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Russell Yarrington
STRUM - Russell Wilmer Yarrington, 80, of Strum, died Wednesday, June 6, 2001, at his home.
He was born April 6, 1921, in the town of Modena, Buffalo County, Wis., to Charlie and Emma (Sande) Yarrington.
He married Esther Nelson on October 8, 1949, in Osseo, and together they farmed and raised their family in the town of Clear Creek, Eau Claire Co.
Russell is survived by his wife, Esther; a daughter, Barbara (James) Klug of Alexandria, Minn.; four sons, James (Betty Jo) Yarrington of Pinellas Park, Fla., Donald (Mary) Yarrington of Eleva, Gregory Yarrington of Eleva, and Thomas (Dori) Yarrington of Strum; 14 grandchildren, Shannon and Brian Klug, Kelly Isham, Jamie Dyall, Lauri Plante, Wendy Westermann, Emily Williams, David and Jeanie Yarrington, Ryan and Justin Yarrington, Cheyenne Bilderbeck, and Krystal and Amanda Yarrington; two foster grandchildren, Tabitha and Sabrina; six great-grandchildren; two brothers, Irven (Mary Ann) Yarrington of Nelson and Kenneth (Doris) Yarrington of Racine; five sisters, Helen Krueger of Eau Claire, Violet Yarrington of Eau Claire, Rosella Jensen of Racine, Doris Cuilherrier of Duluth, Minn., and Marlene (Bill) Gourie of Sacramento, Calif.; six sisters-in-law; and three brothers-in-law, on Esther's side.
He was preceded in death by one sister, Lucille Bardill.
Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, June 11, 2001, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Strum, with Rev. Steven Edmiston officiating. Burial will be in Rest Haven Cemetery, Eau Claire.
Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Schiefelbein Funeral Home, Strum, and one hour prior to services at the church on Monday.
Marie Bitter
(8/16/2001)
Marie E. Bitter, 81, of Black River Falls, and formerly of Alma Center, died Thursday, August 16, 2001 in Pine View Care Center. The former Marie Emma Yeskie was born on July 24, 1920 in Melrose, WI, to Fred and Emma (Beck) Yeskie. Marie graduated from Melrose High School in 1938 and Cosmetology School in Eau Claire, in 1939. She and her sister, Irene, then operated a beauty shop in Whitehall. She married Richard Bitter on July 6, 1943 in Vancouver, WA. The couple moved to Alma Center in 1948 where Marie operated a beauty shop from her home for almost 50 years. Richard Bitter died in 1979. Since February 1998, Marie has been a resident of Pine View Terrace, and later, Pine View Care Center. She was a member of the Alma Center United Methodist Church. Marie is survived by a daughter, Jill (Lyle) Ellingson, of Merrillan; a daughter-in-law, Susan Bitter, of West Bend; 5 grandchildren, Cynde (John) Dornuf, of Greendale, Christine Ellingson, of Madison, and Brent, Adam, and Karl Bitter, all of West Bend; a sister, Helen O’Hearn, of Melrose; a brother, Melvin “Boots” (Joyce) Yeskie, of Melrose; a brother-in-law, Willard Bitter, of Riverside, CA; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband, Richard, Marie was preceded in death by her parents, a son, Mark Bitter in 1997, a brother, Leonard Yeskie, and a sister, Irene Megrath. Funeral services will be Sunday, August 19, 2001 at 2 P.M. from the Buswell Funeral Home, Black River Falls. The Rev. Meg Erickson will officiate and burial will be in Riverside Cemetery, Black River Falls. Friends may call at the Buswell Funeral Home on Sunday from 1 P.M. until services.
Bonney L Chatsey
(6/30/01)
Bonney L. Chatsey, 56, of rural Black River Falls (Town of Little Falls, Monroe County) died Saturday, June 30, 2001 in Black River Memorial Hospital. Bonney was born on June 21, 1945 in Beloit. She was adopted and raised by Clark and Esther Chatsey of Beloit. Bonney graduated from Beloit Memorial High School in 1963. She was employed as a maid at the Wagon Wheel Resort of South Beloit, IL, and at various hotels. In addition to having lived in Beloit, Bonney also lived in Milwaukee and Orfordville, before moving to the Town of Little Falls, Monroe County, 13 years ago. Survivors include her friend and companion, Gary Wadel, of rural Black River Falls; a brother, Dean Reynolds, of Margate, FL; and 2 nieces, Melissa Bean, of Margate, FL, and Miranda Reynolds, of Ocala, FL. She was preceded in death by her parents, Clark and Esther Chatsey. Memorial services will be Thursday, July 5, 2001 at 10:30 A.M. from the Buswell Funeral Home, Black River Falls. Burial will be in East Lawn Cemetery, Beloit on Friday, July 6, 2001. Friends may call at the funeral home on Thursday from 9:30 A.M. until services.
Christopher Cooley
(9/4/2001)
Christopher W. Cooley, 24, of Black River Falls, died Tuesday, September 4, 2001 at his home. He was born on June 30, 1977 in Black River Falls to David W. and Mary L. (Diercks) Cooley. Chris was an outstanding athlete and vocal music student at Black River Falls High School. He was an All State football player and had played in the Shrine Bowl. He had lettered in football, baskeball and golf. Chris also enjoyed vocal music and was active in choir, musicals, solo ensemble contests, the Madrigal Singers, and variety shows. Following his graduation from high school, Chris enrolled at Winona State University where he played football for the Warriors. He graduated from Winona State University in December, 2000 with a bachelor of science degree in criminal justice. During summer months, Chris had been employed at Subway, Kwik Trip, and the Bar-B Travel Plaza, all of Black River Falls. He had also served as a camp counselor at Luther Park Bible Park, Chetek. He was a member of the Black River Falls Evangelical Lutheran Church where he had sung in the God’s Children Choir and the Senior Choir. During his high school years, Chris had assisted the church’s Sunday School superintendent and assisted with Sunday School music. Chris loved acting and had roles in the Falls Player’s productions of “Mr. Scrooge” and “The Music Man.” He recently (summer of 2001) had a role in “Man of La Mancha.” Chris also was fond of wakeboarding, water skiing, and video games. His family had recently been notified that Chris had been selected as a Wisconsin runner to carry the 2002 Olympic Torch enroute to Salt Lake City. Chris had a good sense of humor and was always courageous when faced with difficult challenges. He is survived by his parents, David and Mary Cooley, of Black River Falls; 2 sisters, Carrie Cooley, of Eau Claire, and Sarah Cooley, of Black River Falls; a brother, Benjamin Cooley, of Minneapolis; his grandfather, Werner Diercks, of Muscatine, IA; aunts and uncles, Gary (Karen) Diercks, of Muscatine, IA, Robert (Paula) Cooley, of Oconomowoc, Bryan (Donna) Cooley, of Duncanville, TX, Curtis (Susan) Cooley, of Wausau, and Richard (Julie) Cooley, of West Bend; and cousins. He was preceded in death by grandparents, Margaret C. Diercks, Donald Cooley, and Sarah Cooley Erber. Funeral services will be Sunday, September 9, 2001 at 2 P.M. from the Black River Falls Evangelical Lutheran Church. The Rev. Erik Zingelman will officiate and burial will be in Riverside Cemetery, Black River Falls. Friends may call at the Buswell Funeral Home on Saturday from 5 to 8 P.M. and at the church on Sunday from 1 P.M. until services. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers that memorials be given to the Chris Cooley Memorial Fund c/o the Jackson County Bank.
Ruby Dill
(7/5/01)
Ruby Dill, 87, of rural Black River Falls, died Thursday, July 5, 2001 in Harmony Manor, Tomah, where she had lived for the past 2 ½ years. The former Ruby Johnson was in Jackson County, on August 19, 1913 to Winfred and Matilda (Eysnogle) Johnson. She was raised in Jackson County and graduated from Black River Falls High School in 1932 as the class salutatorian. Following her graduation from High School, Ruby attended the Black River Falls Normal School. She later taught elementary school for 7 years at various schools including the Pine Hill and the Oak Ridge Schools. She married Walter R. Dill on May 28, 1938 in Black River Falls. The couple lived and farmed in the Pine Hill area of the Town of Manchester, Jackson County, for many years. Walter Dill died on October 15, 1995. Ruby was employed as the Town Clerk by the Town of Manchester for 33 years. She was a member of the Shamrock Union Church and its Ladies Aid, and the Pine Hill Homemakers. Ruby was fond of vegetable gardening and flower gardening, cooking, reading and writing. She kept a personal diary all of her life. She also was a good listener. Survivors include her daughter, Sharon Hunter, of Waunakee; a granddaughter, Kim Hunter, of Waunakee; 2 grandsons, Steven (Susan) Hunter, of Lodi, and Joseph Hunter, of Monroe; 2 great-grandsons, John Walter Hunter and Neil Harris Hunter; and a sister, Frieda Potter, of Minneapolis. In addition to her husband, Ruby was preceded in death by 2 sisters, Ruth Young and Josephine Greeno; and 2 brothers, Frank and Jess Johnson. Funeral services were Monday, July 9, 2001 at 11 A.M. from the Shamrock Union Church, rural Black River Falls. The Rev. Stan Curtis officiated and burial was in Riverside Cemetery, Black River Falls. Honorary casket bearers were Joe Collins, Clifford “Gib” Gomer, Tremaine Burchard, John Hughes, and Larry Young. Casket bearers were George Uting, Dr. Steven Hegna, Robert Bucholz, David Gebhardt, and Steven and Joseph Hunter. Friends called at the Buswell Funeral Home, Black River Falls, on Sunday from 5 to 8 P.M. and at the church on Monday from 10 A.M. until services.
Julie Emerson
(10/1/2001)
Julie J. Emerson, 56, of rural Black River Falls, died unexpectedly on Monday, October 1, 2001 in Franciscan Skemp Healthcare, La Crosse. The former Julie J. Scofield was born on December 24, 1944 in Black River Falls to Russell and Patricia (Noble) Scofield. She was raised in the Black River Falls area. She married Ralph E. Emerson on June 15, 1963 in Waukegan, IL. The couple lived in Waukegan until moving to Black River Falls in 1965. They later lived in the Allen Creek and Pine Creek areas of Jackson County before building a home in the Spring Creek area. Julie had been employed for 9 years at the Jackson County Iron Mine Company and later for 2 years at Dadco Foods, both of Black River Falls. For the past 15 years she had been employed by Mathy Construction Company of Onalaska as a heavy equipment operator. She also had been a foster mom for several years. Julie’s hobbies included reading, letter writing, cross stitching, nature, animals, and bird watching. She also loved to spend quality time with her grandchildren. She had a great sense of humor and always made her presence known. Julie loved life and loved to laugh. She was a member of the Operating Engineers Union. Survivors include her husband, Ralph, of Black River Falls; 3 daughters, Teresa (Lonnie Herrick) Emerson and Patricia (Thad) Burlingame, both of Merrillan, and Erin (Greg) Goetzka, of Black River Falls; 2 sons, Eric Emerson, of Neillsville, and Christian (Krista) Emerson, of Black River Falls; 6 grandchildren, Erika Herrick, Eli Rave, William Goetzka, Julian Burlingame, and Elaine and Riley Emerson; a sister, Coralyn “Suki” (Charlie Slaght) Casper, of Black River Falls; and a brother, James (Betty) Scofield, of Cape Coral, FL. Julie was preceded in death by her parents. Memorial services will be Saturday, October 6, 2001 at 11 A.M. from the Buswell Funeral Home, Black River Falls. The Rev. Don King will officiate. Friends may call at the Buswell Funeral Home on Friday from 6 to 8 P.M. and on Saturday from 10 A.M. until services.
Marie Fristed
(7/11/01)
Marie A. Fristed, 81, of Black River Falls, died Wednesday, July 11, 2001 in Black River Memorial Hospital. The former Marie A. Finch was born on May 17, 1920 in Melrose to Roy and Tressa (Kenyon) Finch. At the age of 5, she moved with her family to Minnesota. When she was 11, the family moved to Edgar, WI. They later returned to the Melrose area and settled in the Town of Irving. Marie was married to Duane Fitzpatrick and they were later divorced. She married Leo N. Fristed on December 3, 1947 in Webster, WI. The couple lived in Webster from 1947 until moving to Black River Falls in 1951. Marie had been a resident of the Family Heritage Care Center, Black River Falls, since May 31, 2001. Marie was employed by various Black River Falls grocery stores including Waughtal’s, Frederikson’s Meat Market, Al-Min’s, and Don Frei’s IGA. She later was employed at the Black River Memorial Hospital for 20 years, first as a nurses aid, then in central supply, and later as a surgical scrub nurse. She retired in 1981. Marie was a member of the Black River Falls United Methodist Church and the United Methodist Women, the Harmony Homemakers, and the Shear Delight Quilters. Survivors include her husband, Leo; a son, Dale (Linda) Fitzpatrick, of Chippewa Falls; 5 grandchildren, Christine (Randy) Jensen, of Augusta, Bonnie (Christopher) Paladino, of Alexandria, VA, Joe (Erin) Schoenberger, of La Porte City, IA, Tim Fitzpatrick, of Eau Claire, and Michael (Angela) Fitzpatrick, of Waterloo, IA; 24 great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews. Marie was preceded in death by a son, Dean Fitzpatrick; a sister, Doris Morris; and 2 brothers, Ellsworth (“Bud”) Finch and Mark Finch. Funeral services were Saturday, July 14, 2001 at 1 P.M. form the Black River Falls United Methodist Church. The Rev. Thomas Dunham officiated and burial was in the Irving Cemetery, Town of Irving, Jackson County, WI. Casket bearers were Tim Fitzpatrick, Joe Schoenberger, Lynn Finch, Randy Morris, Harland Nickerson, and Richard Fristed. Friends called at the Buswell Funeral Home, Black River Falls, on Friday from 6 to 8 P.M. and at the church on Saturday from noon until services.
Alice Funmaker
(8/2/01)
Alice H. Funmaker, 95, of Black River Falls, died Thursday evening, August 2, 2001 in Pine View Care Center, Black River Falls. The former Alice H. Stacy was born on September 5, 1905 to Henry and Lena (LongThunder) Stacy. She was raised in the Black River Falls area and attended the Indian Schools at Genoa, Nebraska, and Tomah, Wisconsin. She married George Funmaker in 1927 in Black River Falls. The couple lived at Black River Falls most of their married lives and had also lived at Lake Delton and Milwaukee. George Funmaker died on May 8, 1977. Alice had been employed as a laundry worker at a motel in Lake Delton, and at Family Heritage Care Center, Black River Falls. She had also been employed at Fort McCoy during World War II. She was a member of the Ho-Cak United Church of Christ, rural Black River Falls. Survivors include 4 sons, Milton (Catherine Smoke) Funmaker, Max (Eileen) Funmaker, and Mahlon (Joyce) Funmaker, all of Black River Falls, and John (Beth) Funmaker, of Los Angeles, CA; 35 grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren. In addition to her husband, George, Alice was preceded in death by a son, Ronald Funmaker; 3 daughters, Audrey Funmaker, Pearl Wolff and Juanita Beverly; 3 sisters, Viola Stacy, Marie Turner and Doris Funmaker; and 2 brothers, Martin and Mitchell Stacy. Funeral services will be Tuesday, August 7, 2001 at 11 A.M. from the Ho-Cak United Church of Christ Cemetery, rural Black River Falls. The Rev. LeRoy Sua will officiate and burial will be in the church cemetery. Friends may call at the Buswell Funeral Home, Black River Falls, on Monday from 7 to 9 P.M. and at the church on Tuesday from 10 A.M. until services.
Herbert Goodbear
(10/8/2001)
Herbert S. Goodbear, 85, of rural Black River Falls, died Monday, October 8, 2001 in his home. Herb was born on June 2, 1916 in Adams County to William and Edna (Decorah Goodvillage) Goodbear. He was raised in the Adams/Friendship area. As a young man, Herb was employed at a Civilian Conservation Corps camp and later at the Badger Ordinance Works, Baraboo. Herb was a World War II Army veteran and served in the South Pacific. Following his discharge from the Army, Herb became employed in Chicago and later as a welder by Janesville Auto Transport of Janesville. He married the former Exhilda Snowball on November 15, 1951 in Chicago. The couple lived in Chicago for 5 years before moving to Janesville. Following Herb’s retirement, they moved to Black River Falls in 1978. Exhilda Goodbear died on October 7, 1996. Herb was a member of the Andrew Blackhawk American Legion Post #129 and the Disabled American Veterans Post #61. Survivors include 2 daughters, Dorothy Goodbear, of Black River Falls, and Roberta Goodbear, of Eau Claire; 6 sons, William, John, Jeffrey, Michael (Sue), and Greg Goodbear, all of Black River Falls, and Dan Goodbear, of Tennessee; a grandson whom he raised, Robert Goodbear, of Black River Falls; 12 grandchildren; and 6 great-grandchildren. In addition to his wife, Exhilda, Herb was preceded in death by a daughter, Georgia Goodbear, and 5 sisters, Mavis, Leila, Lilac, Violet, and Virginia. Funeral services, with military honors, will be at 12 noon on Wednesday, October 10, 2001 at the GoodVillage Cemetery (Goodbear Family Cemetery), Town of Preston, Adams County. Friends may call at the Herbert Goodbear residence on Wednesday from 9 to 10 A.M. The Buswell Funeral Home, Black River Falls, is serving the family.
Garrett Harmer
(9/21/2001)
Garrett L. Harmer, 30, of La Crosse, and formerly of Black River Falls, died early Friday morning, September 21, 2001 in the Town of Melrose, Jackson County, as the result of a one vehicle car accident. Garrett was born on May 6, 1971 in Black River Falls to Danny L. and Jouita (Brown) Harmer. He was raised in the Black River Falls area and spent most of his life there. For the past 3 years, Garrett has lived in La Crosse. Garrett had been employed by the Ho-Chunk Nation. He currently was attending the Western Wisconsin Technical College in La Crosse. Survivors include his mother, Jouita Orozco, of Black River Falls; his father, Danny L. Harmer, of Black River Falls; 2 half-sisters, Amanda and Lacy Orozco, both of Black River Falls; grandparents, Hollis and Rose Harmer, Dorothy Decorah, and Robert and Edith Hunter, all of Black River Falls; an aunt, LaVerda Richter, of Black River Falls; an uncle, Richie Brown, of Black River Falls; and a special friend, David Orozco, of Black River Falls. Native American Church funeral services were held on Sunday, September 23, 2001 at 2 P.M. from the Ho-Chunk Youth Center, Sand Pillow Village, rural Black River Falls. Norman Snake, Sr. officiated and burial was in the Shamrock Union Cemetery, Town of Manchester, Jackson County. Honorary casket bearers were David Orozco and Richie Brown. Casket bearers were Doug Greengrass, John Blackdeer, Casey Brown, Dean Brown, Bruce Harmer, and Jeff Harrison. Friends called at the Buswell Funeral Home, Black River Falls, on Friday from 7 to 9 P.M. Continuous visitation and Native American Church prayer services were held at the Ho-Chunk Youth Center from 5 P.M. on Saturday until services Sunday.
