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Richard “Dick” Beier, 75, passed away on June 21, 2024, at the Mayo Hospital Emergency Room after dealing with multiple health issues over the last several years.

Dick was born on March 28, 1949, at the Sparta Hospital to Cecelia (O’Rourke) and Frank Beier of Wilton.

A quiet man for the most part, Dick wasn’t afraid of conversation. Anyone that spent time talking with him played a risky game, never knowing if they’d receive just a simple statement or some long-winded story about the past – usually with some nugget of information that had been long forgotten. He was a walking encyclopedia when it came to knowing who had lived in Wilton and the surrounding areas, remembering who had occupied certain farms and houses for multiple generations. Having context in terms of local history was important to Richard and it was something others approached him about to gain a better understanding of the past. The topics didn’t really matter to Richard, though, as he just enjoyed talking about anything with anyone.

Dick grew up in Wilton, Wis. enjoying small town life to its fullest. In the 1950s, that meant running with the kids in the neighborhood, going swimming in the Kickapoo River, hiking up to Man Rock and watching the trains come and go through Wilton. He remembered that in one of his elementary school classes, they took a train ride to Sparta and back as a field trip.

Over the years, he told many stories of his school days at both Wilton and at Royall High School in Elroy. His class was the first from Wilton to spend all four years at Royall. It was there he met more lifelong friends. He often told the stories of crusin’ around backroads, going to dances and having that ‘special beverage’ with them while cleaning up some of the tales of the adolescent tomfoolery that also happened along the way.

As much as Dick enjoyed a good time, he loved to work. He was meticulous when it came to most projects that he undertook—everything had to be done in the right order and done correctly or done over.

Developing that work ethic started with his role in family business – the Beier chicken hatchery. He and his siblings would tend to chores in the barn in the backyard before and after school. During high school, Dick worked for Frankie Wendt as a typesetter for the Wilton Digest – Star Herald. Following high school, Dick went to Western Wisconsin Technical Institute (now Western Technical College) in La Crosse for commercial printing.

Dick’s career path included several businesses, including Pyroil, NCR in Viroqua, Fine Arts Checks in Madison and Doyle HandyMark in Mauston. At Doyle HandyMark, Dick was able to be part of an apprenticeship program, which he enjoyed and was proud to complete. It was there that he worked on printing stickers from a small movie called Star Wars which were included in General Mills cereals. Dick spent nearly 12 years at the Tomah Journal as a pressman before lengthy stints at the Hillsboro Sentry Enterprise and the Monroe County Publishers (now known as Evans Media Group).

When there was free time, Dick found pleasure in hunting and fishing. A day in a tree stand was, to him, one of the best ways to spend time. At home, bird watching was important. Dick spent time identifying and cataloging the birds that would come to the various feeders around the house. He was known for his beautiful, large garden that he tended and harvested every year—weeds didn’t have a chance of survival! There was an old Harley Davidson motorcycle that occupied plenty of Dick’s time as well – though he seemed to spend more time trying to get it to run than actually riding it.

Tending to the barn was another important part of his hobby life. Dick invested countless hours ensuring his barn was the crown jewel of the block, with improvements every year to give it a look that honored its history serving the Beier hatchery business.

Perhaps the most well-known pastime Dick enjoyed was his love of music – bluegrass, in-particular. He taught himself to play harmonica at the mid-point of his life and would sometimes be coaxed enough to perform for audiences. He would attend Bluegrass festivals and played with countless musicians through the years, but did have a fondness for the groups he performed with later in life at senior meal sites.

His newest love was his granddaughter, Freya. He became “Papa” to her and he loved to watch her play, explore and grow in her ever-changing world.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents, sister Fran and her husband Bill Neuman, ex sister-in-law Glory Mollnick, sister-in-law Sherri Savall.

Richard is survived by his wife, Linda (Savall) of 47 years; sons, Nathan (Logan Everson) and Johnathan (Megan Sievers); one granddaughter, Freya Beier; brothers, Verdell (Mary) Beier, and LaVern Beier; along with many cousins, nieces, nephews and dear friends.

A celebration of Richard’s life will be held Friday, JULY 12, 2024, 11:00 a.m. at Torkelson Funeral Home, 1132 Angelo Road, Sparta, WI. Family and friends are invited to the funeral home on Friday, July 12, for visitation from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Lunch will be served immediately following the funeral. A private interment will be at a later date.

The Torkelson Funeral Home of Sparta is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be offered at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.

Michael E. Wittig (Mike), aged 73, passed away peacefully on June 14th at Cumberland Medical Center in Crossville, TN, following a brief battle with a rare condition. Born on January 11th, 1951, in Milwaukee, WI, he was the son of Eugene and Carmella Wittig, and one of eight siblings.

Mike graduated from Boy’s Tech High School in Milwaukee and proudly joined the Marine Corps in 1969. His military service was a significant part of his identity, including time spent in both the Marine Corps and the Army, though he always identified as a Marine. In the mid-1990s, Mike discovered his true professional calling as a financial planner, a role he deeply believed in and excelled at. He built countless friendships and touched many lives in his job, friendship that lasted a lifetime.

A devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend, Mike took immense joy in the achievements of his family, and his pride in them was unwavering. He was known for his eloquent writing and thoughtful advice, which he generously shared with those around him.

Mike was married to his first wife, Patricia, for 40 years until her passing in 2013. He later married Elizabeth (Liz), with whom he spent nine wonderful years.

He is survived by his wife Liz, children, Mikel (Kellie) Klossner (Mark) and Vincent Wittig (Kate), and his stepchildren, Christine Koerner, Jamie Percifield (Glenn), and Jim Lewis. He was a proud grandfather to Harrison, Bennett, Scarlett, Sidney, Sylvia, Kevin (Amanda), Jacob, April, and Nolan. Michael was also blessed with great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

A graveside service will be 12 Noon on Friday, July 12th, 2024 at Fordham Cemetery, Friendship, WI. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Fisher House, which supports veterans’ families with housing during medical crises.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the caring staff at the Nashville VA and his care team at Cumberland Medical Center. Mike will be deeply missed and remembered for his kindness, generosity, and ferocious love of his family.

Willard Robert Loring “Willie”, age 96, of Friendship, Wisconsin passed away Tuesday, June 18, 2024, at his home surrounded by his loving family.

Memorial service will be 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 27th, 2024 at the Arising Christian Church in Friendship, Wisconsin. Rev. Dennis Quinnell will officiate. Visitation will be at the church on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service.

Willard was born July 31, 1927, in Freeport, Illinois to Russell and Alice (Toelle) Loring. He was a WWII veteran serving in the Army Air Corp in Okinawa, Japan.  Willie married Linda Jane Stachowicz on June 2, 1984, in Freeport, IL.

He was an avid Chicago Bears Fan and loved watching the Bears and Packers games. He also enjoyed fishing and hunting and sharing lots of great stories, smiles, laughter, and memories made along the way. He loved sitting outside listening to country music.

Willie was preceded in death by his parents: Russell and Alice Loring; first spouse, Jean Loring; daughter, LeAnne Golden; great-granddaughter, Elise Moyer; and siblings: Donna, Joyce, and Dwyane.

Survivors:

Wife: Linda Loring of Friendship, WI

Daughter: Toni (Randy) Picha

Son: Kevin Loring

Daughter: Robin Timmer

Grandchildren: Chad Picha, Angie Picha, Brad (Taryn) Golden, Michael Golden, Jared Loring, Sarah (Chris) Moyer, Meghan (Andy) Stith

Great-Grandchildren: Ember, Ireland, Kara, Brooke, Ryan, Megan, Sonni, Dante, Kaylyn, Charleigh, Kaylie, Aubriella, and Madalynn

Roseberry’s Funeral Home is assisting the family. Visit www.roseberrys.com for online condolences and further information.