Obituaries, March 2024 | Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle

Obituaries, March 2024

Randall “Randy” Aronson 

Randall “Randy” Aronson died Feb. 2, 2024, at the age of 73.   

Beloved husband of Karen Aronson (nee Cobb). Cherished father of Cara (fiancé Deron Coleman) Aronson, Ian Aronson, and Marisa Aronson. Further survived by other loving relatives and dear friends. 

Funeral services held Feb. 7 at the Goodman-Bensman Whitefish Bay Funeral Home. Interment was at Second Home Cemetery, Milwaukee. Rabbi Shari Shamah officiated. Memorial contributions to Southern Poverty Law Center appreciated. 

David Borkin 

David Borkin, 63, of Fox Point, died Jan. 30, 2024. 

Loving father of Tyler (Tracy) Borkin and Lindsay Borkin. Beloved son of Vivian Borkin (nee Caracciola). Dear brother of Marla (Michael) Roth. Proud uncle of Michael and Marissa Roth. Treasured grandfather of Hannah and Noah Borkin. Preceded in death by father Joel Borkin and sister Lori Hunt. Further survived by other relatives and friends. Graveside services were held Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024, at Mound Zion Cemetery, Brookfield. Memorials to Medical College of Wisconsin Neuroscience Research Center. 

Rabbi Joel Alter and Blane Goodman Funeral Service assisted the family. Memorials may be sent to Medical College of Wisconsin Neuroscience Research Center. 

Robert Wayne Boxer 

Robert (Bob) Wayne Boxer of Punta Gorda, Florida, 83, passed away Feb. 5, 2024, after battling a long illness. He was with Tidewell Hospice at LifeCare Center in Punta Gorda, Florida.  

Bob was born on June 6, 1940, in Milwaukee, to the late Dr. Leo and Gertrude (Dobrick) Boxer.  He is survived by his wife, Kay, (nee Feldstein) son, Paul (Dorit) of Memphis, Tennessee.  He was predeceased in death by his son, Douglas, and Sister, Suzanne (Gordon) Delaunais, of Milwaukee, his brothers’-in-law, Dr.  Robert Feldstein (Rivian) and Dr. Charles Feldstein (Patricia). Also survived by two grandchildren (Sarah and Jonah) special sisters’-in-law Janice (Richard) Francois of Punta Gorda and Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin; Rivian Feldstein, Thousand Oaks, California; and Patricia Feldstein, Haley, Idaho, along with several nieces and nephews and many special relatives and friends throughout the country. 

Bob attended Townsend and Peckham Junior High on Milwaukee’s west side before moving to Whitefish Bay. He graduated from Whitefish Bay High school in 1958. He began his college education at Marquette University, graduating with an accounting degree in 1963. He met his future wife, Kay, while briefly attending the University of Wisconsin in Madison, Wisconsin in 1960. They married on Aug. 18, 1963, shortly after he graduated from Marquette University with a B.S. degree in business administration. He began his career at an accounting firm in Milwaukee, before starting his own sales company. He was president of Aero-Chem Corporation where most of the products manufactured were sold to law enforcement. After selling his company, he spent the last 30 years of his career with the Enforcement Technology Group as vice president of sales to the law enforcement industry. 

Bob was an avid golfer and enjoyed football and tennis in his youth. He also served as an assistant coach for his sons’ little league baseball teams. Bob remained an extremely loyal sports fan of Wisconsin collegiate and professional football (Badgers and Packers) and basketball (Milwaukee Bucks and Marquette Eagles). He was also known to enjoy watching many sports teams on television, especially golf championships. After moving to Florida, he soon became a fan of all Florida football teams (the Miami Dolphins and Tampa Bay Buccaneers). 

While living in Milwaukee for most of his life, Bob and his family were affiliated with both Temple Sinai and Temple Shalom during his residence in Fox Point. He once served as president of the Brotherhood at Temple Sinai. The children were confirmed at Temple Sinai. After the children left home, the family transferred membership to Congregation Shalom, where their son, Paul, was married to Dorit Shiloah in 1992. 

Bob was a very sincere and social person who made people feel comfortable in his presence. He was very well-liked by his friends and loved by his family for his kind ways and will be forever missed. 

Bob wanted his friends and family to remember him in their own way. Memorials can be made to a charity of one’s choice. Interment at Spring Hill Cemetery in Milwaukee, through Kays, Ponger, Uselton, Dignity Memorial Funeral services.  www.kayspongerpg.com.   

Jonathan Frank 

Jonathan Frank died Feb. 19, 2024, age 52, of Glendale.  

Loving husband of Rachel Frank and son-in-law of Marcia Laskey. Cherished son of Eli (Linda) Frank and the late Sue Boxer Frank Delaunais. Dear stepbrother of Jonathan (Amy) Ansfield. Adoring nephew of Alan (Barbara) Frank and the late Robert (Kay) Boxer. Preceded in death by grandparents Bee (Mike) Frank and Gertrude (Leo) Boxer. Further survived by cousins, other relatives, and friends. Funeral services were February 26, 2024 at Congregation Emanu-El B’ne Jeshurun, 2020 W. Brown Deer Road, River Hills. Interment at Greenwood Cemetery, 2615 W. Cleveland Ave., Milwaukee. Donations to The Friendship Circle of Wisconsin, Congregation Emanu-El B’ne Jeshurun, North Suburban Special Olympics, or M.P and Beatrice Miller Frank Fund for Exceptional Needs, Jewish Family Services, Milwaukee, 1300 N. Jackson Street, Milwaukee, WI 53202. 

Jonathan was involved with Friendship Circle for many years and met his wife there. 

Cantor David Barash and Blane Goodman Funeral Service assisted the family.  

Benyamin Godkin 

Benyamin Godkin died on Jan. 29, 2024 at the age of 97.   

Beloved husband of the late Olga Tolkacheva. Loving uncle of Alla (The late Igor), Levin, Liliya (Naum) Shapiro, Gregory (Tonya) Godkin, and Albert (Galina) Godkin. Further survived by other relatives and friends. 

Graveside funeral service held Feb. 1 at Mound Zion Cemetery, Brookfield. Rabbi Shlomo Kittner officiated. Goodman-Bensman Whitefish Bay Funeral Home assisted the family. Memorial contributions to the charity of your choice appreciated.  

Thea Greenberg 

Thea Greenberg (nee Goldstein), died on Jan. 31, 2024 at the age of 95. 

Thea’s life was a reflection of her devotion to family, who respected and adored her. She was a woman of strong values who lived independently on her own terms. Until the end of her life, she meticulously managed everything from finances to food preparation to regular communication with family and friends. She was an excellent cook who willingly shared her recipes. To the end, when she gave Susan a grocery list it was in the order of aisles in the store! Within the last two years, she learned to handle a smartphone in order to enjoy pictures, videos and FaceTime with family. Judaism played an important role in her life as she kept a kosher home until she moved into an apartment following Stanley’s death. The word that most describes Thea is “practical” from beginning to end. Thea was preceded in death by her devoted husband of 63 years, Stanley Greenberg as well as her beloved daughter Bonnie and grandsons Mikey and Adam El Masri. Also preceded in death by dear sisters Dorothy Nashban and Bernice Greenberg. She is survived by her loving son Gary Greenberg (Susan Esser-Greenberg); her cherished grandchildren Austin Greenberg, Tera Shapiro (Daniel); and Nolan Greenberg (Lauren); as well as dear great-grandchildren Caleb, Ella & Maquel Shapiro and Jaxson Greenberg. Thea’s great mind was the silent partner in assisting Stanley with his insurance business. Her strength and resilience were evident as she survived the hardship of suddenly losing her beloved daughter Bonnie and grandsons Mike and Adam in 1991. She led by example as she left a strong legacy for her next generations to follow. Funeral services were held Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024 at Congregation Shalom, Fox Point. Interment at Spring Hill Cemetery, Milwaukee. Memorials to the Milwaukee Jewish Day School. Rabbi Noah Chertkoff and Blane Goodman Funeral Service assisted the family. Memorials may be sent to Milwaukee Jewish Day School. 

Howard “Chaim” L. Moeckler 

Howard “Chaim” L. Moeckler died Jan. 19, 2024, at the age of 96. Howard was born in Sheboygan on Dec. 10, 1927, to George and Lena Moeckler and was the brother of Harland Moeckler and Shirley Rabinowitz, who are also with us eternally. 

Howard is survived by Beverly, his loving wife of 74 years, his children Laurie (Rick) Rittberg, Jim (Donna) Moeckler and Harlan (Lisa) Moeckler. He was fondly called “Papa” by his many grandchildren and their families. Howard is further survived by extended families at synagogues and blessed by friends spanning several generations. This collective community has and continues to provide love and support to his family. 

A special thanks to Howard’s primary caregiver Lou for her compassion, love and dedication, Horizon Homecare and Hospice (nurse Sami and social worker Josh) and the teams at Ovation Communities (Chai Point) for their professional care and all-encompassing love to Howard and the whole Moeckler family. 

Private services were held on Jan. 22, 2024 at Mound Zion cemetery. Rabbi Taylor Poslosky and Cantor David Perper officiated.  Goodman-Bensman Whitefish Bay Funeral Home assisted the family.  Memorial contributions to the charity of your choice appreciated. 

Hans Moser 

Hans Moser died suddenly Feb. 10, 2024 at the age of 87. Survived by his loving wife of 63 years Donna. 

He will be missed by his children Steven, Mitchell (Cheryl), Sheryl (Michael), Rebecca and daughter-in-law AnDenice. Further survived by his grandchildren Libby, Max, Sam (Ariela), Jeremy, Daniel, Gabriel and Talia. Hans was a district agent for Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company.  

He hired and trained scores of successful agents. His agency was consistently in the top 10 agencies nationwide and he was a highly regarded personal producer who was frequently among the top five nationwide. He and Donna had wanderlust, covering much of the world first by foot and as age set in decided cruising was the way to go. He was very philanthropic in supporting many organizations. He loved tennis and golf. He will be missed dearly. Funeral services were Friday, Feb. 16, 2024, at Congregation Emanu-El B’ne Jeshurun, 2020 W. Brown Deer Rd., River Hills. Interment at Second Home Cemetery, 3705 S. 43rd St., Milwaukee.  

Memorials to BBYO/Rose Kulakow Angel Fund at the Milwaukee Jewish Community Foundation, Congregation Emanu-El B’ne Jeshurun or Congregation Kol Ami. Rabbi Jessica Barolsky assisted the family, with Blane Goodman Funeral Service. Memorials welcome to BBYO/Rose Kulakow Angel Fund at the Milwaukee Jewish Community Foundation, Congregation Emanu-El B’ne Jeshurun or Congregation Kol Ami. 

Ruth L. Peterman 

A Milwaukee native, Ruth was the youngest daughter of David and Rose Cohen, surviving her brother, Jerry, and her sisters, Sylvia and Shirley. Each lived into their 90s, with Shirley living to 102 and Ruth just shy of 101. The two sisters lived in the same complex in their later years and spoke daily, often discussing managerial decisions by their beloved Brewers. Age finally forced Ruth to move to assisted living ten minutes from her daughter and son-in-law, Shelley and David Schwarz, in Madison, but she continued to be a warm, active and curious person up to the end of her life. A voracious reader, she loved classical music, Broadway and the Great American Songbook, and she frequently beat her children (and grandchildren) in solving Wordle. She also did the New York Times Crossword Puzzle – in ink.  

Ruth married her high school sweetheart, Bill (who passed in 1990), and during their thirty-eight-year marriage they raised Shelley, Steve and Tom. They also served as surrogate parents to a generation of Milwaukee kids who spent their weekend nights eating or working at The Pizza Wagon, the landmark family restaurant they owned and operated in the 1950s and 60s.  

She is survived by her three children; son-in-law, David Schwarz; and daughter-in-law, Susan; her grandchildren, Jamie and husband, David Agay, Andy Schwarz and wife, Ronit; Jordan, Joel, Kevin, Blake, and Will Peterman; and great-grandchildren, Jordan, Matt, and Levi Agay, and Gali and Oren Schwarz. She was adored by them all and her memory will be treasured by them and the extraordinary number of people she touched with her love, compassion, and sense of justice.  

Private services held. Rabbi Taylor Poslosky officiated. Goodman-Bensman Whitefish Bay Funeral Home assisted the family. In lieu of flowers, donations to either Oakwood Village, where Ruth made her home the last three years (oakwoodfoundationinc.org), or Agrace Hospice (agrace.org), which gave her such care in her last days, would be greatly appreciated. 

Sandra “Sandie” Radosevic 

Sandra “Sandie” Radosevic, 88, (née Trosch, formerly Berlin) died peacefully on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024. Beloved wife of the late Raymond Radosevic. Loving mother of Marshall (Melody) Berlin and Craig (Dawn) Berlin. Proud grandma of Jessica Berlin and Austin Berlin and Alexis Berlin. 

Sandie was a caring, outgoing, sassy, spunky, loving, one-of-a-kind person. If you met her, you would never forget her! To know her was to love her. She would always bring a smile to your face and make you laugh. She would not hold back her opinion and would give it to you whether you asked for it or not. 

Sandie was very proud of her family and always cherished the time they spent together. 

The family would like to thank Wellington Place at Hartford for their excellent care and family atmosphere they provided over the last year. 

Private family services held. Church and Chapel assisted the family.  

Margot Lynn Raz 

Margot Lynn Raz (nee Cohen) died on Feb. 9, 2024, at the age of 86.  Beloved wife of the late Alan Moglowsky and the late Jack Raz.  Loving mother of Steven Moglowsky, Karen (David) Friedlen, Keith (Jackie) Moglowsky, and Neal (Cindy) Moglowsky. Proud grandmother of Robby, Alex and Abby Friedlen; and Hannah, Rachel, Keegan and Kali Moglowsky. Preceded in death by siblings, Ellyn Wheeler and Burton Cohen, and parents, Theodore and Bessie Cohen. 

Private services held. Goodman-Bensman Whitefish Bay Funeral Home assisted the family. Memorial contributions to Congregation Shalom appreciated. 

Audrey Rubin 

Audrey Rubin (nee Mindell) died on Jan. 23, 2024 at the age of 95.   

Beloved wife of the late Joseph Rubin.  Loving mother of Richard (Nancy) Rubin and the late Lanie (Joel) Kosberg; and proud grandmother of Scott (Julie) and Steven Rubin.   

Graveside service held Jan. 28 at Second Home Cemetery, Milwaukee. Rabbi Taylor Poslosky officiated. Goodman-Bensman Whitefish Bay Funeral Home assisted the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions made to the charity of your choice appreciated. 

Walter D. Shapiro, MD 

Walter D. Shapiro, MD, died on Feb. 2, 2024, at his home at the age of 99 1/2.   

He is survived by his devoted wife of over 75 years, Judith (Sweet); children, Robyn (Charlie Barr), Amy (Ruth Irvings), and Dan (Jill); grandchildren, Tania, Jeremy, Michael, Jonah, Ari, Andrew, and Emily; and great-grandchildren, Benjy, Jesse, Ellie, Lydia, and Levi as well as other relatives and friends.  Preceded in death by mother, Rose; father, Abraham; and sister, Florence (the late David) Waisman. The family wishes to thank his dedicated caregiver, Benny. 

Walter was a brilliant and passionate physician of internal medicine whose commitment to his patients was only surpassed by his devotion to his wife and children and their families.  

Funeral services held at Congregation Shalom on Feb. 5. Interment was at Mound Zion Cemetery, Brookfield. Rabbi Chertkoff officiated.  Goodman-Bensman Whitefish Bay Funeral Home assisted the family. 

Betty Gordon Weitzen 

Betty Gordon Weitzen lived each day to the fullest, up until her last breath on Monday, Feb. 5, when she died peacefully in her sleep at the age of 96. 

The daughter of Jewish immigrants who fled Tzarist Russia in search of a better life in America, Betty was born on the West Side of Milwaukee in 1927. As the youngest child, Betty was the first to learn and teach the rest of the family English. This role of teacher was one Betty embraced throughout her life as she always loved to learn, and especially enjoyed helping people, plants, and ideas grow. A woman of profound knowledge, perseverance, grit, and resilience, Betty was a trailblazer and family matriarch who broke so many glass ceilings and then some. 

Betty’s childhood was defined in many ways by the Great Depression and World War II, which cultivated a practical and modest sensibility that Betty would carry with her throughout life. Despite her family’s limited financial means, education was paramount, and Betty excelled at school. A brilliantly independent mind from her early days, Betty was active in her high school’s newspaper, forensics, and other academic activities, though she lamented dress codes that required girls to wear dresses when she just wanted to wear pants. 

During a time when many women did not have the opportunity or expectation to go to college — and fewer joined the professional world — Betty enrolled at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. It was on campus while attending a military ball for GIs that Betty met the love of her life, Samuel Weitzen, a World War II Navy veteran. They quickly fell in love and within a year were married. Sam became a successful lawyer, and Betty pursued work in education. A few years later, Betty left the workforce as they welcomed their son, Jay, and a few years later, their daughter Caren. 

It was at this pivotal time, as a young mother, that Betty was dealt an impossible blow with the abrupt passing of her husband Samuel following a cardiac emergency. In this moment, Betty pledged to do the unthinkable: to keep going, on her own terms. Betty doubled down as single parent and as professional, re-starting her career while raising two young children on her own. Determined to financially support her family while remaining a present parent, Betty went back to school and earned a Masters degree in Library Science. As a teacher and librarian for many decades in the Milwaukee Public Schools, Betty nourished a love of books for generations of students. She became a relentless advocate for rights for teachers and resources for students, and was very active in the historic educator strikes of the 1970s across Wisconsin. Betty’s ability to ignite curiosity and learning inspired the library at Steuben Middle School to be named in her honor, and her name adorned the walls there for many years.  

Betty knew life was not a spectator sport, and she invested in her health and well-being, always making sure to exercise both her body and her mind so that she would be at her best for herself and her family and friends. Over the years, Betty took up many hobbies and passions, including gardening, walking, swimming, water aerobics, tai-chi, belly-dancing, piano lessons, Mahjong, bridge, stock trading clubs, book clubs, literature and travel around history and the arts, and many recreational and social activities. She nourished strong relationships with her family and friends, projecting her love of learning onto her children and grandchildren, many of whom went into education themselves.  

Betty lived her final days as she had lived her whole life; with dignity, independence, and yes, that essential ingredient of all strong women, a healthy amount of stubbornness. 

Betty is preceded in death by her husband, Samuel Weitzen, whose yahrzeit is also this week, as well as parents, Sol and Bessie Gordon, and siblings, Max, Fannie, and Robert Gordon. Betty is survived by her daughter, Caren (Donald) Bass, and son, Jay Weitzen (Sara Epstein); grandchildren, Samantha (Stanton) Abramson, Mitchell (Sara) Bass, Erica (Jeffrey) Fishbach, and Samuel Weitzen; and great-grandchildren Sadie Abramson and Nathan and Ryan Fishbach. Betty is further survived by other loving relatives and dear friends. 

Graveside funeral service held February 8th at Spring Hill Cemetery. Rabbi Jessica Barolsky and Cantor David Barash officiated. Goodman-Bensman Whitefish Bay Funeral Home assisted the family. Donations to Congregation Emanu-El B’ne Jeshurun or American Cancer Society appreciated. 

Paul Whiteman 

Paul Whiteman, 99, died on Jan. 28, 2024. In 1942, at the age of 18, Paul enlisted to fight in World War II. He served his country as an Aerial Gunner in the Army Air Corps. During his life, he was an accomplished psychologist and an avid sailor. He enjoyed a nice dram of whiskey, a warm bowl of oatmeal, and a decent joke, not necessarily in that order. He is survived by his wife Rochelle, his daughter, Lorelei Allen, his son Adam (Elissa) Whiteman, son-in-law Lawrence Zlatkin and his grandchildren, Sarah Allen, Matthew Allen, Nathan Whiteman, Noah Whiteman, Daniel Zlatkin and Rebecca Zlatkin. He is predeceased by his daughter, Maureen Whiteman Zlatkin. He will be missed. Graveside services Wednesday, January 31, 2024, at Greenwood Cemetery, 2615 W. Cleveland Ave., Milwaukee. Memorials to Ovation Chai Point. Rabbi Steve Adams and Blane Goodman Funeral Service assisted the family.