Current Services

Helen M. Cooley

   Helen M. Cooley, age 86, of Lancaster, passed away on Thursday, November 20, 2008 at Orchard Manor after a short illness.  She was born on July 21, 1922 in Platteville, WI, the daughter of William and Cordelia (Holzer) Sherwin. 

     Helen was always a homemaker.  Her mother died when she was six years old.  She attended school in Platteville.  When she was 14, Helen kept house for her father and brothers after her sisters left home.  After her father died in 1941, she moved to Lancaster to live with her sister, Frances.  Helen met and married Carl Cooley on November 18, 1942 and together they farmed in Beetown township for 40 years, raising a family of six children.  They moved to Lancaster in 1982 as the sons took over the farm.  They celebrated their 47^th wedding anniversary prior to Carls death in June of 1990. 

     Helen loved her family and looked forward to them dropping by and raiding her cookie jar for chocolate chip cookies or her apple pie.  Even the grandchildren and great-grandchildren knew where to find them.  She loved to babysit for the grandchildren and great-grandchildren; she felt that spoiling them was her job. 

      Helen was a member of the Beetown Busy Braves 4-H Club for many years and the Grant County Farm Bureau, serving on various boards.  She was elected Mrs. Farm Bureau in 1981.  Helen volunteered at the Lancaster Care Center, helping residents play bingo.  She was a member of St. Clement Catholic Church.  Helen liked to play cards, bake, tend to her flowers and bum around as she put it.  One of her favorite sayings was “give me flowers now, not when I’m dead.”

      Helen is survived by her six children:  David Cooley, Bloomington, James (Gloria) Cooley, Lancaster, Barbara Cooley, Marion, IA, Michael (Geri), Gary “Doc” (Ann) and Kevin Cooley, all of Lancaster; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; her sister, Frances Reuter, Platteville; her daughter-in-law, Barbara Cooley, Bloomington; sisters-in-law, Dorothy Cooley and Kathleen Sherwin both of Lancaster and Jeanette Sherwin, Platteville

     She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Carl; her sister, Geneieve Losch; four brothers, Clarence, Raymond, Guerdon and Donald Sherwin.

      Funeral services will be held on Monday, November 24, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Clement Catholic Church in Lancaster with Father William Seipp officiating.  Burial will be in Hillside Cemetery, Lancaster.  Visitation will be held on Sunday from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. and Monday from 9:30 a.m. until time of the services all at the church.  In lieu of plants and flowers, a Helen M. Cooley memorial fund has been established.  Schwartz Funeral Home in Lancaster is serving the family. 

Joseph F. Kozelka

   Joseph F. Kozelka, age 68, of Bloomington, died Thursday, November 20, 2008 at UW Hospital in Madison.  He was born on September 14, 1940 in Crawford County, the son of Frank and Maxine (Johnson) Kozelka.  Joseph was united in marriage to Sandra M. Karau on July 3, 1970 in Merrill, WI.

   He worked at National Decorated Metal in Prairie du Chien and also for Fuller Logging until health issues required him to retire.  Joseph was a member of St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church in Prairie du Chien.  He was an avid outdoorsman and especially enjoyed hunting and fishing.  Joseph also loved his family dearly. 

   Joseph is survived by two daughters:  Debie (Eric) Knapp, Bloomington and Denise Kozelka, McGregor, IA; three grandchildren:  Telishia, Mariah and Eithan; his wife, Sandra Kozelka, Prairie du Chien; three brothers:  John (Rosemary) Kozelka, Sparta, Mike (Kris) Kozelka, Prairie du Chien and Frank (Jerri) Kozelka, Trempealeau; two sisters:  Shirley (Harold) Berberich, Onalaska and Sharon (Steve) Schriener, Eastman; many nieces and nephews.

  He is preceded in death by his parents; a brother-in-law, Robert Fisher and an infant niece.

Diana J. Pasold

    Diana J. Pasold, age 68, of Rockford, IL formerly of Bagley, WI died November 15, 2008 at the home of her son in Rockford.  She was born January 30, 1940 in Potosi, WI, the daughter of Harry and Virginia (Pickett) Schiffman.  On April 23, 1960, she was united in marriage to Robert C. Pasold at the United Methodist Church in Lancaster, WI. 

      Diana endured a constant battle of many health issues for many years.  With a great deal of compassion as a caring wife, mother, grandma, sister and in-law, she always wished her family and friends were happy and full!  Diana was involved in many activities as she worked as a laborer in many fields of business manufacturing, cleaning services, and as a senior caregiver.   She loved fishing, boating, and beaching. Diana learned from her mother cooking, crafting, quilting and gardening.  She loved fun and games, cards, and dice. Diana was an avid supporter of the Green Bay Packers and Wisconsin Badgers.

     Surviving is a son, Sheldon (Naomi) Pasold, Rockford, IL; two grandsons:  Derek Pasold, Tulsa, OK and Brandon Pasold, Rockford, IL; four brothers, Don (Eileen) Schiffman, Bagley, Doug (Marion) Schiffman, Cassville, David (Connie) Schiffman, Rockford, IL and Dick (Shirley) Shiffman, Potosi; three sisters; Darlene O’Farrell, Riverside, CA, Sharlene (James) Udelhoven, Tennyson and Debbie Dirksen, Rockford, IL and many, many nieces and nephews.

     She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Robert, on April 21, 2006 as well as one sister, Eileen Tracy and a brother, Dale Schiffman.

     Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, November 25, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. at the Schwartz Funeral Home in Lancaster with Pastor Mary Ann Floerke officiating.  Burial will be in Hillside Cemetery, Lancaster.  Visitation will be held on Tuesday from 11:00 a.m. until the time of services at the funeral home.