Member
News
News from & about our members and other former
C&NW employees.
Please feel free to contribute by e-mailing the webmaster.
Best of luck to all of you and if
your not already retired, I hope you join me soon. (Forwarded
by: Laurie
Cosentino)
On behalf of my daughter Jackie, my son. Jay and myself, I would like to thank the Metra passengers for all their kindness, support, generosity and prayers on the loss of our beloved Conductor John Deutsch.
Many of you have called us or sent us a note with a memory of John and those memories have helped our family through this difficult time.
I met John on the train over
30 years ago. Like many of you, I worked
in
Recently, when I rode the train, 30 years after my initial commute, a passenger asked the same question. John gave the same reply. It was deja vu to me.
Many of you were not just passengers to John. He also considered you his friends. He loved crossword puzzles and enjoyed sharing thoughts and answers with his passengers. He enjoyed model railroading and was able to share that hobby with many passengers.
He was an avid NASCAR fan, and even if Tony Stewart wasn't your driver, he enjoyed talking with the passengers about the races and the drivers.
One time, a group of regular riders had a Christmas in July party and I baked Christmas cookies in July for John to share with them. There was also a little boy who loved trains and John always enjoyed sharing train memorabilia with him. Passengers have always played a large role in John's life through the years and our family would like to thank all of you for the kindness you have shown to our Conductor Deutsch and for the many everlasting memories we will always have.
Sincerely,
Janet M. Deutsch
A longtime township official in
Mr. Neumaier grew up in Prairie du
Sac, WI, and graduated in the early 1940s from high school there. He joined the Navy during World War II and
served as an aircraft machinist. He was
stationed in
04/15/08 - Howard R. Hansen, 85, of Wayne, formerly of West Chicago, beloved husband of the late Jean; loving father of Glenn (Carolyn) and Scott (Pam) Hansen; dear grandfather of Erik (Peggy), Christopher, Jeffrey, and Jessica. Howard worked for the Chicago & North Western Railway and later Northwest Industries as Executive Assistant to Ben W. Heinemann for over 50 years. Graveside Service Wednesday 11:00 am at Oak Hill Cemetery, Geneva. Arrangements by Williams-Woodward Funeral Home, West Chicago, information, 630-231-1300 or www.williams-woodward.com.
04/08/08 – Retired Chicago Terminal Conductor Walter J. Kappel, age 93 of Friendship,
WI, passed away on April 4, 2008. For
many years, Walter was Conductor on Job
79, the 10:00 pm transfer job out of Wood St.
Visitation will be held at Roseberry's Funeral Home, 512 Main St.,
Friendship, WI on Tuesday, April 8, 2008 from 5:00 to 8:00 pm and also on
Wednesday from 10:00 am until the 11:00 am funeral, which will be held at the
funeral home, 608-339-3551. Their web
site is www.roseberrys.com. (Forwarded
by Kay Sturtevant.)
03/24/08 – Retired Conductor Ralph H. Marquardt of Baraboo passed away on Saturday, March 22, 2008 at St. Clare Meadows at age 75. Ralph was born August 11, 1932 to Howard and Celia (Burckhardt) Marquardt in Baraboo, and was united in marriage to Helen Johnson of Pleasantville, N.J. on March 6, 1954. He was employed by Chicago and North Western Railroad in a career that spanned over 43 years. He held the positions of track section man, clerk, locomotive fireman, brakeman and conductor on the Madison division, working out of the Baraboo, Madison and Adams terminals. Ralph was a member of the United Transportation Union, C&NW Veterans Association, C&NW Historical Society, Badger Steam and Gas Engine Club and the National Rifle Association. He enjoyed spending time at Mid-Content Railway Museum in North Freedom and Sandley's Little Railway in Wisconsin Dells.
Funeral services will be held on
Wednesday, March 26, 2008 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Baraboo at 11:00 am
with Pastor Thomas Fricke officiating.
Burial will be in the Walnut Hill Cemetery. Friends may call on Tuesday, March 25, 2008
from 6:00 until 8:00 pm at the Redlin Funeral Home and on Wednesday from 10:00
am until the time of services at the church.
(Forwarded by Jim Yanke.)
02/25/08 – Shirley Arlia, retired Head Cashier, passed away on Sunday, February 24, 2008. Visitation will be on Tuesday, February 26 from 10:00 am until time of service at the G.L. Hills Funeral Home, 745 Graceland Ave., Des Plaines, IL, 847-699-9003.
02/04/08 - Tom E. Dalton a Janesville, WI. Switchman/ RCO has been on disability since August 2007. Tom had surgery on his shoulder and he is not able to return to work; however, he is doing well and enjoys relaxation and visiting friends and family. (Submitted by Ruthann Hawley)
01/31/08 – Retired Engineer Russell H. Sullivan, age 83, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday,
Dec. 29, 2007, at St. Mary's Hospital.
He was born on Feb. 3, 1924, in Madison, the son of Russell H. and Laura
M. (Bremer) Sullivan Sr. Russell graduated from Central High
School and attended UW-Madison until he was drafted into the U.S. Navy. He served as a naval aviator with the
Fighting Squadron Unit 95 in the Pacific during World War II. In 1946, Russell began his career as an
engineer with Chicago North Western Railway and was a member of the Brotherhood
of Locomotive Engineers until his retirement in 1985. He was united in marriage to Dorothy
(Wheeler) Pilsner on June 2, 1972, in Madison.
Russell is survived by his
wife, Dorothy of Waunakee; three children, Carolyn Bryant, Marilyn (Jeff) Starr
and John (Becky) Sullivan; two step-sons, Richard (Sally) Pilsner and
01/28/08 – Retired Chief Clerk Marc Deneen, age 82, of Verona, WI passed away on Monday, January 28, 2008 at the Hospice Care Center in Fitchburg, WI. He began his career with the Chicago & North Western Railway on September 1, 1943 before he went into the USA Army during World War II, serving with the Fifth Armored Division. He was wounded in action on April 11, 1945 and was awarded the Purple Heart. After the war, he returned to the C&NW until his retirement in 1986. He married Helen Shea on November 27, 1948. Marc served as President of the Veterans’ Association during 1977 & 1978 and currently was a director and Past President Emeritus. Mass of Christian burial will be at 10:30 AM on Friday, February 1, 2008 at St. Bernard's Catholic Church, 2015 Parmenter St., Middleton, WI. Burial with full military honors will be at Calvary Cemetery in Mt. Horeb. Friends may call from 4:00 pm to7:00 pm on Thursday, January 31, 2008 at the Ellestad Funeral Home, 500 N. 8th Street, Mt. Horeb, WI where a rosary service will be held at 7:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to St. Bernard's Catholic Church or Hospice Care, Inc., 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway., Fitchburg, WI 53711. www.ellestadfuneralhome.com, 608-437-5077.
01/10/08 – Retired Conductor
01/09/08 – We have just learned that Conductor John J. Deutsch was killed in a tragic switching accident at Waukegan yesterday evening. We will remember John as a diligent and dedicated co-worker. He wore a different color flower on his lapel every day, greeting regular riders along Metra/Union Pacific's Kenosha-Chicago route with a cheery smile or joke. The 34-year veteran expected to retire in April, with plans to dedicate a room in his family's Waukegan home to his model railroading hobby. We extend our heartfelt sympathies to John’s family. Visitation will be Sunday, January 13, 2008 from 2::00 to 6:00 pm and Monday, January 14, 2008 from 9:30 to 10:30 am. Services will be on Monday, January 14, 2008 at 10:30 am at Gurnee & Salata Funeral Home, 4190 Old Grand Avenue, Gurnee, IL 60031, phone 847-244-1155. (Submitted by Dave Hawley & Kay Sturtevant)
11/11/07 – Retired Wisconsin Division Engineer Al Ashworth passed away on Saturday,
November 10, 2007. The visitation will
be from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. Monday, Nov. 12, at Michaels Funeral Home, 800 S.
Roselle Road, Schaumburg, IL. Interment
will be at 10:30 am, Tuesday, Nov. 13, in Windridge Cemetery in Cary. For information, call 847-891-2900. (From
Captain Wally Lindemann)
11/07/07 – Retired Wisconsin Division Engineer Al Ashworth is very ill with lung cancer and has been battling it all summer; he is now in hospice care here at home. Just wanted to let you know and pass it along. He is really struggling. (From June Ashworth, forwarded by Joe Vettese.)
11/06/07 – Walter
Herrli, retired Wisconsin Division engineer, passed away Monday evening,
November 5, 2007 at Spooner, Wisconsin.
No other details are available at this time. (From
Al & June Ashworth, forwarded by Laurie Cosentino.)
09/27/07 – At our C&NW Green Bay Chapter luncheon on Saturday, September 22nd, it was reported that Bob Bengry was quite ill. He died on Tuesday, the 25th - 3 days after our dinner. He was 70, born in Stambaugh, Michigan, which at that time was a railroad center during the iron ore days on the C&NW. Bob graduated from Stambaugh High School in 1955 and came to Green Bay to seek his fortune and married here. After business college and two other jobs in Green Bay, he hired on the C&NW in March of 1959 where he later became a chief clerk. After the national railroad decline of the 1980's, he moved around the C&NW - Ames, Iowa, Milwaukee and later Chicago. He retired from the Union Pacific in 1997. He currently lived at Fox River Grove, Illinois. There will be a visitation in Crystal Lake, IL on Friday the 28th and burial with visitation at Nicolet Memorial Gardens in Green Bay on Monday, Oct 1st. (Forwarded by Truman Koehn.)
09/15/07 – Greetings from Dan Hanna. I have wonderful
news. Yesterday I underwent 12 hours of surgery to be transplanted with a new
pancreas -- I am a type I diabetic no longer -- I am now cured of
diabetes! .My new pancreas was flown in
from New Jersey on September 13, 2007.
I am currently in the ICU at NHS Nebraska Medical Center, but will be
transferred to a regular room on the 5th floor of Clarkson Tower sometime
within the next 24 hours. My expected hospital stay is seven days. I am feeling good, and my recent blood sugars
have been 78, 94, 98 and 77! Life is good!
D.A. Hanna, 5662 Fillmore
Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68152-1700.
(402) 573-0672 – home, (402) 650-6101 – cell. E-Mail: DAHanna@Cox.Net.
(Forwarded by: Laurie Cosentino)
08/09/07 – Word has been received that retired
Conductor Gordon Johnson passed away
June 22, 2007 at his home in Arlington Heights, IL. A memorial service was held on June 26,
2007. (Forwarded by Joe Vettese.)
05/21/07 – We just learned that retired Yard Clerk Kenneth Loritz of Manitowoc passed away on 08/15/2005. Ken had no family left and a friend wrote to us with this news.
05/05/07 - Retired Trainmaster Jerry Drager, 73, Rapid City, SD passed away on Friday, May 4, 2007, at Rapid City Regional Hospital after suffering a severe heart attack and stroke on the preceding Monday. Jerry hired out on the C&NW as a fireman in 1951 and was promoted to Trainmaster/ Traveling Engineer in 1965, serving at Boone, IA, Chadron, NE, So. Morril, NE and other locations. He retired in 1994. Following his retirement, he went to work as an engineer on the Nebkota Railroad at Chadron and on the Black Hills Central Railroad at Hill City, SD. He was also a substitute teacher in the Rapid City Schools. Jerry enjoyed traveling and spending time with his children and grandchildren. Jerry is survived by his wife of 47 years, Sheryl, daughter Amy, Stokes, Edgemont; one son, Jay Drager, Alliance, Neb.; and six grandchildren. Behrens-Wilson Funeral Home is handling the funeral arrangements and the memorial services will be held at 10:00 am on Wednesday, May 9, 2007 at the Faith Lutheran Church, 17 Indiana St., Rapid City, SD 57701.
05/03/07 - Retired Assistant Director of Commuter Service Rollins W. Coakley, 85, of Provo, Utah, formerly of Venice, Florida and Berkeley, Illinois passed away at his home surrounded by his loving family on Wednesday, May 2, 2007. Rollins was born on May 21, 1921 in Chicago, Illinois to James R. Coakley and Mabel H. Bothe. He retired as an officer from the Chicago & North Western Railway Co. in 1981 with 34 years of service.
Rollins was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Coast Guard; Plank owner USS SAVAGE (DE-386) and USS GENERAL J. C. BRECKINRIDGE (AP-176). He was also a life member of the American Legion Post No. 159, Venice, Florida; Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 8118, Venice, Florida; Disabled American Veterans Post No. 1, Provo, Utah; Tin Can Sailors Squadron, Venice, Florida; Westchester Lodge A.F. & A.M. No. 995, Westchester, Illinois; Charter member Venice (Florida) Area Historical Society; member Sun coast Chapter, National Railroad Historical Society, Sarasota, Florida; member of the Veterans’ Association of the Chicago & North Western Railway; USS SAVAGE (DE-DER 386); Association; Member of the Springville (Utah) Community Presbyterian Church and an affiliate member of the Venice Presbyterian Church, Venice, Florida. He is the beloved husband of June, nee Decker; dear father of Nancy Coakley, Beverly (William) Cowan, William (Denise) Coakley, Beth (Richard) Gozdecki, James (Gayle) Coakley, Patricia (Chris) Allinger; loving grandfather of Merrie Boyer, John (Tanya) Boyer, Brian Cowan, Britt (Ari) Cowan Galen, Rachel & Joel Coakley, Joshua, Nathaniel, Luke & Matthew Allinger; great grandfather of seven; step grandfather of three, fond brother of Olive Meyers of Boca Raton, Florida and Caryl (Gene) Fox of Wheaton, Illinois.
Interment will be at Mount Emblem Cemetery, Elmhurst, Illinois. Memorial donations may be made to Biblical Ministries Worldwide (Allinger account), 1595 Herrington Road, Lawrenceville, Georgia 30043 or Venice (Florida) Area Historical Society, P.O. Box 995, Venice, FL 34284. Online condolences may be submitted to the family at www.serenicare.com. (Forwarded by: Laurie Cosentino)
03/01/07 – Retired ATC Supervisor Edward W. “Ed” Thompson passed away February 24, 2007, at St. Patrick’s Residence, Naperville, IL. Visitation will be from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm, Tuesday, March 6 at Friedrich-Jones Funeral Home, 44 S. Mill St., Naperville and from 9:00 am until the time of services on Wednesday, at the church. Services will be held at 10:00 am, Wednesday, March 7, at the Grace United Methodist Church, 300 E. Gartner Ave., Naperville, IL. Interment will be in Naperville Cemetery. A luncheon will follow at the church.
Ed was 83 years old, was a pilot in the Navy during World War II and had 43 years of service with the Chicago & North Western Railway, retiring in 1985. Ed is survived by his wife, Opal (nee Gage) Buzan of Naperville, whom he married December 8, 1984; a son, Patrick L. Thompson of Littleton, CO; a stepdaughter, Terri (Kevin) Buzan Kemp of Phoenix, AZ; and many nieces, nephews and friends. Memorials to Grace United Methodist Church appreciated. (Forwarded by John Leahy.)
02/08/07
– Retired Wisconsin Division Conductor
Frank & Linda Cadell have sponsored the 'Guest Book' for one year with legacy.com (Northwest Herald newspaper). To view the Guest Book click on below. You may have to copy the link and paste it in your browser.
http://www.legacy.com/nwng/GB/GuestbookView.aspx?personID=86364157
To sign the Guest Book, leave an audio entry or submit a photo, please click on below. You may have to copy the link and paste it in your browser.
01/29/07
- Richard Garcia, husband of retired
Payroll Supervisor Charlene Garcia,
passed away at home Saturday, January 27th from prostate and bone cancer. He will be waked Tuesday January 30th, 6:00
to 8:00 PM at: Dunlap Funeral Home, 604
South Main St., Ft. Atkinson, WI 53538, 920-563-2575. The funeral will begin at St. Paul's Lutheran
Church, 301 S. High St., Ft. Atkinson, WI 53538 at 12:30 pm, Wednesday, January
31, 2007. Church services will follow at
1:30 pm. Charlene’s address is N1714 Highway K, Ft. Atkinson WI 53538. (Forwarded
by Laurie Cosentino.)
01/25/07 – Retired Train Dispatcher Richard L. "Rick" Graham passed away January 21, 2007 at the age of 81 years, peacefully at his home with family. Loving husband, devoted father, grandfather and great-grand-father. Survived by his wife of 60 years, Bea, sons; Mike (Liz), Chuck (Joelle), Ken (Chris), and daughter; Janice (Steve) Marcus, 9 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren, and other family members. Proceeded in death by his son, Don and 5 siblings. Rick spent 39 years as a dedicated employee of the Chicago North Western Railway. Member of "The Greatest Generation of World War II." Served in the Navy and participated in the D-Day invasion and other battles throughout Europe. Visitation Saturday, January 27 from 4:00 pm until time of Memorial Service at 5:30 pm at Milwaukee Central Seventh Day Adventist Church, 2229 N. Terrace Ave., Milwaukee. If desired, memorials to the Salvation Army. Schramka-Densow Funeral Home Thiensville 262-242-3120
01/18/07
– Retired Wisconsin Division engineer Charles
H. Meroff passed away on January 15, 2007 at the age of 65 years. Beloved husband of Vicki; cherished son of
Kathleen Bohmann and the late orchestra leader Benny Meroff; loving father of
Bryan (Laura), Bruce, Lori Jo (Steve) Kaczmarek and Charlie (Debbie); proud
grandfather of Jessica Lentz, Matthew Anderson, James and Summer Dunaway; dear
cousin of Sandra, Caroline and Austin Priebe; further survived by other
relatives and friends. Funeral service
Friday, January 19, 2007 at 1:00 at the Harder
Funeral Home, 18700 W. Capitol Dr., Brookfield, WI. Visitation Friday 10:00 am to 1:00 pm at the
funeral home. Interment Highland
Memorial Park. Charlie had 40 years of service with the Chicago & North
Western and Union Pacific. Memorials to
the American Diabetes Association or a charity of your choice if so
desired. Arrangements by Max A. Sass & Sons,
414-282-4050. Online Guestbook at www.maxsass.com
12/31/06 - Retired
conductor Carl L. Kimps of Allouez, WI
passed away on Saturday December 23, 2006.
Carl was born December 12,
1929, served in the U.S. Navy from 1947-1953 and had 39 years of service with
the Chicago & North Western Railway, retiring in 1991. He was a member of Resurrection Catholic
Church in Allouez and a member of the Moose Lodge in Ashwaubenon. Funeral services were held on December 28 at
the Resurrection Church.
12/26/06 – Noreen B.
Franks, retired Freight Accounting Clerk, passed away on Thursday, December
21, 2006. Noreen had 42 years of
C&NW service and retired 1n 1990.
Visitation will be Wednesday, December 27 at St. Ita Church, Broadway
and Catalpa Streets, Chicago from 12:00 noon until the time of service at 1:00
pm. Interment at All Saints
Cemetery. Arrangements are being handled
by the John E. Maloney Funeral Home, 773-764-1617.
12/15/06 – Retired engineer J.A. (Jerry) Regner passed away on Tuesday December 12, 2006 surrounded by his Family. His wake will be at Altstadt-Tyborski-Ermenc-Mcleod Funeral Home, S. 84th and W. Forest Home, Milwaukee, on Friday December 15, 2006 from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm. The funeral will be at Jackson Park Lutheran Church, 4535 W. Oklahoma Ave. Milwaukee, WI on Saturday, December 16, 2006. Jerry was born on December 28, 1927 and had 38 years of North Western service, retiring in 1987.
11/12/06 -
Dave will appreciate any telephone
calls, cards or letters –
10/13/06 - Robert J.
"Bob" Dix, 76, of Kenosha, passed away on Wednesday, October. 11,
2006 at Hospice House. Born on August 15, 1930, in Hutsonville, IL, he was the son of the late Osa
and Geneva (Kennedy) Dix. On March 26, 1949 at the First Christian
Church in Hutsonville, IL, Bob
married the love of his life, Virginia Lee Hampsten. She preceded him in death earlier this
year. Bob began his railroad career in the days of the steam engines with
the Illinois Central Railroad. In 1957,
he and his family moved to North Chicago, IL, where he began a new phase of his
railroad career working in commuter rail with the Chicago North Shore and
Milwaukee Railroad. After the North
Shore Line closed in 1963, Bob
accepted a mechanics position with the Chicago and North Western Railway. Committed to his career with the railroad, Bob and his family moved to Kenosha in
1967 where he retired as the Mechanic-in-Charge of the Kenosha Terminal. He was an active member of the Veteran's
Association of the Chicago North Western Railway.
Bob leaves many behind to fondly remember him, his three children, Diana (Keith) Miller, of Fall Creek, Wis., Michael (Lynda) Dix, and Geneva (Jim) Whitmire, both of Kenosha; and his five grandchildren, Lucas, Kaylee and Anna Dix, and Danielle and Nathan Whitmire. Along with his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Charles, Cameron, and Errol "Pooch"; and a sister, Meyrle Lindley.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2006, at 9:30 a.m. at the Baptist Tabernacle, 7951 - 36th Avenue, Kenosha. Entombment will follow in Sunset Ridge Memorial Park. A visitation for Bob will be held on Friday, October 13, from 5:00 until 8:00 pm at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to consider memorials to Hospice Alliance or the American Cancer Society. Piasecki-Althaus Funeral Home, 3720 9th Avenue, Kenosha, Wisconsin 53144, 262-658-4101. Online condolences at www.piasecki-althaus.com
08/13/06 – Rod and
I stopped in Riley, Wisconsin to visit with retired C&NW Clerk at Madison,
WI - Marc Deneen. Marc is
81 years old and still going strong. He
sends his regards to all of his "old" friends that are still out
there. Click here for a picture of Rod
and Marc. (Contributed by
Linda Hustad.)
08/03/06 – Retired
Conductor Milton M. Lemke, age 81, died on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2006 at the
Don and Marilyn Anderson Hospice Care Center, Madison, WI. He was born on June 10, 1925, in Madison, to
Charles and Flossie (Ellis) Lemke. Milton graduated from Madison Central
High School and served in the U. S. Naval Air Force during World War II. Milton married Lucille "Lu"
DeRuyter on Aug. 28, 1947 in Sheboygan.
He retired in 1983 from the Chicago & North Western Railroad with 38
years of service. Milton was a charter
member of Lakeview Moravian Community Church, a member of V.F.W. Post No. 7591
and the Moose Club. Milton is
survived by two sons, Mark Lemke and Michael (Rose) Lemke, both of Madison;
four grandchildren; a great-granddaughter; a sister, and four brothers. He was preceded in death by his wife. Memorial services will be held at Lakeview
Moravian Community Church, 3565 Tulane Ave., Madison, at 11:00 am on Friday,
Aug. 4, 2006. Burial will be at Roselawn
Memorial Park. Visitation will be at the
church from 9:00 am until the time of the service on Friday. Memorials may be made to Lakeview Moravian
Community Church. Gunderson East Funeral
& Cremation Centers, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, WI - (608) 221-5420, www.gundersonfh.com. (Forwarded by: Laurie Cosentino)
07/30/06 – Retired
Wisconsin Division Conductor William J. Brock III, 64, of Winthrop
Harbor, IL passed away on Thursday, July 27, 2006. Bill was born February 11, 1942 in
Waukegan and married Ethel Blackwood on February 3, 1969 in Winthrop
Harbor. He retired from the Union
Pacific Railroad (formerly Chicago & North Western Railway) where he worked
as a conductor and had more than 30 years of service. Bill was a veteran of the United
States Army having been stationed in Germany. He was an avid gardener and he
loved to travel.
Survivors include
his wife Ethel; son, William Brock of Winthrop Harbor, IL; three brothers,
James (Karen) Brock of Arizona, Daniel Brock of Idaho, and Louis (Julie) Brock
also of Idaho. He was preceded in death
by his father and mother, William Jr. and Margaret Ruth Hardy Brock.
Visitation will be
Thursday, August 3, 2006, from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm at the CONGDON FUNERAL HOME,
3012 Sheridan Road, Zion. Funeral
services will be held on Friday, August 4, at 10:30 am at the Funeral
Home. Interment will follow at Mt.
Olivet Memorial Park, Zion. Memorial donations to Winthrop Harbor Fire and
Rescue Dept. 830 Sheridan Rd., Winthrop Harbor, IL 60096 have been suggested.
06/19/06 – From Linda
Hustad: I will be retiring at the
end of July, but my last day in the office will be Wednesday, July 12th, 2006
because I am using the rest of my vacation prior to retiring. I do not know what kind of internet access I
will have available to me, because we are in a remote area and do not even have
cable, so I am looking for a volunteer to continue distribution of the C&NW
NEWS to everyone. If no one volunteers,
I think postings may be made on the C&NW Veterans' Association web site at http://www.cnwvets.org.
It has been my
pleasure to serve as the conduit that allowed all of us to stay in touch since
1995. Perhaps Rod and I will see some of
you at the C&NW Veteran's Association Dinners now that we will have the
time to attend these functions.
06/12/06 – James E.
"Jim" Haseltine joined his loving wife Saturday, June 10,
2006, age 71. Beloved husband of the
late Sharon (nee Berger). Dear father of
Sandy Lovato, Sheri (Darrell) Gore and Edward Haseltine. Loving grandpa of Joseph, Joshua, Jeffrey and
Danielle. Brother of Ann Ulrich, Alice
Messner, Bill Haseltine and the late Skip Haseltine and the late Tom
Haseltine. Further survived by other
relatives and friends. Visitation at the
funeral home Wednesday, June 14, 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Funeral service at 8:15 pm. Burial at Pinelawn Cemetery. Memorials appreciated to St. John's Lutheran
Church, Wauwatosa, WI. Jim was a
member of St. John's Lutheran Church, Wauwatosa, retired from Chicago and North
Western Railway and proudly served his country in the Air Force during the
Korean War.
"Took his
last ride home"
Condolences to: www.krausefuneralhome.com. Krause Funeral Home and Cremation Services,
9000 W. Capitol Dr. 414-464-4640.
06/02/06 – From Dan
Hanna: To All my C&NW
Friends:
It seems like
often time the only time we communicate is to share bad news. Well, I have some mixed news to share. The
less-than-desirable-news is that I have to have surgery. The good news is that I didn't have a heart
attack!
This will give you
a quick update on my upcoming surgery.
I go into NHS
Clarkson Hospital Sunday morning, June 4, 2006.
On Monday, I will be having triple by-pass heart surgery to clean-out
three blocked arteries. I feel very blessed that the blockages were
discovered during a physical exam on May 4th rather than during a heart
attack -- one artery is completely blocked, one artery is 90% blocked, and the
other is 80% blocked. And
amazingly, I have had no symptoms whatsoever -- in fact, Gail and
I had a wonderful two week vacation to Northern California, and
I have been playing golf every Wednesday afternoon, and have been feeling better
than I have in a long time. Go figure. My heart surgery is scheduled for
7:30 am on Monday, June 5th, and will probably take about six hours. Dr. Mohammed A. Quader is the Cardiothoracic
Surgeon who will be performing the surgery.
I will then spend the next two days in the ICU, and if everything goes
well, I might be able to return home as early as June 8th. Because of my need for rest, I request that
there be no visits of phone calls the week of June 5th. But of course, cards and letters and e-mails
and prayers are always welcome!
I hope this finds
each and every one of you well -- I think of all of you often! Dan
05/31/06 – Retired
Roadmaster Sam Hanges passed away today.
Services will be as follows:
Visitation; Friday June 2, 2006, 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm at Williams Kampp
Funeral Home, 430 East Roosevelt Road, Wheaton, IL, 630-668-0016. Visitation Saturday, June 3, 2006 9:30 am
until time of service at 10:00 am at St. Joseph's Orthodox Church, 412 Crescent
Street, Wheaton, IL with burial following at Wheaton Cemetery. (Forwarded by Ted Niemeyer.)
05/01/06 – Retired
Roadmaster Sam Hanges has been hospitalized. He is in intensive care at Room 806, Rush
Presbyterian Hospital, 1653 W. Congress Pkwy, Chicago, IL 60612-3833 where screws have been inserted in
his skull to alleviate the pressure from the cranium pressing down on his
spine. In addition, he is in
traction. This information is from Sam’s
daughter and will be updated as more details become available. Send cards and letters to the above address;
flowers are not allowed in his room at this time. Please keep Sam in your thoughts and
prayers. (Forwarded by Dewayne
Stiefvater.)
04/22/06 - Virginia H.
Dix, 78, of Kenosha, passed away on Thursday, April 20, 2006, at Washington
Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
Born in Oblong, IL on Sept. 15, 1927, she was the daughter of the late
Thomas and Ollie (Mills) Hampsten. On
March 26, 1949, she married Robert J. Dix in First Christian Church,
Hutsonville, IL. They came to Kenosha
from North Chicago in 1967. Virginia
was employed as chief clerk with the Chicago & North Western Railway for 20
years and was a member of the Baptist Tabernacle and the Veterans’ Association
of the Chicago & North Western Railway.
She and her husband were avid supporters of the Kenosha Twins,
volunteering numerous hours at the ballpark and housing many players. They were
honored for their work with the Twins with box seats and royal treatment for
the 1991 World Series. She had a passion
for organizing picnics and events of all kinds; especially Chicago & North
Western Company picnics, retirement parties as well as potlucks and holiday
dinners with their snowbird friends in Tucson, AZ. Virginia will also be remembered for
her love of her grandchildren and her generosity. She is survived by her husband, retired MIC Robert
J. Dix; three children, Diana (Keith) Miller of Fall Creek, Wis., Michael
(Lynda) Dix and Geneva (Jim) Whitmire both of Kenosha; her grandchildren,
Lucas, Kaylee, and Anna Dix, and Danielle and Nathan Whitmire; a brother,
Kenneth (Anita) Hampsten of Florence, Ore., and numerous nieces and
nephews. She was preceded in death by
two brothers, Charles and John Hampsten; and two sisters, Mildred Cramer and
Mabel Linder. Funeral services will be
held on Monday, April 24th, at 9:30 a.m. at the Baptist Tabernacle, 7951 36th
Ave., Kenosha. Entombment will follow in
Sunset Ridge Memorial Park. A visitation will be held on Sunday, April 23rd,
from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial remembrances to
the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 1130, Fairfax, Va. 22038 or to the
Shalom Center, 1713 62nd Street, Kenosha would be appreciated by the family. Arrangements are being handled by
Piasecki-Althaus Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 3720 39th Avenue,
Kenosha, WI 53144, 262-658-4101. Online condolences at www.piasecki-althaus.com. (Forwarded by Dan Sylvester.)
03/27/06 - James E.
"Jim" Gavin found peace on Saturday, March 25, 2006, at the age
of 71 years. Best friend and dear
husband of Donnette (nee Potter). Loving
father of Thomas (Christina), James (Suzanne), Patrick (Claudia) and Robert
(Denise). Also survived by his brother
John (Delores) Gavin, grandchildren, other relatives and friends. Jim retired from Chicago and North Western
Ry. after 44 years of service.
The funeral
Service will be held on Wednesday, March 29 at 7:00 pm at the funeral
home. Interment will be at Holy
Sepulcher Cemetery. Visitation at the funeral home only on Wednesday from 5:00
to 8:00 pm and on Thursday from 10:00 am until time of procession to the
cemetery at 10:30 AM. SCHRAMKA-NERO
Funeral Home, 3701 E. Layton Ave., Cudahy, WI.
(414) 744-6730. (Forwarded by Linda Hustad.)
03/09/06 – Retired Wisconsin Division Conductor William H. Barkwill passed away Sunday March 5, 2005 from cancer. Bill will be waked on Friday, March 10, 2006 from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Snyder-Luecht-Mervin & Cooney Funeral Home, 1211 N. Seminary Ave., Woodstock, IL 60098. The funeral will be Saturday, March 11, 2006 at 11:00 am at the Free Methodist Church, 934 North Seminary Ave., Woodstock, IL 60098.
02/25/06 – Harry R.
Spencer, 84, of Woodside Oaks Retirement Center, Green Bay, passed away on
Wednesday, February 22, 2006 at St. Vincent Hospital. He was born
May 25, 1921 in Marshfield, WI to the late Robert and Clara Spencer. He
was a graduate of Proviso Township High School in Maywood, IL. He served
in WW II in the Pacific Theater as a member of the U.S. Army Air Corps.
Harry was employed by the C&NW Ry. for 43
years and was Master Mechanic for the Lakeshore Division at North Green
Bay for many of those years. He worked at many locations
in the mechanical department and his last position was assistant
Division Manager-Mechanical, at St. Paul, MN. Harry retired from
the C&NW in 1982 to Green Bay and spent his winters in Texas. He
is survived by his 2nd wife, Delores, and sons Steve (Green Bay), Larry
(Waukesha), and a step son John Krol (Green Bay), as well as a daughter
Terri (St. Louis Park, MN). He is further survived by 11 grandchildren
and 4 great grandchildren.
Friends may call
at Proko-Wall Funeral home, 1630 East Mason, Green Bay on Sunday, Feb 26 from
4:00 to 7:00 pm. Visitation will continue Monday (27th)
from 10:00 to 11:00 am at Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church, 2270 S.
Oneida, Green Bay (Ashwaubenon) with Burial Mass at 11:00
am. Online condolences may be expressed at www.prokowall.com (Submitted
by Truman Koehn)
02/01/06 – Medical Update
from Dan Hanna: “This is just a
quick note to let you know that I will be having surgery tomorrow morning
(02/02/06) at 9:30 am to amputate the 4th & 5th toes on my left foot. The outpatient procedure will be performed at
Bergan Mercy Medical Center by Dr. Scott T. McMullen, M.D. I anticipate that the surgery will go well,
and that I will be home before noon.
The only downside
to the surgery is that higher math for me is now entirely out of the
question. If I have to count higher than
10, I am in big trouble . . .
I haven't gotten
around to answering all of the cards and letter and e-mails from my previous
surgery, but each and every one was treasured.
And I especially want to thank everybody for all of the prayers – I have
been very blessed!
D.A. Hanna, 5662
Fillmore Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68152-1700; (402) 573-0672 – home, (402)
650-6101 – cell, (402) 573-0573 – FAX, DAHanna@Cox.Net
– e-mail.” (Forwarded by Linda Hustad.)
01/17/06 – Retired Mason
City Trainmaster John R. “Jack” Shannon passed away Monday, January 16,
2006. Funeral services will be held at
10:30 am on Thursday, January 19, 2006 at Holy Family Catholic Church, 714
North Adams, Mason City, Iowa. (Forwarded by Linda Hustad.)
01/03/06 – A note from Dan
Hanna - This is just a quick note to let you know that I will be having
surgery this afternoon (12/23/05) at 2:30 pm to amputate the 3rd and 4th toes
on my left foot. The procedure will be performed at Bergan Mercy Medical Center
by Dr. Scott T. McMullen, M.D. I
anticipate that the surgery will go well, and that I will be home soon.
Please accept my
very best wishes to each of you and your families for a very Merry Christmas!
D.A. Hanna, 5662
Fillmore St., Omaha, NE 68152-1700 (402) 573-0672 – home, (402) 650-6101 –
cell, (402) 573-0573 – FAX, e-mail -- DAHanna@Cox.Net (Forwarded
by Linda Hustad.)
12/14/05 – Retired
Wisconsin Division Engineer Dale "Peaches" Meier passed away
on December 7, 2005. The services and
funeral were on December 10. Dale
had been suffering from cancer for some time.
Please keep Delores and the family in your thoughts and prayers. Delores will appreciate hearing from you at
3053 Holiday Acres, Danbury, WI or e-mail pdmeier@centurytel.net.
11/28/05 – Charles L.
Cook - I received a call this morning from Wilma Cook (Wife) advising that Charlie
passed away this morning, 11/28/05, around 4:15 am. Charlie was retired Terminal Manager,
Madison, IL. He had been in the hospital
for quite a long time. Arrangements are
pending.
11/28/05 – An update from Dan
Hanna……. I just got out of the hospital after two stays during the past
three weeks. I am feeling much better
after a "triple-play" medical condition I hadn’t anticipated: (1.) First of all, I had the big-toe on my
left foot amputated; (2.) Second, apparently my pancreas from my
kidney-pancreas transplant of 1993 has now died, and I am a type-I diabetic
again. And, (3.) I also have a staph.
infection in my blood stream again.
But I am glad they
found-out why I was feeling poorly, and I am happy to report that I am feeling
well again. The staph. infection is
being controlled by antibiotics (which I will probably have to take orally for
the next eight weeks.) And what a
blessing to have had the pancreas (and being completely non-diabetic) for the
past 13 years! We have truly had some
Divine intervention in this regard! At
the time of the transplant, we were told that the maximum life for each organ
would be 5 years, so to get 13 years is truly a blessing. And my kidney is still doing fine, and I hope
to get many more years from it. Yesterday, I phoned the NHS Med-Center, and
inquired about getting another pancreas transplant -- they indicated that I
would probably qualify, and that the average waiting-time for a cadaver
pancreas is about 3-4 months. So I may
be a short-term diabetic and then become a non-diabetic again, in the next few
months! God is good!
The only real
frustration is my foot surgery -- I can't bear any weight on it for six weeks,
so I am back to using a wheel-chair and/or crutches again for the interim. This means with snow and ice already on the
ground, I probably won’t be venturing too far from home until after the 1st of
the year.
Please thank
everybody for all of the flowers, phone calls, cards, letters, e-mails,
etc. And special thanks for all of the
prayers -- it is wonderful to be part of the C&NW/UPRR family!
Dan Hanna,
(402)
573-0672, DAHanna@Cox.Net
11/18/05 – Dan Hanna
brings us-up-to date…… I just got out of the hospital after two stays during
the past three weeks. I am feeling much better after a "triple-play"
medical condition I hadn’t anticipated:
1. First of all, I had the big-toe
on my left foot amputated.
2. Second, apparently my pancreas
from my kidney-pancreas transplant of 1993 has now
died, and I
am a type-I diabetic again. And,
3. I also have a staph. infection in
my blood stream again.
But I am glad they found-out why I was feeling poorly, and I am happy to report
that I am feeling well again. The staph. infection is being controlled by
antibiotics (which I will probably have to take orally for the next eight
weeks.) And what a blessing to have had the pancreas (and being completely
non-diabetic) for the past 13 years! We have truly had some Divine intervention
in this regard! At the time of the transplant, we were told that the maximum
life for each organ would be 5 years, so to get 13 years is truly a blessing.
And my kidney is still doing fine, and I hope to get many more years from it.
Yesterday, I phoned the NHS Med-Center, and inquired about getting another
pancreas transplant -- they indicated that I would probably qualify, and that
the average waiting-time for a cadaver pancreas is about 3-4 months. So I may
be a short-term diabetic and then become a non-diabetic again, in the next few
months! God is good!
The only real frustration is my foot surgery -- I can't bear any weight on it
for six weeks, so I am back to using a wheel-chair and/or crutches again for
the interim. This means with snow and ice already on the ground, I probably
won’t be venturing too far from home until after the 1st of the year.
Anyway, I thought I would send you and update. You may share this with anybody
you care to, as I know some other people have been left out-of-the-loop as
well.
Please thank everybody
for all of the flowers, phone calls, cards, letters, e-mails, etc. And special
thanks for all of the prayers -- it is wonderful to be part of the
C&NW/UPRR family!
I hope this finds you well! Have a great week!
(Forwarded by Dan Hanna)
11/17/05 – Word was
received today that retired Wisconsin Division Conductor John Phelan
passed away on September 10, 2005 at Lewistown, Montana. No other details are available.
11/12/05 – I had a call
from Windy Blomstrand last night informing me of retired Wisconsin
Division Conductor Grover “George” Walker’s death yesterday (November
11). He was at lunch with friends in
Mississippi and died at the restaurant, apparently of a sudden heart
attack. George previously lived
in Mississippi. You will remember him as
the Trainmaster at 40th St. and Crystal Lake.
More details will be posted as they become available. (Forwarded by Captain Wally Lindemann)
11/11/05 – I received a call this afternoon from Dan Hanna advising that he is back in the hospital again. They had to amputate one of his toes and have discovered that his pancreas is not functioning. Dan is in Creighton University Hospital, Room 5120, (402) 345-7100. Please keep Dan and his family in your prayers. (Forwarded by Linda Hustad.)
11/11/05 – Dolores Gorlewski,
wife of retired Wisconsin Division Engineer Walter Gorlewski, passed
away on Tuesday, November 8, 2005, after many months of trying to battle a
stroke that happened on August 18, 2005.
She has been in and out of ICU's and rehabs without much luck. Last night, she suffered a brain
hemorrhage. Funeral Mass on Tuesday,
November 15, 2005 at 11:00 am at St. Gregory The Great Catholic Church, 3160 S.
63rd Street. Entombment at Forest Home
Cemetery. Visitation Monday, November
14, 2005, from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Funeral Home with a 7:00 pm Parish
Vigil, and thereafter Tuesday from 10:00 am to 10:45 am at the church. Max A. Sass & Sons, Greenridge Chapel,
4747 S. 60th Street, Milwaukee; 414-282-4050.
Any messages for Walter can be sent to Russ and Karen Gorlewski
at rak229@sbcglobal.net where they
will be passed on to Walter.
10/18/05 - Retired
Head Payroll Supervisor Frank
Squillacioti passed away Monday, October 17, 2005. For many years, Frank was Vice-President of the Chicago Chapter. Visitation will be Thursday, October 20 from
3:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the Nelson Funeral Home, 820 Talcott Rd., Park Ridge, IL,
telephone 847-823-5122. The funeral will
be at 9:15 am, Friday, October 21 from the funeral home to Mary, Seat of Wisdom
Church, 920 Granville Ave., Park Ridge, IL.
Mass at 10:00. Entombment - All
Saints Cemetery Mausoleum, Des Plaines, IL.
10/10/05 - The Reinke
family called me last night and said Shirley, wife of the late Illinois
Division Conductor Gene Reinke, passed away Sunday evening (October 9)
after a long battle with cancer.
Arrangements are being handled by the Brust Funeral Home, 135 South Main
St., Lombard, IL, 630-629-0094.
Visitation will be Wednesday, October 12 from 3:00 to 9:00 pm. Services will be at the same location at
11:00 am on Thursday, October 13, 2005. (Forwarded by Mark Llanuza)
10/05/05 - The
family of the late Illinois Division Conductor Gene Reinke wanted all his friends to know that his wife, Shirley, is gravely ill. Shirley
has been fighting cancer for the last 4 or 5 years and has taken a turn for the
worse. Friends can obtain up-to-date
information from either of Gene &
Shirley’s daughters – Kathy (630-293-1734) or Karla (630-670-4073). More information will be posted as it becomes
available. Please keep Shirley in your
thoughts and prayers. (Forwarded by Mark Llanuza)
09/18/05 - Got some bad
news. Jim Ousley, who was a Coal
Line Engineer out of Bill, WY was killed on September 15, 2005 while he
was working on his car. He hired out of the CNW about 1989 and worked
in Kansas City before going to the Coal Line in 1991. (Submitted
by Dave Hawley)
08/30/05 – From Mary
Flynn: Two and one-half years ago, my husband casually
mentioned to his doctor to check his PSA count in a routine blood test. A man
wants to have a PSA count of 0 or 1 or 2 or 3. His was 94. He took the test the
next week and it was 154.
We were eventually told by the Northwestern Hospital (downtown Chicago) Cancer Specialist that he had an aggressive prostate cancer which had already spread to his lymph nodes. He told us that Rick had two years to live, it was too late to do anything, and go home to find a doctor in McHenry. Of course we left there devastated. We went home and my husband called his 3 children to tell them the news. It was Easter Weekend.
Luckily
we had a friend who had gone through this and told us to go to a prostate
cancer support group in Palatine called "US TOO". Visit "ustoo.org". Support groups
are all over the country.
This
was the last thing we felt like doing. But we dragged ourselves there anyway.
We met men of all kinds, doctors, blue-collar workers, scientists, office
workers, some men in their 40's and 70's, and all surviving prostate cancer.
Some have been fighting it for 10 years. They have a good life and are happy to
share how they did it. There are alternative types of therapy to the
traditional surgery, chemo and radiation.
They
laughed at the doctor's death sentence and told us what to do. We did it. He had NO chemotherapy, NO radiation, and NO surgery. Today Rick still has a
zero PSA count for the last year. He runs his business, plays golf, travels,
and works in the yard. He even eats
steak and pizza once in a while. And he has met another grandchild that he
would not have.
Will
Rick's cancer come back? Maybe. Will he get another form of cancer? Maybe. But
that is the same answer for all of us. And we have tools now to reduce the risks
and to improve his odds. And we have people who have experience to offer their
guidance. And we have direct contact with the best prostate cancer doctors in
the country.
These
guys picked us up and put us back into the fight against prostate cancer. It is
uncomfortable to talk about. But it will eventually affect most men. And these men at US TOO have a lot of information
on helping to stop prostate cancer in our younger men. There is even an
immunization in the near future which may help protect our young men.
US
TOO now have corporate sponsors such as Motorola , Northwest Community
Healthcare, Whole Foods, Nicolet Water, Motor Werks and Barrington Lions Club.
US TOO is an international grass roots organization to provide information and
options that many doctors never bother to give or don’t know about. On their
board are the Professor and Chief of Urology from University of Chicago
Hospitals, retired Sr VP Motorola, retired Exe. Dir of Barrington United Way,
retired VP of Abbott Labs, Sales Director of TAPS, Inc., and a doctor from the Kellogg Cancer Center in
Evanston. (He is my husband's doctor).
On
Sunday, September 18th, 2005, US TOO is holding the "Greater Chicago
Prostate Cancer Run, Walk'nRoll Event."
If
you want to participate in the Walk/Run in Rolling Meadows, send me a note and
I will forward details. Or you can visit www.signmeup.com/52019.
If
you would like to support our run/ walk (we are walking) with a donation to US
TOO, you can forward a check to us made out to "Greater Chicago Prostate
Cancer Walk". Your donation is tax deductible. No amount is too small.
Each donation helps. This money will be used to finance education and research
into prostate cancer.
Our address is: Rick and Mary Flynn, 1912 Settlers Court, McHenry IL 60050.
Also,
if you have any issues with any cancer for yourself or others, please visit or
write to the WELLNESS CENTER at 1619 W Colonial Parkway, Palatine IL 60067.
This is a Cancer Resource Center with guidance for all types of cancer. These
folks provide free information and guidance. Their website is www.wellnessplace.org.
No men should be dying of prostate cancer anymore! And Rick is going to visit the Northwestern doctor and give him an update!
07/23/05 – We have a
message from Captain Wally Lindemann!
He’s been discharged from the rehab center and is back home where some
additional home-based rehabilitation will take place. We’re glad to hear this Wally and wish
you the best for a real fast recovery.
07/12/05 – Retired Chicago
Terminal engineer and World War II Coast Guard veteran Charles E. Scott
passed away on July 4, 2005. Services
were held on Wednesday, July 6, 2005 at St. Peter the Apostle Church in Itasca,
Illinois with interment in Mt. Carmel Cemetery.
Our heartfelt sympathy goes to Charlie’s family.
07/10/05 – Retired Wisconsin Division conductor Captain
Wally Lindemann suffered a heart attack on July 8, 2005. He is out of intensive care and recovering at
the Heartland Health Care Center - Washington Manor Home, Room 305, 3100
Washington Road, Kenosha Wisconsin 53144, 262-658-4622 where he will be
undergoing rehab. Wally expects
to remain at Washington Manor for at least another ten days and wants all his former
buddies at Butler, at Metra in Chicago, and most especially at Bain, Kenosha
and Waukegan to know that he's on the road to recovery and will back on his
feet soon. Your cards and letters to Wally
at 1940 27th Ave #303, Kenosha, WI
53140-6303 will be appreciated. (Updated
by Norm Siler, 07/13/05.)
Revised: 06/02/08
Copyright © 2004-2008 - Veterans’ Association of the
Chicago & North Western Ry.