Obituaries, September 2022 | Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle

Obituaries, September 2022

 

Nissan Buium Bar-Lev 

Nissan Buium Bar-Lev, age 78, died unexpectedly on Aug. 2, 2022.  

Preceded in death by his parents, Hayyim and Haya Buium, and granddaughter Julia Bar-Lev. Survived by his loving wife of 46 years, Candy Bar-Lev, beloved children Joshua (Camaron), Benjy (Lauren), Ari (Ali), and Abby (James), and adoring grandchildren, Isabelle, Ruby, Sammie, Jake, Asher, Noah, Isaac, and Micah. Also survived by beloved colleagues in special education throughout the state and country. 
 
Born in Romania at the end of World War II, Nissan immigrated to Israel as a young child. At 21, he moved to the U.S. to pursue his dream of helping children with special needs, a dream that he worked to accomplish every day through the last day of his life. Generations of children with special needs are better off because of Nissan’s tireless advocacy. 
 
Nissan was deeply proud of his family, his work, his vegetable gardens, and the life that he and Candy created with their family. He will forever be known for his endless support of his children and grandchildren, his dedication to everything he endeavored, and his boundless generosity and energy. He will be deeply missed, but he will live on through all the good he did in the world. 
 
Funeral services were Aug. 5, 2022, at Congregation Shalom, 7630 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Fox Point. Interment at Mound Zion Cemetery, Brookfield. Memorials to Democratic Party of Wisconsin, Autism Society of Greater Wisconsin, or Congregation Shalom. 

Rabbis Ron Shapiro and Noah Chertkoff assisted the family, with Blane Goodman Funeral Service. 

 
Natalya Bekker 

Natalya Bekker (nee Pevzner) died on Aug. 12, 2022, at the age of 45.  Beloved daughter of Eugenia and Yefim Pevzner and granddaughter of Khyena Zavelevich.  Loving wife of Chaim Feinbein.  Cherished mother of Chaya and Chana Bekker and Aidel, Batsheva and Nechama Feinbein.  Further survived by other relatives and friends.  Private services were held at Mound Zion Cemetery. Goodman-Bensman Whitefish Bay Funeral Home assisted the family. 

Stanton J. Bluestone 

Stanton J. Bluestone, 87, of Hilton Head Island died Aug. 15, 2022. He was born in Canton, Ohio on August 22, 1934 to Nettie and Sol Bluestone. 

Stan was educated in Cincinnati where his family had relocated. He was a graduate of Walnut Hills High School and the University of Cincinnati with a business degree in marketing. 

Stan’s professional career began at Shillito’s Department Store, a division of Federated Department Stores rising quickly to reach the level of vice president and divisional merchandise manager. He was hired by P.A. Bergner and Company of Peoria, Illinois as president of one of two department store groups in 1971. He accepted positions in specialty stores in Indianapolis, Indiana and New York where he rounded out his ready to wear education (1977-1985). 

In 1985, Stan and family moved to Milwaukee where he rejoined P.A. Bergner and Company, now headquartered in the upper Midwest having purchased Carson Pirie Scott, a well-known and respected Illinois retailer. Stan was hired as president and COO. He became CEO in 1991 and chairman of the board in 1994, serving in that capacity until his retirement in 1999. 

Stan was an active community volunteer in Milwaukee serving on the boards of the Milwaukee Art Museum and the Milwaukee Symphony where he became board president in 1997. Stan also volunteered actively in the Milwaukee Jewish Federation. 

Stan married his wife Judy in 1961 and with their children Steven and Ellen enjoyed life and adventures together. In 2000, Stan and Judy moved to Hilton Head where Stan became active in Congregation Beth Yam where he served as president from 2006-2008. He was instrumental in raising 2.3 million dollars toward the renovation of the synagogue. In Hilton Head, Stan served on the board of Volunteers in Medicine. The Bluestones moved to The Cypress in 2021. 

Stan is survived by his loving wife Judy; daughter Ellen of Asheville, North Carolina; son Steve (Karen) of Fairfax, California and grandchildren Amelie, Noah and Gabriella. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Gordon. 

The funeral service was Aug. 19 at Congregation Beth Yam. Burial at Six Oaks Cemetery in Hilton Head. 

Contributions in Stan’s memory may be made to Congregation Beth Yam, 4501 Meeting Street, Hilton Head Island, SC, 29926 or Volunteers in Me. 

Charlotte Cohen 

Charlotte Lillian Cohen died peacefully in her sleep on July 24, 2022. She was 90. 

She would be the first one to tell you that she had a great life and never had a serious illness. She was born Jan. 3, 1932, in Milwaukee at home to Rose and Leo Stern.  

Graduated from North Division High School in 1949. Charlotte began working for Boston Store on 4th and Wisconsin Ave, then worked at Bitker-Gerner, a fashionable women’s clothing store on 3rd and North Ave. While working at BG, she met a young man, Jack Cohen, at a mutual friend’s birthday party. Jack’s family owned the deli at 17th and North Avenue (now Jake’s Deli) and lived above it.  

The couple had many dates at The Canadian Club in the Third Ward. They enjoyed concerts at the Washington Park Bandshell, attended State Fair, movies, dinner at Mammy’s, a hamburger at Pig ‘N Whistle in Shorewood, and La Joy Chinese Restaurant. After the two were engaged, Charlotte invited Jack to her parents’ home for dinner, but was mortified when her mother presented liver and onions for dinner. To Charlotte’s surprise, Jack was thrilled to be served one of his favorite dishes.  

Charlotte and Jack were wed March 15, 1954 at the Lubavitch temple on 52nd and Burleigh. Of special note, Charlotte’s mother Rose insisted that everyone get half a chicken, not the customary quarter chicken. The couple honeymooned in Chicago at the Ambassador West Hotel. 

Jack and Charlotte resided in Milwaukee in an apartment on 50th and Burleigh. In March of 1955, Charlotte gave birth to her first son, David, to be followed by Barry in 1957, and then third son Laurance in 1960. Charlotte and Jack continued to press on hoping for a girl, and they were blessed with their daughter Stacy in 1961. They resided at that time in the lower duplex on N. 76th St. David Wolkenstein, the pharmacist, and his family lived upstairs. Charlotte was a stay-at-home mother. 

The couple moved to N. Prospect Ave. The couple built a new deli in Shorewood, “Cohen’s Nosherie” (now Benji’s Delicatessen) in 1963. After other business ventures, the couple operated coin laundries in several apartment buildings around Milwaukee, leading to the purchase of Campus Laundromat near UWM, and later four more laundromats. Charlotte was instrumental in the interior decorating of all the laundromats. 

In 1969 Charlotte and Jack purchased a wonderful home on Hackett Ave. in Shorewood that Charlotte decorated simply and tastefully. Charlotte enjoyed playing bridge with her friends, and she and Jack played tennis often with friends. The couple moved to an apartment at White Oaks in Fox Point and later moved to a 13th floor apartment downtown on Waverly St. overlooking Lake Michigan.  

Charlotte enjoyed spending time with her friends Vera Landry, Dittie Pittleman and Julie Eckhardt. 

During one of the family vacations to Florida in the early 1980s, Charlotte first saw The Summit, a newly built condo complex of twin towers on the ocean in Hollywood. Charlotte commented to Jack, “how wonderful it would be someday to live here.” Her dream was to come true in 2003 when she and Jack purchased a two-bedroom condo at The Summit, overlooking both the ocean and the Intercoastal Waterway.  

Charlotte maintained her good humor and sweet disposition until the very end. Dementia set in at the beginning of 2021, and despite wonderful care by Jack and her son Laurance, by the end of the year, she and Jack decided to move to Minneapolis where their daughter Stacy oversaw their care. Charlotte was taken care of by the sweet folks at The Willows of Arbor Lakes in Maple Grove, Minn.  

Charlotte and Jack were married for 68 years. She was a wonderful wife and mother, and a fun human being.  

A graveside service was officiated by Rabbi Menachem Rapaport at Agudas Achim Cemetery. 

David A. Kimmel 

David A. Kimmel, age 77, Oak Creek, died unexpectedly on July 25, 2022. 

Formerly of the Elmbrook School District and Cardinal Stritch University. Survived by Rhonda S. Kimmel; Dan (Sharon) Kimmel; Hannah Kimmel; Donna Kimmel; Lynda Ferstadt Kimmel. No service is planned. To honor him please plant a tree or donate to Second Hand Purrs Cat Shelter. 
 

Eva Kokin 

Eva Kokin (nee Bam) died on Aug. 15, 2022 at the age of 86. 

Beloved wife of the late Adolf Kokin. Loving mother of Sofia (Arthur) Ottow, Eliezar (Leah Brocha) Kokin and Ester Riva (R’ Alexander) Milchtein. Proud grandmother of 22 grandchildren. Dear sister of Yefim (Zhana) Bam.   

Graveside funeral services held Aug.16 at Beth Hamedrosh Hagodel Cemetery, Milwaukee. Rabbi Alexander “Sasha” Milchtein officiated. Goodman-Bensman Whitefish Bay Funeral Home assisted the family. Memorial donations to Home Sweet Home, TP, 1960 Schenectady Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11234 appreciated. 
 

Allen Newman Rieselbach 

Allen Newman Rieselbach, Milwaukee, died Aug. 2, 2022. He was 91.  

A lifetime resident of Milwaukee, except for his years at Harvard College and Law School, and as a staff judge advocate in the U.S. Air Force, Allen aimed (in his words) to “maximize the experience of life to help his family and community.” His generosity, compassion, enthusiasm and affection will be greatly missed by his wife of more than 66 years, Patricia (nee Fried) Rieselbach, his children, William (Sara) and Anne (Grant Marani), his grandchildren, Matthew Marani and Julia Marani (Nicholas Batie), and his brother, Richard E. Rieselbach, M.D. (Nina), sisters-in-law, Margaret Hillman (John Hillman, M.D.), and brother-in-law, Richard M. Fried (Barbara), as well as cousins, Charles Hays, Pat Baer, and Leroy Rieselbach, nieces, and nephews.  

Living in Milwaukee on the Lake Michigan shore brought him the opportunity to challenge the Lake’s waves and winds in boats both small and large. Rowing on the river was a calmer sport he pursued as well as biking, tennis and cross-country skiing.  

Allen found the practice of law truly rewarding. After serving in the U.S. Air Force as a staff judge advocate (leaving active duty as a captain), he joined the Reinhart, Boerner, Van Deuren Law Firm, S.C. As a firm partner, he established warm relationships with his clients, and his partners and associates while building the firm’s Real Estate Department in size and stature. He chaired the Milwaukee Bar Association’s Real Property Section, was a director of the Real Property, Probate and Trust Section of the Wisconsin Bar; co-edited the Wisconsin State Bar Condominium Handbook, and was a member of the Board of Governors of the American College of Real Estate Lawyers. Allen received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Milwaukee Bar Association. 

His community service included serving as chairman of the board of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and as a board member of the Milwaukee Repertory Theatre (where he chaired the Building Committee during the construction of the current theater); he served on the board of the United Performing Arts Fund and received the Steimke Award for his outstanding service to Milwaukee’s Performing Arts. He served as president of the Harvard Club of Wisconsin and on the Board of Congregation Sinai. He was also an active member of the campaign cabinets for UPAF, the Boy Scouts, the Milwaukee Jewish Federation and the United Way where he chaired the Professional Division and the Division for Individual Gifts and acted as a community Ambassador.  

An active Boy Scout, Allen earned the rank of Eagle Scout and the Order of the Arrow, and, as an adult, received the Silver Beaver award for his years of service as a scoutmaster, as chairman of the Northeast District, and on the Board of Directors of the Milwaukee County Boy Scout Council.  

His family is very grateful for the care and support of the many caregivers and support staff at Saint John’s Communities as well as those of St. Croix Hospice.  

Funeral service held on Aug. 24 at Congregation Sinai.  Rabbi David Cohen officiated.  Goodman-Bensman Whitefish Bay Funeral Home assisted the family. Gifts in his memory may be made to the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, the Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, The Parkinson’s Foundation, or the charity of your choice. 

Allan Vesokie 

Allan Vesokie died Aug. 2, 2022 at the age of 84.   

Beloved husband of Diane Vesokie (nee Lichtig). Loving father of Daniel and Ross Vesokie. Dear brother of Janice (the late Fred) Meyer and the late Marilyn Eskin. Further survived by other relatives and friends. 

Graveside funeral service held Aug. 4, 2022 at Mound Zion Cemetery, Brookfield.  Rabbi Gil-Ezer Lerer officiated. Goodman-Bensman Whitefish Bay Funeral Home assisted the family. Memorial contributions to Temple Menorah appreciated.