Surnames: Turczyn, Wikary, Lawson, Trotta, Boyer, Short, Keller

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI.) December 10, 2008

Turczyn, Jean C. (20 October 1917 - 4 December 2008)

This obituary is a tribute to a remarkable woman we had the honor of calling mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend.

Jean (Wikary) Turczyn died Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008, at the Memorial Health and Rehabilitation Center in Neillsville.

She was born Oct. 20, 1917, in Lublin, Poland. She recounted a wonderful childhood with her parents, Joseph and Catherine Wikary, her brothers, Marion and Stanislaw, and her sister, Lottie, who have all preceded her in death.

Her life was dramatically changed Jan. 10, 1940, by WWII with, first, the invasion by Hitler’s army, followed shortly after (18 days) by the insurgence of Stalin’s army to drive the Germans westward. As in all wars, there are spoils to be claimed by the victor. Stalin’s army took families (manpower/labor) as well as any riches to be transported to Siberia. Younger men worked mines and older members as well as women and children worked in lumber camps and fields. During this time, Jean recounted, they were not allowed to conduct any prayer services or be caught in any act of prayer for fear of severe punishment, if not death. Jean was Polish. Polish people have a very strong Catholic upbringing and faith in the goodness of God. She never faltered in her belief and trust in God; it was only strengthened through this ordeal.

Polish and English troops arrived in Siberia in August of 1943. They gave the liberated captives a choice of remaining in Siberia to be cared for, for a period of time, or to strike out on their own. Jean pawned her high school graduation gold watch to purchase a ticket to Persia (Iran). Eventually she was reunited with her sister, mother and father. Her brothers enlisted in the Polish army and she never saw them again.

Eventually, with the assistance of family in Chicago, Jean came to the United States and worked for a short period of time in a factory in Chicago. Through family acquaintances, she came for a visit to Wisconsin and met her future husband, Andrew Turczyn. Their courtship was through letters. Eight years after her ordeal started, she and Andrew saw each other face-to-face for the second time on their wedding day, Jan. 10, 1948.

They returned to Neillsville to raise a family and to farm, which was not an easy feat since Jean spoke and understood minimal English. However, through the years she became a respected member of the church and community.

We love you Mom, and we will all miss you: children, Mary Ann Lawson, Gloria (Keller) Trotta, Elizabeth (Bruce) Boyer, Carol (Steve) Short and James Turczyn; grandchildren, Michael (Robin) Lawson, David (Tonya) Keller and Robert (Mary Ellen) Keller, James (Lisa) Boyer, Misty Boyer and Joseph Boyer, Samantha, Andrew, Katharine and Theodore Turczyn, Christopher and Hannah Short; and great-grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held at 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 9, 2008 at the Gesche Funeral Home in Neillsville, followed by a meal served in the basement of St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

Pallbearers were Christopher Short, Michael and Gregory Lawson, James and Joseph Boyer, David and Robert Keller.

The Gesche Funeral Home assisted Jean’s family with funeral arrangements.

Obit: Martin, Raymond C. (1923 - 2008)

Contact: Stan
Email: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Martin, Stuve, Anderson, Allen, Williams, Johnson

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI.) December 10, 2008

Martin, Raymond C. (30 October 1923 - 7 December 2008) With Flag

Raymond C. Martin, 84, of Humbird died Sunday, Dec. 7, 2008, at the Pine View Care Center, Black River Falls, surrounded by family.

Raymond was born Oct. 30, 1923, in Humbird to parents Charles and Margaret (Stuve) Martin. The fourth of eight children, he attended elementary school in Woodruff and graduated from Humbird High School in 1940.

He enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps, serving as an airplane mechanic during World War II, and served in Hawaii. After the war, he worked at Miroc, now Edwards Air Force Base, in California and worked with the United States first jet fighters until his discharge.

Raymond then returned to Humbird where he farmed for many years until his retirement. He also worked at the Humbird Canning Company.

Raymond’s greatest pleasures were his family, his commitment to the Humbird United Methodist Church and singing. He was a member of the church choir for many years, and he was also a member of the Pine Tones Barbershop Chorus.

Other favorite pastimes were deer hunting and fishing. He also enjoyed visiting with family members throughout the United States. He was very well-read, and he will also be remembered as a very patient man.

He is survived by three sisters, Eileen Anderson of Dayton, TN, Beryl Allen of Santa Fe, NM, and Rosemary Williams of Alexandria, MN, and two brothers, James (Mary Ann) Martin of Beloit and David (Jean) Martin of San Antonio, TX. He was also a favorite uncle to many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews who will always treasure his love and kindness. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Lyle and Wallace.

Funeral services for Raymond C. Martin will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, 2008, at the Jensen-Modjeski Funeral Home, Hixton, with Reverend David Johnson officiating. Burial with military rites by the Humbird American Legion Post #320 will take place in mentor Cemetery, Humbird.