Madison West High School Class of 1958

This obituary appeared in the Madison papers, on July 12, 2006. “David” was the husband of classmate Jill (Sievers) Elver

Elver, Charles “David”

BOCA RATON, FLA. – David Elver, age 66, departed this life on Sunday, July 2, 2006, after a courageous battle against diabetes and cancer. He was born in Madison on June 28, 1940, the son of Hugh and Dolly Elver, and his caring stepfather of 27 years, A. Howard Wessel. David attended elementary school in Madison and high school at Monona Grove. As a teenager he worked in the family restaurants, known to many as Dolly’s. On Jan. 24, 1959, he was united in marriage to Jill C. Sievers at Lutheran Memorial Church in Madison. David thoroughly enjoyed his many years in law enforcement and proudly served the communities and their residents. David served from 1961-1971 as a police officer for the Town of Madison and City of Verona police departments. In 1971 he accepted his first police chief’s position in Stanley. David also served as chief of police in Darlington, Decorah, Iowa, and Lead, S.D. From 1982-1987 David was the director of security for Homestake Mining Company, located in Lead/ Deadwood, S.D., and one of several companies owned by the William Randolph Hearst family. David was always involved in civic organizations and community events. Some of these included the Lions Club, Kiwanis and Darlington Canoe Festival. He was also the founder of the July 4th Fireworks Festival, held in Lead, which is attended by several thousand people annually. David was also an avid fundraiser for the Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Telethon. As chairperson for the event, several thousands of dollars were raised annually for “Jerry’s Kids”. Through the efforts of many volunteers, various businesses and support by the local newspapers, radio and television stations, and citizens, they were able to raise the most money, per capita, for several years. David always enjoyed helping and working with people. He will be remembered for his natural ability to communicate with people of all ages and walks of life, along with his gentleness and compassion. David is survived by his wife of 47 years, Jill of Boca Raton, Fla.; his three children, Charles Jr. of West Palm Beach, Fla., Kimberly Elver of Roswell, Ga., and Dennis “Hugh” of Charlotte, N.C.; his most loving sister, Mrs. Richard “Jackie” Mackesey of Cottage Grove; and seven nieces and nephews. David was preceded in death by his parents and stepfather. A memorial service will be held in honor of David on Friday, July 14, 2006, from 10 a.m. until noon at ROSELAWN MEMORIAL CEMETERY in Monona. A reception dinner will be held afterwards. If I should ever leave you, whom I love, to go along the silent way, grieve not, nor speak of me with tears, but laugh and talk of me as if I were beside you there. I’d come if I could find the way. But would not tears and grief be barriers; and when you hear a song or see a bird I loved, please don’t let the thought of me be sad For I am loving you just as I always have You were so good to me. There are so many things I wanted still to do and so many things I wanted to say to you. Remember that I did not fear it was just leaving you that was so hard to face We cannot see beyond but this I know: I loved you so t’was heaven here with you.

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Click here to view Victor Gallina Sr. obituary notice.

This obituary appeared in the Madison papers, in April 2006. “Charlie” was the husband of classmate Barb (Watts) Ploetz.

Ploetz, Charles John

MIDDLETON/ PRAIRIE DU SAC – Charles John Ploetz died Easter Sunday, April 16, 2006, at the age of 88, at Hospice of the Valley in Tempe, Arizona. Formerly of Prairie du Sac and now Middleton, he spent part of each year in Arizona enjoying warm weather and spring baseball. Born September 1, 1917, son of Leonard and Elizabeth (Boehmer) Ploetz, Charlie’s formative years were in Prairie du Sac and Lodi. He started college at River Falls, later transferred to the University of Wisconsin where he received his bachelor and law degrees. It was after this that he attended Harvard Business School in the first MOC class. He married Margaret Stevenson of Arlington in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the day he graduated from Harvard. Margaret was the mother of his three children. She died in 1968 after a long struggle with MS. In 1972 he married Barbara Watts in Middleton. They had dogs. During World War II he served his country in the U.S. Navy as paymaster for the South Pacific submarine fleet aboard the U.S.S. Fulton. Following his career in the Navy he started a law practice in Prairie du Sac which he continued until he made a career change in the early 1970’s to banking. At the time of his death he was chairman of the board of the Bank of Prairie du Sac. He is survived by his wife, Barbara; daughters, Pamela (John Henderson) Ploetz of Madison, and Patricia (Edward Matthees) Ploetz of Minneapolis; son, Steven (Lori Marx) Ploetz of Prairie du Sac; parents of his two grandchildren, Paula and Andrew Ploetz. Charlie was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Margaret; and his brother, Leonard. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday, April 24, 2006, at 2 p.m. at ST. PETER’S CATHOLIC CHURCH, 7125 County Road K, Ashton/Middleton. It will be concelebrated by Father Jim Hennen and Father Bud Hollfelder. Interment at St. Aloysius Cemetery in Sauk City will be private. Charlie loved the beauty of flowers and requested that you send them to yourself or a friend. Should you wish to make a memorial, he has requested it be to Catholic Charities, 702 S. High Point Road, PO Box 46550, Madison 53744-6550; or to the charity of your choice. He was beloved by his family. He will be sadly missed by them, the Stevenson and Watts families and his many, many friends. Cress Funeral & Cremation Service 3610 Speedway Road (608) 238-3434 http://www.cressfuneralservice.com

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