Obituaries

Delbert Billings, 88, of Oakdale, died peacefully on August 7, 2025, surrounded by loved ones at home. On July 3, 1937, Delbert was born to Burdette and Clara (Martin) Billings in Green Forrest, Arkansas. He began working at the young age of 13 at a local grocery store in Topeka, Kansas. Delbert moved to Wisconsin in his early 20’s with his family to farm. On August 20, 1966, Delbert married the love of his life, Joyce Stayton, at Bethel Baptist Church in Camp Douglas. Joyce soon moved to the farm where they were able to raise their 5 children together. Outside of farming, Delbert worked at Camp Williams as a facility repairman and security until his retirement on March 31, 2000. When he wasn’t working, he enjoyed tending to his vegetable garden, woodworking, spending quality time and joking around with his brothers, and tinkering with his John Deer tractors. In his later years, Delbert enjoyed driving out on his Kubota and visiting with the Amish, and at times, picking them up alongside his son, Bart, as well as playing cards and marbles. He was a passionate motorcyclist who often rode with other church friends calling themselves Heaven’s Angels. Together with Joyce, they traveled across the United States to various places, some favorites being Colorado and Washington. Most recently, his favorite place became his chair, where he enjoyed spending time watching the Wheel of Fortune. Delbert’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren became the highlight of his life in his later years.  Delbert will be deeply missed by all that knew and loved him.

Delbert is survived by his wife of 59 years, Joyce; 5 children, Ronnie (Shelly) Stayton, Laura (Patrick) Wetley, Verna Gebhardt, Becky (Mark) Campobello, and Bart (Dawn) Billings; 15 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; siblings, Marvin Billings, Dottie Frye, and Paul Billings; He is further survived by his several brothers and sisters in law, his church family, and many other dear friends, and family members.

Delbert is preceded in death by his parents, Burdette and Clara; grandchild, Kelly; siblings, Mary Heise, Mike Billings, Donna Billings, “Birdie” Billings, and Richard Billings, who he considered to be his best friend; and his several brothers and sisters in law.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at 11:00 AM, at Bethel Baptist Church, N9498 1^st Avenue, in Camp Douglas. Pastor Ian Fennell will officiate. Family and friends are invited for a time of visitation on Saturday from 9:00 AM until the time of the service. Burial will take place at a later date. Online condolences may be given at www.sonnenburgfamilyfh.com Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Edith A. (Shaw) Beres, age 93 years, of Union Center, Wisconsin, passed away on Thursday, July 31, 2025 at Bethel Oakes in Viroqua, Wisconsin.

She was born on July 28, 1932, the daughter of Wilbur and Florence Shaw of Mauston, Wisconsin, where she was raised.  She came from a musical family.  She was in the school band, a baton twirler, played drums, piano and learned to tap dance.

After graduating from Mauston High School in 1952, she worked at Schultz’s dime store in Elroy and later was employed in the home of Ronald and Barbara Brunner for a number of years.  She enjoyed spending time with family and friends, going out to eat, dancing, playing cards, dominoes, swimming and taking long drives in the country.  She even took a trip with a girlfriend to Hawaii.

Edith married the love of her life, Floyd Beres on June 29, 1992 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Elroy, Wisconsin.  They lived in Millards Prairie and later in Union Center, Wisconsin.

She was an active member of St. Patrick’s, St. Theresa’s and St. Jerome’s Catholic Churches.  She belonged to the choir, Altar Society and sang for weddings and funerals.  She was President of the Mauston Deanery, 2 years for Elroy and 2 years for Wonewoc.

Edie was a long-time member of Millard’s Prairie Home Makers and enjoyed sewing and crafts.  She was well known for her contagious giggle, her kind and generous nature.  The most special events in her life were trips with Floyd to Rome, Italy, Alaska and Germany and celebrating her birthdays, which were a party all week long.

Edith was a devoted wife, wonderful cook, loved to garden and paint with water colors.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Floyd; her parents; brothers, Richard and John Shaw and brother-in-law, Clarence Beres.  Survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, August 16, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Jerome’s Catholic Church in Wonewoc, with Father Don Bauer officiating.  Interment will be in the St. Theresa’s Catholic Cemetery in Union Center.  A time of visitation will be at the Picha Funeral Home in Wonewoc on Friday, August 15, 2025 starting at 5:00 p.m., with a KC Rosary held at 6:00 p.m.

The Picha Funeral Home in Wonewoc is assisting, for online information go to www.pichafuneralhomes.com

Jean E. (Birch) Kissinger, age 84, of Arkdale, Wisconsin passed away on Friday, July 25, 2025, surrounded by her family under the loving and heartfelt care of the medical staff of Wisconsin Rapids Riverview Hospital. Born on September 15, 1940, to the late William and Ethel (MacDonald) Birch in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Jean graduated from Waukesha Catholic Memorial High School with the class of 1958. With the union of her first marriage, she had three children, Sue, Cindy and Jerry. Jean raised her children, as a single mother. She worked for Pewaukee Stark Candy Company, Waukesha County Health Department, then worked many years for Waukesha County Human Services until retiring in 1995. On April 15, 1989 she married a long time friend, Bob Kissinger, who became the love of her life. They were married and resided in the City of Waukesha then moved permanently to the weekend/vacation lake home in the Town of Rome. After retirement their final move was to Arkdale.

Following Jean’s retirement she volunteered her time reading to young children in the local elementary school. She loved children and always wanted to work in an orphanage. She also volunteered her time with the Department of Aging of Adams County and in her earlier years she enjoyed and taught line dancing with her husband Bob. A few of her favorite hobbies were her daily devotions, praying for her family and friends, quilting, Tai Shi, gathering at the town hall for a weekly game of bunco, or creating a new community involved activity, jumping on the four wheeler or golf cart for a ride in the woods. Jean was an avid reader, exchanging books with family members. In her earlier years she hunted deer alongside Bob, which later developed into happily hosting the hunters year after year. Most of all, she loved spending time with or having family around. She especially loved Christmas time when we would all gather together. If you couldn’t make it, she would make her way to you. She was very involved with her family with daily and weekly calls or text messages, not missing what was going on in their lives. She was so proud of each and every one of them. If she couldn’t be at a ball game or activity, she was online watching. If there was something going on in the family, she would do her best to get there.

She was a member of Lake Area Christian Fellowship in the Town of Rome and had recently returned to her faith as a Catholic at Sacred Heart Church in Nekoosa. Jean will be lovingly remembered by her family and friends as a kind, strong, giving person who was always there for you, ready to listen. She had a strong faith in God. She continually amazed her loved ones.

Jean is survived by her children: Sue Smaaland, Cindy (Kurt) Knutson, Jerry (Rachel) Hoeppner, Chad Kissinger, Todd Kissinger, grandchildren: Billy (Joanna) O’Malley, Donny (Natalie) O’Malley, Bryan O’Malley, Dan (Jenny) Knutson, Jenessa (Matt) Eales, Nicki Hoepner, Jessica Hoeppner, Alex Thomas (fiance’ Lizzy Leidel), Brooke Thomas, Ashlynn Hoeppner, Codey (Ashley) Kissinger, Sheena Kissinger, 11 great grandchildren, sister MaryJo Kaatz, brother-in-law George Balles, sister-in-laws: Lorie Birch and Karen (Mark) Holzwordt, many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Bob Kissinger, sister Catherine Balles, brother Chuck Birch, brother-in-law Del Kaatz and son-in-law Terry Smaaland.

Celebration of Life to be held on September 13, 2025 at the Monroe Township Townhall, 981 County Rd Z, Arkdale, WI 54613 at 11:00 a.m., officiated by Reverend Sue Smaaland.

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