Lawrence W. Clark, of Redgranite, passed away December 22, 2024, at age 86. A husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, Larry had a heart of gold and will be dearly missed.
He was born August 18, 1938, in Ladysmith, Wisconsin. He and his beautiful bride, Joan, were married June 28, 1958. Together they raised three daughters, first in Neenah and then in Poy Sippi. Lawrence worked in the printing industry before joining the Waushara County Highway Department, where he kept the streets plowed and in working order for 25 years. Lawrence danced to polka music, watched “Jeopardy,” took care of the birds, loved a good meal at Mimi’s, and enjoyed a cigar with friends. He attended his grandkids’ dance recitals and football, hockey, and baseball games and shared his “million-dollar smile” with all who knew him. He was an avid Packers fan from the days of Lombardi until now.
Judith Mary “Judy” Gravunder, age 80, of Berlin, died peacefully on Sunday, December 15, 2024, at Omro Care Center.
She was born August 10, 1944, in New Auburn, WI, the daughter of Clifford and Lorraine Hoefert Nyhagen. Judy was a 1962 graduate of New Auburn High School. She graduated from UW-Oshkosh School of Nursing with an RN degree. On May 25, 1963, she was united in marriage to Eugene Gravunder at Bethel Lutheran Church in New Auburn, WI.
Judy started her career doing in-home health care before becoming a registered nurse. She worked as an RN at Berlin Memorial Hospital, WI Veterans Home-King and Red Cross until her retirement at age 68. Judy enjoyed knitting and she and Gene loved to travel and dance. They were even crowned polka king & queen! Judy was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Redgranite.
Gregory B. “Greg” Coats, age 77, of rural Neshkoro, formerly Winneconne, passed away on Friday, December 6, 2024, after a courageous battle with cancer at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Appleton.
He was born December 13, 1946, in Stevens Point, WI, the son of Cecil Sr. and Marie Mansavage Coats. His family relocated to Milwaukee where he graduated from Milwaukee Boys Tech High School. On December 7, 2002, he was united in marriage to Suzanne “Sue” Bestor Wagner at Emmanuel United Church of Christ in Oshkosh.
Greg proudly worked for Pierce Manufacturing in Appleton as a welder building those beautiful fire trucks. He continued friendships with many of his coworkers after retiring in 2013. Greg also worked a part-time delivery route for the Berlin Journal for several years after retiring from Pierce. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, always happy to supply plenty of venison and blue gills for family gatherings. He never missed an opening day of gun deer hunting since he was just a kid, and through sheer determination and help from his hunting buddy, Randy Duley, he was able to have his final hunt opening day this year.
Wayne Edward Hobbs, age 71, of Berlin, died peacefully on Monday, December 2, 2024, at Cherry Meadows Hospice in Appleton.
He was born August 16, 1953, in Berlin, WI, the son of Fredward and MaryJo Zink Hobbs. After graduating from Berlin High School in 1971, he joined the U.S. Army to serve his country.
Wayne worked for Oshkosh Truck for 25+ years, spending the majority of his career as an assembler. He was a member of UAW Local 528, and was a strong leader for his union. Throughout his lifetime, Wayne enjoyed fishing, playing cribbage, watching anything on the SiFy channel, and spending time socializing with his friends and family.