POSTCRESCENT.COM SUNDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2020 9A APPLETON -Wayne Robinson passed peacefully from this earth on Saturday, December 19, follow- ing a short illness. He was a father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend who made the world a better place by being here. Wayne was born June 14, 1933 inNeenah to Layne and Clara Robinson. He married the love of his life, RitaVoissem on September 7, 1953. They were married for 67 years.
Wayne was a proud U.S. Army veteran, serving in Korea from 1953 to 1955. Later in life, one of his most memorable experiences was anOld Glory Honor Flight with other veterans to Washington, D.C. He was employed at Gilbert Paper Company as a millwright in the main- tenance department, and worked there for 44 years before retiring in 1995. After retiring, he took a job as a driver for the Straight Shot courier com- pany, where he delighted in driving across the country making deliveries.
He stayed with Straight Shot for 18 years, eventually logging more than 1 million miles of driving. This provided his and which he and Rita used to escape theWisconsin winters by snowbirding inArizona during January and February for many years. Wayne enjoyed gardening, especially growing Brandywine tomatoes for himself and his son Jeff, and waged a constant war against any rabbits that dared to nibble at his vegetables. He cultivated roses, and enjoyed camping and traveling. He was a master woodworker, and a toy box that he made many years ago is still in the Department of theMenasha Library.
He took great pride in the custom walking canes that he made, and gave many of them to friends. He was also a long-term volunteer Hunter Safety instructor and enjoyed the shooting sports. Wayne is survived by his wife of 67 years, Rita, and a sister Joyce (Donald) Tschirgi. He is also survived by his children Gary (Debora) Robinson, Greg (Julie) Robinson and Chris (Joan) Robinson.He is further survived by 10 grandchildren and 16 he delighted in seeing whenever he could. He was preceded in death by his parents, his stepmother Gladys Robinson, a sister Shirley (Richard) Birling, and a son Jeff (Sue) Robinson.
Wayne is also survived bymany good friends that hemade over the years. A funeral will be held at Valley Funeral Home, 2211 N. Richmond Street, Appleton 30.Visitation will be from 4:00 to 6:00, with a short service after. The service will also be livestreamed for those who cannot attend, or who may be at risk for Covid. Masks will be required.
The family wishes to thank the staff at the Grand Chute Fire Department, St. Elizabeth and Columbia St. Mary hospitals for their excellent care. Wayne (Robbie) Robinson NEENAH Diane F. (Kempen) Peroutka, 78, of Neenah, entered the arms of Jesus on Friday De- cember 18th, 2020 at her home with her family by her side.
Diane was born the 4th of 10 children toMargaret (Weyers) Kempen and Louis Kempen in Kennan, WI on February 3, 1942.As a small child her family ran a cheese factory and she later lived on a dairy farm with her parents and siblings. After graduat- ing from Phillips High School where she met the love of her life, Larry, she attended cosmetology school. She became a beautician and mom in her early She settled in Menasha and raised 3 children with her husband. Diane owned Designs hair salon from 1987 until her retirement in 2010. Her clients loved her and she loved making people look beautiful.
Her appointment book was always full for weeks in advance. She was a hard worker, often working 12-hour days and weekends to keep her friends looking great in hair emergencies. The job she loved is where she contracted the senseless disease of Mesothelioma which caused her death. She was a spunky little woman with the kindest heart and never a bad word about anyone. Diane had a strong Catholic faith and was a member and usher at St.
in Appleton. Diane was a beautiful woman inside and out. People often commented on her blue eyes and white hair. Mom loved to dress fashionably with her hair well done, terrific outfits complete with shoes, purse, and jewelry. Diane was a very good cook and had too much food at every gathering.
She loved all desserts and sweets, especially everyone envy her for eating somany treats and never gaining an ounce. She was generous and loved to treat her grandchildren to toys and fun events. She also was an excellent seamstress and craft person, making purses, mittens, and jewelry after her retirement. Diane will be sadlymissed by her family and friends. She is survived by her children Lynda Swenson, Lotti (Jay) Streck and Lance (Nikki) Peroutka.Her beloved grandchildren Brett, Calvin, Brooke Cole), Sydney, Ariana, Elijah and Oakley.
She is also survived by her siblings: Lorraine (Harold) Mustard, John Kempen, Ken (Ruth) Kempen, Carol (Merv) Rafko, George Kruppe, Pat (Beatle) Vollendorf, David Kempen, Dan (Sue) Kempen, Lee (Merry) Kempen. She is also survived by Brother-in- law George Peroutka (friend Andrea). She will be missed by many nieces and nephews, cousins, friends, and neighbors. Diane was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Larry in 2018. She was also preceded in death by her parents, sister Annie Kruppe, sister- in-laws Denise Kempen, Barbara Peroutka, in-laws Joan and Ottie Burger.
We would like to thank Mary of Hospice Care for her loving attention. A memorial service and celebration of life will be held July, 2021 in Phillips, WI. Donations can be made in name to the Eastern Wis- consin Chapter of Feeding America at www.feedingamericawi.org. Diane F. Peroutka WAUPACA Thomas 74, passed away unex- pectedly on December 21, 2020.
He was born February 13, 1946 in Fond du Lac to James and Genevieve (John- son) McNamara. He graduated in (1964) from St. Springs High School and then Spen- cerian College (1966) to pursue a career in court reporting. Thomas served in the U.S. Army and is a Vietnam Veteran and was part of the Judge Advocate Corps.
On June 6, 1970 he married Sherri Johnson in Appleton, and were married for 25 years and had three children. Thomas enjoyed spending timewith his children, grandchildren, and friends. He was active in youth baseball in Grand Chute as a coach when his sons Jon and Ryan were playing, and named Little League coach of the year inWisconsin during his tenure.He worked as an official court reporter for the circuit courts in Outagamie andWaupaca counties for his entire career, making many long lasting friendships along the way. Thomas al- ways had a kind and gentle sense of humor and welcoming heart.He enjoyed good food, Brewers baseball, current events, storytelling, and people. Hewas an incrediblementor, coach, sports fan, and father.
Thomas attended Saint Mary Magdalene Catholic Church inWaupaca. Thomas is survived by his loving and devoted children, Meggin (Steve Horn) McNamara, Jon McNamara, and RyanMcNamara, two grandchil- dren, Eva andKadenHorn. He is further survived by his former wife and mother of his children Sherri McNamara, special friend Linda Rodenz, and many other relatives and friends. Thomas was preceded in death by his parents, James and Genevieve, and sister Sarah. A celebration of life will take occur later as a small family gathering.
Cremation has taken place. Holly Funeral Home of Waupaca assisted the family with arrangements. Online condolences available at www.hollyfu- neralhome.com Thomas McNamara Obituaries APPLETON John Koopman, 88, of Appleton, succumbed to long-term heart and lung issues on December 22, 2020, with loving family by his side. He was the son of the late Ernest and Idella (Walton) Koopman, and was born and raised in Sibley, Iowa. His life was shaped by an intense and enduring interest he developed in opera.
He held two degrees in music from Drake University and also studied at Indiana University. He served in the army during the Korean conflict and later taught at Bethany College, in He thenmoved to to teach at the Conservatory of Music of Lawrence University for thirty-four years, during which he served as chair of the voice department and established the opera theatre program. He retired as Professor Emeritus in 1994. In retirement he remained a very active opera critic, and wrote numerous performance reviews for American and foreign magazines. His wife of 57 years, Elizabeth Jane (Hayes) Koopman, preceded him in death in 2009.
Surviving him are two of their (Lisa) and James (Kathy), four grandchildren, Rachel Pumroy (Adam), Daniel Koop- man, Ruth Anne Pumroy, and Zachary Koopman and two great grandchil- dren, Alexandria and Victoria Schaible. He is also survived by his beloved companion of recent Stowe, and by numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and in-laws. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Annette, two half-brothers, Harold Koopman and Cedric Klippstein, and his daughter, Ann (Eric). John enjoyed life immensely and once wrote: surprised and pleased to have ended up being the longest living male on my family tree. I must say had a great ride; a superb mother, an adoring aunt, a wonderful small-town childhood, a life made pleasurable by music and song, and the love and support of an incomparable wife and three great kids.
Then, in my later years, I found a wonderful, loving companion. I lived in ex- citing times, genuinely loved all of my in-laws, and enjoyed great friends and interesting travels. What more could one possibly hope for in a long, comfortable and productive existence? I hope you will enjoy your time as much as I have The family expects to hold a memorial celebration in Appleton in 2021, once the pandemic permits. If you wish to make a gift in memory, pleasemake to the Conservatory of Music, Lawrence University, inAppleton. For more information or to share a memory of John, please visit www.
wichmannfuneralhomes.com. John Koopman.
