Surnames: Counsell, Clemens, Pagenkopf, Osborn, Joel, Elliott, Jackson

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI.) July 30, 2008

Lee Counsell (5 July 1923 - 31 December 2007) #4 With Flag

Lee Albert Counsell, 84, of Carbondale, IL, formerly of Racine, died at 4:30 a.m. Dec. 31, 2007, at Memorial Hospital of Carbondale, IL.

Lee was born July 5, 1923, in Neillsville, Clark County, to Clarion and Henrietta (Clemens) Counsell on the family farm. His values were established early on and were an integral part of the man he became.

His parents, his sister Marion Pagenkopf and her husband Victor preceded him in death.

Lee is survived by his sister Doris Osborn and her husband Harold; nieces, Susan (Ron) Joel and Ann (Dennis) Amy and Jimmy; nephews, Gary (Pat) Elliot and Jim (Leslie) Jackson and Molly.

Lee was a lifelong student. He earned a B. A. at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a DDS from North-western University, MPH at the University of Michigan and an MA in Spanish at SIU-Carbondale. He also earned a Certificate of Residence at the Forsyth Dental Center for Children. Dr. Counsell’s educational pursuits also took him to Harvard University, the Navy Graduate Dental School at the National Navy Medical Center, Bethesda, MD, and to the University of Dundee in Scotland.

Dr. Counsell’s career in the U. S. Navy spanned more than 20 years. He earned the rank of commander. His duties as a dental officer took him to the U. S. Navy Hospital in Chelsea, MA; the US Naval Hospital, Great Lakes, IL; and the Naval Construction Battalion in Davisville, RI. His Naval service also included tours of sea duty aboard the USS Coral Sea, the USS Albemarle and the USS Proteus.

In addition to his experiences in the Navy, Dr. Counsell was involved in public health dentistry in Florida and Nevada. He taught in the dental hygiene program at SIU-C, was a prolific writer and talented wordsmith with a number of published articles to his credit.

His travels were extensive; he had an expansive personal library and was a classic car enthusiast. He was a committed patron of the arts and a conscientious supporter of various nature conservancy programs. Dr. Counsell’s passion for music began at an early age with piano lessons. He became an accomplished pianist, accompanist and choral singer. He spent years studying the pipe organ and played in recital at First United Methodist Church, Carbondale, IL, in December 1986. He continued to add to his organ repertoire until shortly before his death.

Dr. Counsell was a member of the Episcopal Faith. He was a life member in a number of professional societies. He was a Fellow in the American Society of Endodontists and the American College of Dentists and a member of the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society and an honorary member of Omicron Kappa Upsilon, Alpa Chapter, of the National Honor Dental Society. Of particular note: his receipt of the Navy Commendation Medal.

Dr. Counsell’s concern for the health and well being of children was exemplified by his endowment of the Forsyth Dental Center for Children in Boston, MA, and the St. Francis Community Services, Inc. Salina, KS.

A memorial service was held at 1 p.m. Saturday, July 26, 2008, at First United Methodist Church, Carbondale, IL. Memorial donations may be made in his memory to the Carbondale Public Library or the donor’s choice.

Graveside services were held at 1 p.m. Monday, July 28, 2008, at the Neillsville City Cemetery, Neillsville. Military honors were conducted at the gravesite.