Hanford of West Stockbridge, Mass.; 2 nephews, Karl Haeusgen of Woodbury and Michael Jones of Danbury; 4 nieces, Barbara Brown of Port Charlotte, Fla., Laura Jones of Danbury, Karen Pelletier of Northfield and Lorraine Longo of Danbury. Contributions in her memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, 372 Danbury Road, Wilton, CT 06897. A graveside service will be held Saturday, December 11, 1999, at 11 a.m. at the Wooster Cemetery, Danbury. The Tomlinson Homestead, 336 Main Street, Danbury, is in charge of arrangements.
Dora E. Murphy
Dora E. Murphy, age 79, of 82 Castle Hill Road, Newtown, died Dec. 3, 1999, at Danbury Hospital. She was the wife of the late Arthur Murphy. She was born Sept. 5, 1920, in Lynn, MA, a daughter of the late William and Yvonne (Gogan) Legere. A resident of Newtown for 44 years, she and her husband had owned the Murphy Printing Co. in Bridgeport. Most recently, she had been employed by the Newtown Bee. Mrs. Murphy was a communicant of St. Rose of Lima Church, Newtown. She is survived by two sons, Thomas of Newtown and Arthur of Harleysville, PA; eight daughters, Beverly Sykes of So. Portland, ME, Jean Boisvert of Allentown, NH, Eva Reilly of Newtown, Toni Bowes of Gainesville, FL; Faye Murphy of Danbury, Maureen Pressmar of Bethel, Maria Dunn of Princeton, WV, and Michelle Rose of Southbury; a brother, William Legere of Milford; 15 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, Dec. 7, 1999, at 10 a.m. from the Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main St., Newtown, to St. Rose Church for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. Burial in St. Rose Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home Monday from 6 to 9 p.m. Contributions in her memory may be made to Arthritis Associates of CT, 27 Hospital Avenue, Danbury, CT 06810.
Rose R. Iversen
Rose R. Iversen, 80, a longtime resident of Greenwich, CT, passed away in the comforts of her home on Saturday, Dec. 4, 1999 due to natural causes. She was the wife of the late Norman H. Iversen. She was born in Portchester, N.Y., on July 16, 1919, a daughter of the late Ignatz and Mary Vrona Ramanyik. Mrs. Iversen retired as a secretary in the accounting department of the U.S. Tobacco Company after 10 years of service. She was dedicated to many church and community organizations throughout her life. She is survived by a son, Ronald Iversen of Thousand Oaks, Calif.; four daughters, Linda Childress of Vernon, CT, Carol Shilling of Lawrence, KS, Nancy Saggese of Newtown, and Judith Albert of Woodbury; a sister, Lorretta Wissman of Melbourne, FL; 10 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, Dec. 6, 1999, at 11 a.m. at St. Paul's Roman Catholic Church, 84 Sherwood Ave., Greenwich. Friends may call Sunday, Dec. 5 from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Leo P. Gallagher & Son Funeral Home, 31 Arch St., Greenwich. Burial will be held privately. Memorial contributions can be made to Neighbor to Neighbor, 248 East Putnam Avenue, Greenwich. The family asks that a random act of kindness be performed in Rose's memory.
Lester H. Wildman
The death of Lester H. Wildman, of Hickory Street, Danbury, occurred at his home Saturday evening. He was the husband of Noella M. Perusse Wildman.
Born in Danbury October 9, 1915, son of the late Lester and Clara Hoffman Wildman, he lived in the Bethel and Danbury communities all his life.
His marriage to Noella Perusse took place August 31, 1940.
He was a Tool Maker by trade and was employed by Consolidated Controls for 12 years and prior by Risdon Manufacturing, retiring in 1980.
As a young man he was an avid fisherman and hunter and enjoyed field trials with his dog.
Besides his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Charmaine A. McIntyre of Fort Meyers, Fla.; two grandsons, Michael K. Will of Bethel and Debra A. Will of Stamford; two great grandchildren, Iris N. Will and Mitchell C. Will and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at the Cornell Memorial Home, 247 White St., Wednesday morning at 10:00. The Rev. Maurice Piszczatowski, Pastor of Sacred Heart Church will officiate.
Burial will be in Elmwood Cemetery, Bethel.
Friends may call at the Cornell Memorial Home, 247 White St., Monday evening from 6 to 8.
Contributions is his memory may be made to Regional Hospice, 30 West St., Danbury, CT 06810.
