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Joel ‘Joe Buck’ Rufus Jr.
Joel Patrick “Joe Buck: (Wa-Kay-Ga-Bow) Rufus Jr., 16, 609 5th Ave. E., Ashland, passed away Wednesday, April 3, 2002, at St. Mary's Medical Center, in Duluth, Minn. He was born January 21, 1986, in Ashland, the son of Joel Patrick Rufus Sr. and Jody Marie Bigboy.
He was in the 10th grade at Ashland High School and was on the wrestling and the track and field teams. He was a member of the high school Chamber Choir, Native American Club, Debate Team and also was a peer mentor. Joel helped coach the Bad River wrestling team and was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, in Odanah. He was a great storyteller and enjoyed hunting and fishing.
He is survived by his mother, Jody M. Bigboy, Odanah; father, Joel P. Rufus Sr., Waupun; three brothers, Justin Rufus, Odanah, Andrew Gordon, Red Cliff, and Jordan Bigboy, Odanah; maternal grandparents, Eugene and Mary Bigboy Sr., Odanah; paternal grandparents, Herb and Karen Rufus, Odanah; paternal great-grandmother, Mary Riegler, St. Francis, Wis.; special friends, Patricia Peltier and Keith Lowmaster; godfather, Tony Houle; godmother, Terri Whitebird; and aunts, uncles, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by aunts, uncles, and cousins.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, in Odanah, with Father Gary Bernhardt, O.F.M., celebrant.
Interment will take place in Odanah Cemetery.
Visitation will be held after 4 p.m. today, with a 7 p.m. prayer service, at the Odanah Community Center.
Arrangements are by the Frost Home for Funerals, in Ashland.
Wayne Smith
PHILLIPS —Wayne A. Smith, Phillips, passed away on Friday, April 5, 2002, at the Flambeau Medical Center, Park Falls, at the age of 79.
He was born August 1, 1922, in Unionville, Missouri, the son of James and Ella (Wycoff) Smith.
He moved with his family as a child to Centerville, Iowa. He attended and graduated from Centerville High School in 1940. After graduation he moved to Rockford, Ill., where he was employed by the Estwing Manufacturing Co., until entering the military service in 1943. He served his country in the European Theatre of Action with the 375th Army Engineering Corps as a First Sergeant, during W.W.II from 1943 to 1945. He was married to Betty Doyle on July 10, 1943, in Altus, Arkansas. After returning from military service he and his wife owned and operated the Prairie Moon Tavern in Rockford for over 20 years. They then made their home in the Phillips area in 1972. He purchased the Phillips Coca Cola Bottling Co., Phillips, for a time and then he managed the Coca Bottling franchise in the Phillips area until his retirement in 1992. He was a member of the Franks and Michael Baran VFW Post No. 5778, and the Lane-Kreiling American Legion Post No. 122, both Phillips, and a former member of the Loyal Order of Moose and the Phillips Lions Club. In his free time he was an avid snowmobiler, racing fan and enjoyed watching sports.
He is survived by his wife, Betty, Phillips, a daughter: Debbie (Randy) Ashton, Merrill, a son: Jeff (Mary) Rhinelander, three grandchildren, Ramcey Ashton, and Danielle and Brandon Smith, a great-granddaughter Rlyle Ashton, two sisters: Donna Brown, Centerville, Iowa, and Karen (Richard) Andrews, Carlisle, Iowa.
He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and a sister.
A Memorial Service will be held at 7 p.m. today at the Heindl Funeral Home, Phillips, with Deacon James Celba of Our Lady of the North Catholic Church officiating.
Inurnment will be in St. Patrick's Cemetery, Phillips. Military Honors will be conducted by the Frank and Michael Baran VFW Post No. 5778, and the Lane-Kreiling American Legion Post No. 122, Phillips.
Friends may call after 6 p.m. today until the hour of the service at 7 p.m.
The Heindl Funeral Home, Phillips, is in charge of arrangements.
A Memorial Fund has been established for Pleasant View Nursing Home or the charity of your choice.
John Leopold
John W. Leopold, 90, 1160 South Third Avenue, Park Falls, passed away Sunday, April 7, 2002, at his residence. John was born Jan. 22, 1912, in Phillips, the son of Theodore and Julia (Horndorsch) Leopold.
On June 8, 1940, he was united in marriage to Vernetta S. Marcott at Phillips. He owned and operated a mink ranch near Phillips for many years before going to work for Price County as a traffic officer. He then worked for the Park Falls Police Department, retiring in 1972. He was an avid moose hunter, muskie fisherman and pool player. He enjoyed telling stories and dancing.
Survivors include his daughter, Connie Huebner of Park Falls; sons, Eugene (Ginny) Leopold of Superior; and Larry (Sallie) Leopold of Park Falls; six grandchildren, Daniel, Rhonda, Theresa, Kristopher, Angela and John; three great-grandchildren; a sister, Rose Tebo of Florida; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Vernetta; brothers, Ted, Mike, Henry and Joe; sisters, Sophie Fischer and Josephine Preston.
A Memorial Mass of the Resurrection will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at Saint Anthony's Catholic Church in Park Falls, with Father James Jackson as celebrant.
Interment will take place in Nola Cemetery, Park Falls.
Visitation will be held one hour prior to the time of service at the church on Thursday.
Memorials are preferred by the family to either Ronald McDonald House or the Hope Lodge in Marshfield.
The Mountain Funeral Home, Ashland, Bayfield and Mellen, is assisting the family with arrangements.
Donna Puig
Donna M. Puig, 62, 10415 County Highway H, Iron River, died suddenly at St. Mary's Hospital in Tucson, Ariz., on Tuesday April 9, 2002. She was born July 14, 1939, in Ashland, the daughter of Melvin T. and Margaret V. (Franzen) Johnson.
In 1957 she graduated from Ashland High School. On November 26, 1961, she married James A. Puig in Ashland. The couple lived in Evanston, Ill. for 12 years before moving back to the Ashland/Iron River area.
She had a sincere love and dedication for her work. She worked for the Ashland Police Department for several years, was manager of the Twin Bear and Delta Campgrounds for many years, and was currently the director of the Iron River Chamber of Commerce, where she has worked the past several years. Her hobbies included bowling and softball. She had a love for people, the outdoors, horses and animals. Donna was the matriarch of her family and will be sadly missed by her family and friends.
Surviving are her husband, James A Puig of Iron River; daughters, Margaret (Jay) Johnson of Ashland; and Marilyn (Andy) Kurtz of Marathon; grandchildren, Codi, Lukas and Victoria Johnson and Paige and Mitchel Kurtz; father, Melvin T. (Lorraine) Johnson of Ashland; sister, Barbara (Jim) Harvey of Eau Claire; brother, Robert (Kathleen) Johnson of St. Paul, Minn.; nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Margaret V. Franzen and a sister, Carolyn Rogalsky.
The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Monday at Saron Lutheran Church in Ashland. Rev. James Kaspersop and Rev. Kenneth Johnson will co-officiate.
Visitation will be from 5 -8 p.m., Sunday at the Frost Home for Funerals in Ashland and will continue one hour prior to the funeral service Monday at the church.
Cremation will be with the Ashland Crematory Service.
A family graveside service and inurnment will take place at a later date.
Beatrice Cismoski
Beatrice F. Cismoski, 85, 616 18th Avenue West, Ashland, passed away Wednesday, April 10, 2002, at her residence. Beatrice was born April 25, 1916, in Hartford, Wis., the daughter of George and Francis (Inda) Mason.
On Oct. 25, 1941, she was united in marriage to Clarence D. Cismoski at Wautoma,. She was a homemaker.
Survivors include her daughter, Joan (Roland) Pilot of Maple Grove, Minn.; her son, Daniel (Tamiko) Cismoski of Anchorage, Alaska; seven grandchildren, Michael (Marjorie) Pilot, Gregory Pilot, Christopher (Shirley) Pilot, Matthew (Elizabeth) Pilot, Thad Pilot, Martina (Alan) Johnson and Doug (Karen) Cismoski; 13 great-grandchildren; one great-great grandson; one nephew and one niece.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Clarence on Feb. 14, 1989; and one sister, Jean (Rufus) Blakeslee.
A memorial service will take place at 11 a.m. on Saturday at the Mountain Funeral Home, Ashland, with Father Vernon Olmer, O.F.M., officiating.
Interment will take place at a later date next to her husband, Clarence, in Tucson, Arizona.
Visitation will be held one hour prior to the time of service at the funeral home on Saturday.
