Obituaries

Boyd F. Johnson

VERONA/FT. MYERS FL–Boyd Frank Johnson, age 75, passed away July 23, 2020. He was born the son of Sype and Ethel Johnson in Rockford, IL. Boyd is survived by his brother Dennis Johnson of Roswell, GA, sister-in-law Diane Johnson, nephew Cliff Johnson, niece Denise Robins, and a grand-nephew Garrett Robins.  

STURGEON BAY–Barbara M. (Tagge) Asher, of Sturgeon Bay, passed away unexpectedly on July 30, 2020 at the age of 77.  Barb was born November 3, 1942, in Green Bay to Roger Tagge and Agnes (Kustka) Tagge. She graduated from Sturgeon Bay High School in 1960. Barb went on to earn her Professional Nursing Diploma from Walther Memorial Hospital in Chicago, IL in 1963.  

Barbara grew up at the Tagge Tavern (now the Stage Road Inn) as an only child and attended school in a one room school until high school. She played in the apple and cherry orchards and helped her mother in the dining room of the Tavern, and years after the Tavern has enjoyed new owners, it’s remained a beloved meeting place for the Asher family. 

Barb met Ken Asher in high school and they began dating in 1961. On Nov. 2, 1963, they married in Sturgeon Bay and remained happily together for 47 years until his death in 2010.  They have two children, Jill and Scott. 

MIDDLETON–Sharon Ann Wachholz died July 16, 2020. Sherry was born January 23, 1949 in Manitowoc, the first child of five to Norman and Dorothy Dirkman Wachholz. Sherry had a long challenge with depression and more lately Parkinson’s. Sherry is survived by her husband, Robert Chapman and his daughters, Amber Andrianokos (husband Jim), Kathleen Espich, (husband Sam) and granddaughters Morgan, Taylor, and Shawna; mother, Dorothy Wachholz; aunts, Dolores Dirkman and Dorothy Bouril; uncle, Steve Clingan and family; sister, Pat Woytal (husband Terry and sons Wade, Jay, and Craig); brother, John Wachholz (wife Mary and daughter Amanda and son Ben); sister, Sue Westphal (husband John and daughters Kristin and Katlin); and sister, Sandra “Sam” Wachholz (partner Ron Bilansky). She is survived by many extended family and numerous close friends in Wisconsin and Englewood, FL.

CROSS PLAINS/ MADISON–John Paul Peterson, age 94, passed away peacefully on July 16, 2020, in his home at Oakwood Village, Madison.  His parents were Paul A. Peterson and Sylvia (Kading) Peterson, of Black Earth.  

John grew up in Black Earth and attended the University of Wisconsin where he received a degree in electrical engineering. While attending the university, John met Evelyn Baum; they were married on Dec. 16, 1949, in Williamsville, NY  John and Ev moved to Elmhurst, IL., in 1950, where they lived for almost 40 years. After his career with Westinghouse Electric Corporation in Chicago, John and Ev returned to Wisconsin to retire in Cross Plains, then Madison.  

John loved outdoor activities including sailing, skiing, working in his back yard, and taking long walks in retirement with Evelyn.  

OREGON–Jeffrey Scott "Jeff" Eyers, age 54, of Oregon, passed away on July 18, 2020. He was born on Sept. 1, 1965, in Madison, the son of Neil and Judy (Kemper) Eyers.

CROSS PLAINS - Daniel Albert Meier, age 93, of Cross Plains, passed away on July 5, 2020 at his home surrounded by his family. He was born on July 27, 1926, in the Town of Cross Plains, the son of Matt and Christine (Marking) Meier. He married Charlene "Char" (Tourdot) Meier on February 13, 1954 in Belleville. 

He served in the Army from 1954 until 1956. He was a member of the Cross Plains American Legion Post 245. Daniel worked for the Middleton/Cross Plains School Buses as a mechanic for 15 years.

Daniel loved to polka dance and was the best waltz dancer around. He enjoyed going fishing, hunting and playing golf. He was a very meticulous man and found great joy in fixing or making anything. He was known as the best mechanic by many and people often said if he couldn't fix it to just keep it. Daniel loved his cherries. Whether it was chocolate covered cherries or a cherry pie. 

CROSS PLAINS - Michael Herbert "Mike" Hellenbrand, age 67, of Cross Plains, passed away peacefully on July 1, 2020, after a long illness. Mike was born on Aug. 1, 1952, in Verona, the son of Charles and Shirley (Paradise) Hellenbrand. Growing up in Cross Plains, Mike cultivated his passion for baseball, business, and bovines. In his youth, spending time on his grandparents’ dairy farm sparked a desire that would later become his second career. Mike loved playing baseball. With his father’s coaching Mike became an accomplished pitcher. Newspapers headlined his no-hitter games played at MATC and with local Home Talent Leagues. 

CROSS PLAINS–Mike Schmoller passed away unexpectedly on the evening of June 28, 2020, after returning home from a neighborhood walk. He will be missed deeply by his family, friends and colleagues. Mike was born in Waukesha on December 30, 1955, the son of Raymond and Laverne (Schultz) Schmoller.

Mike was a loving spouse and a dedicated father and grandfather. He is survived by his wife, Anne Biebel, Cross Plains; son, Daniel (Jenn Yee) Schmoller, Menomonee Falls; daughter, Mary Beth (Dane) Small, Aspen, CO; grand-daughter, Addison Schmoller, Menomonee Falls; mother Laverne “Bernie” Schmoller, Waukesha; and sister, Sandy (Bob) Gardener, Sequim, WA. 

Mike is further survived by his former wife and mother of his children, Diane Traxler Schmoller, Madison.

He was preceded in death by his father Raymond Schmoller of Waukesha in 1988.

MIDDLETON–It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Bill at home on June 26, 2020 in his 71st year. Loving husband of Barbara for 48 years. Beloved father of Mark (Diana), Maple Grove MN; Jeffery (Jessica), Rochester MN; and Scott (Nessa), Middleton. Proud grandfather to Julia, Naomi, and Maria. Bill is remembered for his great love of golf and photography.

A celebration of Bill’s life will be held next year on the anniversary of his death so that his Canadian family can be present. Donations in Bill’s memory can be made to Agrace HospiceCare, 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Fitchburg, WI  53711 or at agrace.org/donate.  

Please share your memories at cressfuneralservice.com

BLACK EARTH/CROSS PLAINS-Norman J. Esser Sr. passed away on June 28, 2020, at Agrace HospiceCare. He was born at home on Feb. 27, 1940, in the Town of Cross Plains, the son of Bernard and Lucinda (Lamberty) Esser. At age four, he moved and grew up with his family on the farm on Hwy. J in Pine Bluff. He graduated from Mount Horeb High School, Class of 1958.

Norman enlisted in the US Army National Guard in 1960 and went to defend his country in the Berlin Crisis in 1961. He met his Sweetheart Karen L. LaBelle on a blind date and they were married at St. Norbert's Catholic Church in Roxbury on April 15, 1964. Together, they joined St. Francis Xavier Parish where he later served on the parish council and are still members today. Norm and Karen bought their first home in the Village of Cross Plains where they lived and raised their 10 children for 49 years prior to moving to Black Earth.