Obit: Buddinger, Joan Shirley #3 (1936 - 2007)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
Email: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Buddinger, Green, Bates, Seehafer, Kunze, Opelt, Murphy, Johnson, Huth, Handke

----Sources: Banner Journal (Black River Falls, Jackson Co., Wis.) Oct. 17, 2007

Buddinger, Joan Shirley (March 3, 1936 - October 13, 2007)

Joan Buddinger, age 71 of Neillsville, formerly of Granton, died Saturday, October 113, 2007 in the Emergency Rom of the Memorial medical Center in Neillsville, Wis.

Joan Shirley Bates was born on March 3, 1936 in Fond du Lac, WI, the daughter of Vance Sr. and Lois (Green) Bates. She attended and graduated from the Alma Center High school and then was united in marriage to William Buddinger Jr. on July 17, 1954 in Merrillan, WI. Together they operated a farm in the Town of Washburn just off highway 73. Along with farming, Joan also worked at Marshfield Homes for over 30 years.

She was a member of the Carpentry Union and in her spare time she enjoyed crocheting, photography and canning. Joan was a very loving, caring person who will be sadly missed by her family and friends.

She is survived by her husband, William; one daughter, Patricia (Jim) Seehafer, of Marshfield; a granddaughter, Marcy (Brian) Kunze, of Neillsville, and their children, Jacob and Katie; a grandson, Paul (Shelley) Opelt, of Neillsville, and their children, Jessica, Marshall and Carson. She is also survived by her mother, Lois Bates, of Black River Falls; two sisters, Betty Murphy and Jin Johnson both of Merrillan; two brothers, Bill (Vonnie) Bates, of Bruce, WI and Vance (Judy) Bates Jr., of Merrillan; a brother-in-law, Wilbur Buddinger, of Granton; along with numerous nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father, Vance Bates Sr.; a sister, Jan; a brother-in-law, Jitters Johnson; and a sister-in-law, Judy Bates.

Funeral Services for Joan will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, October 18, 2007 at the Gesche Funeral Home in Neillsville, Wis. Pastor Meg Erickson of the United Methodist Church in Merrillan will officiate. Interment will be in the Neillsville City Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 until 8 p.m., Wednesday and from 10 until 11 a.m., Thursday at the Gesche Funeral Home.

Casket bearers are: Wayne Huth, Arnie Huth, Buster Handke, Eldon Handke, Elmer Handke and Iren Handke.

The Gesche Funeral Home is assisting Joan’s family with funeral arrangements.