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Sidney Gene Mead was born March 4, 1938 (“the day the lights came on in the valley”) at his home in Henrietta Township in Cazenovia, Wisconsin. He went to be with his Lord on Saturday, August 31, after a long battle with many health issues.

He was the middle child of Henry and Mildred (Satterlee). Growing up on a farm cultivated his hard work ethic and love for animals. Sid attended Richland Center High School (Go Hornets!) where he was a featherweight Golden Glove boxer.

 After high school, Sid enlisted in the U.S. Army and served six years in the Army Reserves as a supply clerk. During this time, he found the love of his life, Mary McGarty. The story goes that Mary felt sorry for people in the military who did not receive letters, so she was given Sid’s address from her friend, and they became penpals. They first met when he got off the train in Elroy, coming home on leave. Sid and Mary proceeded to have dates playing Monopoly and Canasta under the watchful eye of Mary’s mother. They were married on September 7, 1957, at St. Patrick’s Church in Elroy. They were looking forward to celebrating their 67th wedding anniversary. Sid and Mary’s marriage was blessed with six children.

Sid was an auto mechanic in the area for many years. He then started Mead’s Road Service, a 24 hour towing service which he and his wife ran for 13 years. Always putting others first, Sid’s kindness, compassion, and generosity was felt throughout the community.

Sid was a member of St. Patrick’s Church in Mauston for most of his life. He was the president of the Metropolitan Car Club of Wisconsin. Sid and Mary enjoyed many road trips with their little black and white “Met”. He and Mary enjoyed camping and making friends with fellow campers.

Sid was known for his great sense of humor. He had a zest for life and desire to lift the spirits of all those around him. People who knew him will always remember him laughing, joking, playing harmonica, and trying to make others smile.

Sid is survived by his loving wife, Mary; his brother Carl Mead (Reedsburg); his children: Peggy (Randy) Adank of Lone Rock, Sidney Jr. (Sally Mulroy) Mead of Florida, John (Karen) Mead of Mauston, David (Audra) Mead of Wautoma, and Richard (Amy) Mead of Plover; his grandchildren: Adam, Heather, Amanda, Rabi, Damion, Katie, and Riley. He also had twelve great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

 He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Mildred Mead, his daughter, Kathleen, his siblings, Charlotte Daniels, Shirley Kidd, Cecil Mead, and his brother-in-law, Rich McGarty.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Fairview Nursing Home for the excellent care and love they gave Sid.

 Services for Sid will be held on Thursday, September 5, 2024, at St. Patrick’s Church in Mauston. Visitation will start at 10 a.m. and the funeral Mass will be at 11:30 with a luncheon to follow. Sid will be buried in St. Patrick’s Cemetery with military honors.

In loving memory of Joseph Dominic Artuso, also known as Joe, Joey, Jofess, age 35, who tragically passed away on August 22, 2024.  Joe was born in Harvey, Illinois and grew up in Arkdale, Wisconsin. Joe attended Adams-Friendship high school where he played football, was Homecoming King, and graduated in 2007. He went on to attend DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois graduating with a bachelors degree, focusing on Business Finance and Marketing. After graduating, Joe worked in banking and finance. His passion for working with people led him to the service industry, where he remained for many years employed in Illinois and Wisconsin. He took pride in working at Yak-Zies located in Wrigleyville in Chicago, bartending during the 2016 World Series, when the Cubs took the win. In recent years he was well known and loved as a caddy at Sand Valley Golf Course in Rome, WI as “Spiderman” and worked at Jacoby Custom Cues in Nekoosa, WI. Joe found playing guitar to be therapeutic. He dedicated countless hours to learning how to read music, play guitar and sing. He was vocalist and lead guitar in a local band he founded with his childhood friend, The New Toys. He wrote an original song and knew how to play many. His heart belonged to the blues, but his love for music was vast. He also loved being on the golf course and playing pool (billiards). He played in multiple tournaments and on various teams. Pool also became a therapeutic outlet and major focus of his life. He loved nature and adventure. Joe traveled throughout the United States exploring National Parks and Cities. He dreamt of living a nomadic lifestyle seeing the world. He enjoyed hiking, bass fishing and kayaking. He was a phenomenal uncle and his legacy will live on through River, Ryan, Joe and Sean. In every stage of his life, Joe made lasting friendships and touched the lives of those he met and spent time with. Joe’s wisdom, kindness and generosity was received by many. He is survived by his mother, Nancy Artuso, his sisters Alexis Artuso (Don) and Laurie Yankauskas (Dominick) his brothers Leo Artuso Jr. (Karen) and Josh Ready (Missy) and his partner Kalissa Winkels. He also left behind his companion, his dog Rosie. Joe is preceded in death by his father Leo Artuso and sisters Theodora Artuso and Angel Artuso. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Nancy Artuso at 1149 15th Avenue Arkdale, WI 54613

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A Celebration of Life Gathering will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 7th, 2024 at the Lake Arrowhead Park Shelter, 324 15th Ave., Nekoosa, WI 54457.

Robert Harry Allen, 96, of Mauston, WI, passed away at Springbrook Village in La Crescent, MN on Friday, June 21, 2024. Memorial services will be held on Saturday, September 7, 2024 at 11:00 AM at Bethany Lutheran Church in Mauston. Burial will follow in the Mauston Oakwood Cemetery. Friends may call at the church on Saturday from 10:30 AM until the time of service. A complete obituary is available at www.schumacher-kish.com.