John S. Kis

John S. Kis, 88, passed away on Friday, March 19, 2010, at WFH-All Saints.

John was born in Racine to the late John and Sophie (nee: Kowbel) Kis on August 10, 1921, and lived his entire life in Racine. He was united in marriage to Ione (nee: Carpenter) on June 27, 1945. He was employed for many years as a plant manager at Webster Electric. John was a member of St. Edward’s Church and enjoyed fishing and swimming.

John is survived by his wife, Ione; three sons, John (Kathy) Kis, Robert (Barb) Kis, and Gary (Laurie) Kis; one daughter, Nancy (Thomas) Stougaard; nine grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

A memorial service for John Kis will be held at the funeral home on Wednesday, March 24, 2010, at 11 a.m. Relatives and friends may meet with the family at the funeral home on Wednesday from 9 a.m. until the time of service. Inurnment will be held at Graceland Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in memory of John may be directed to the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin.

The family would like to thank Dr. Desiree Dizadji, Dr. Margot Vloka, the staff at Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare- All Saints, and Wheaton Franciscan Home Health and Hospice for their kind and compassionate care of John.

Wilson Funeral Home
1212 Lathrop Ave., Racine 262-634-3361

Eva 'Vanjel' Zuniga

Ms. Eva Zuniga, 78, passed away on Thursday, March 18, 2010, at her daughter’s residence.

Eva was born on September 1, 1931, to Pedro and Hilaria (nee: Islas) Zuniga in Cd. Camargo, Tamps. Mexico. She then lived in Racine for many years. Eva was a devoted member of Cristo Rey Parish who enjoyed cooking, farming, and above all was a loving grandmother to all her grandchildren.

Eva is survived by her two daughters, Jennieta (Peter) Cortez and Diane Rodriguez; grandchildren, Samuel, Judith, Priscilla, Alexis and Reyna; great-grandchildren, Brianna, Arrabella, Isiah, Yessenia, Ricardo “Jr”, and Jazzmin; two sisters, Patricia Galaviz of San Marcos, TX, and Ramona (Manuel) Zenteno of Pasadena, TX, and many nieces, nephews, and friends. She was preceded in death by Dominga Rivera, Pedro Zuniga, and Vicenta Zuinga.

Funeral Services for Eva will be held at Wilson Funeral Home on Thursday March 25, 2010, at 11 a.m. Interment will be held at Graceland Cemetery. Relatives and friends may meet with the family on Thursday from 9 a.m. until the time of service.

Special thanks to Josefina (Pepa) Toscano for the loving care she gave Eva over three years. The family would also like to thank Dr. Michael Mullane and Dr. Sridevi Manne for their compassionate care.

Wilson Funeral Home
1212 Lathrop Ave., Racine 262-634-3361

Paula J. (Krueger) Vojtko

Paula Jane Vojtko (Nee: Krueger), age 53, passed away unexpectedly Thursday, March 18, 2010, at Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital. Paula was born in Waupaca, WI, September 18, 1956, daughter of the late Paul and Carla (Nee: Miller) Krueger.

Paula was raised in Kenosha and graduated from Tremper High School “Class of 1975.” She had been employed in the transportation industry for many years. On December 14, 1985, she was united in marriage in Racine to James A. Vojtko. Paula was a talented artist in beadwork and knitting and will be remembered for her zest for life. She had been a loyal friend to many who enjoyed her sense of humor, easy-going personality and eagerness to help. Above all, she was a devoted wife and mother who will be dearly missed.

Surviving are her husband, Jim; her beloved daughter, Kate; sister, Shirley (Jeff) Warnock of Kenosha; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Lynda and Tom Quella of Necedah; stepson Doug (Becky) Vojtko of Racine; niece, Candi Quella; cousins, relatives and many dear friends.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 27, 2010, at 11 a.m. at the Maresh-Meredith and Acklam Funeral Home with Rev. Brad Van Fossen officiating. Relatives and friends may meet with the family Saturday at the funeral home from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the staff at Froedtert Hospital for their loving and compassionate care.

MARESH-MEREDITH & ACKLAM FUNERAL HOME
803 Main St., Racine (262) 634-7888

Branimir Petrovic

Branimir Petrovic, 77, died unexpectedly at Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare on Wednesday, March 17, 2010.

Branimir was born in Kragujevac, Serbia, on September 29, 1932, to Milos and Rajna Ivanic Petrovic. He married Milanka Jovanovic and immigrated to the United States with his family on May 25, 1968. Branimir worked as a machinist for Twin Disc until his retirement in 1997. He enjoyed gardening and served as treasurer of the church for the past 10 years.

Branimir is survived by his wife Milanka Petrovic; son, Michael (Barbara) Petrovic; grandchildren, Elizabeth and Thomas Petrovic: sister, Bosa Jankovic and her family; and brothers, Borisav Petrovic and Tomislav Petrovic and their families. He is also survived by cousins and other relatives in Serbia. Branimir was preceded in death by his parents.

Prayers will start at 9 a.m. Monday, March 22, 2010, in the funeral home followed by procession to St. George Serbian Orthodox Church, 826 State St., for services at 10 a.m. with Fr. Dragan Metrovic officiating. Interment ceremony will be held at Gracanica Serbian Monastery Cemetery in Third Lake, IL. Relatives and friends may meet with the family at the funeral home on Sunday Evening from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. The Mali Pomen will be held at 7 p.m.

Purath-Strand Funeral Home & Crematory
3915 Douglas Ave., Racine (262) 639-800

Kenneth W. 'Bill' Nelson

Kenneth William “Bill” Nelson, age 74, passed away early Tuesday morning, March 16, 2010, at his residence. Kenneth was born in Racine on May 31, 1935, son of the late Charles W. and Aileen (nee: Kohtanen) Nelson.

He attended Washington Park High School. During the Korean Conflict, Bill served in the U.S. Navy. Bill married the former Sally E. Hinen. He was self employed as a denture technician for many years. He will be dearly missed.

Survivors include his wife, Sally; children, Wendy (Dave) Smith, Wade Mitchell; grandchildren, Alexis Smith (Rich), Adam Smith (Rachel); brothers, Ray (Jean) Nelson, Allen (Angie) Nelson; sister-in-law, Betty Nelson, all of Racine; brother-in-law, Dennis (Karen) Hinen of Nashville, TN; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. In addition to his parents, Bill was also preceded in death by his step-daughter, Tori Mitchell; brother, Glenn; sister, Kathy Nelson; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Harold and Peg Hinen.

Private family services will be held with interment to be held at Graceland Cemetery.

The family extends a special thank you to Dr. Michael Mullane and his staff for all of their loving and compassionate care.

MARESH-MEREDITH & ACKLAM FUNERAL HOME
803 Main St., Racine (262) 634-7888

Michael William Beth

Michael W. Beth, 50, left this world unexpectedly at his home on Monday, March 15, 2010.

Michael was born in Racine to Elmer and Evelyn (nee: Hansen) Beth on December 2, 1959, and lived his entire life in Racine. He attended Hansche Elementary School and graduated from Park High School in 1975. After high school, he worked at Chrysler for over 30 years.

Mike enjoyed cooking, especially for cookouts, and loved spending time with his pet dogs. He excelled at repairing anything that needed fixing, including his “Sideway Walker,” a Chevy Blazer.

Mike is survived by his mother, Evelyn; four sisters, Dorothy Clark, Sandy Jackson, Roberta (Ken) Klingenmeyer and Judy (Bruce) Blaser; his brother, Brian (Carla) Beth; special friend, Barb Barth; and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Elmer William Beth; and two brothers-in-law, Ed Clark and James Jackson.

Funeral services for Michael will be held at the funeral home on Friday, March 19, 2010, at 11 a.m. with Rev. Holly Anderle officiating. Interment will follow at West Lawn Memorial Park. Relatives and friends may meet with the family at the funeral home on Thursday, March 18, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. and Friday from 10 a.m. until the time of service.

Wilson Funeral Home
1212 Lathrop Ave., Racine 262-634-3361

Roland Joseph Preeshl

Roland Joseph Preeshl, 90, passed away at Bickford in Oswego, IL, on March 15, 2010.

Roland was born in Glenwood City, WI, on July 18, 1919, to the late Joseph F. and Viola (nee: Cornellissen) Preeshl. He lived in Racine for over 50 years. He was united in marriage to the former Jeanne D. Purdy in LaCrosse on September 14, 1940. They were married for 62 years before she passed away on March 20, 2003. He served in the United States Army (1303 Army Corp of Engineers, Gen. Patton’s Mighty Midgets). He was co-owner with Bernie Odders of Odders and Co, retiring in 1964.

He was a member of St. Lucy Catholic Church, 4th degree Knights of Columbus, enjoyed needlepoint, and woodworking, building beautiful furniture. He made Racine his home while here working on the construction of the Johnson Wax tower designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.

He is survived by one daughter and son-in-law, Penny (Tom) Bredemeier of Oswego, IL; three grandsons, Ben (Jenny) Bredemeier, Ryan (Tiffany) Desmond, Nick Desmond; two great-grandchildren, Jacob Desmond and Emily Bredemeier; one brother, Jim (Lois) Preeshl of Onalaska, WI; and one sister-in-law, Marilyn Carroll of LaCrosse, WI. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Debra Jean Wilken,in January 2000; and three brothers, David, Robert and Richard Preeshl.

Funeral services will be held at St. Lucy’s Catholic Church, 3101 Drexel Ave., on Tuesday, March 23, 2010, at 11 a.m. with Fr. Mark Jones officiating. Relatives and friends may meet with the family at the church on Tuesday from 9 a.m. until the time of service. Entombment will be held at Calvary Cemetery on Wednesday, March 24, 2010, at 1 p.m. Memorials in memory of Mr. Preeshl to Badger Association for the Blind have been suggested.

Wilson Funeral Home
1212 Lathrop Ave., Racine 262-634-3361