Joseph “Joe” Charney
Joseph (Joe) Conan Charney, 88, died May 17, 2025, of natural causes, one day short of his 89th birthday. He was preceded in death by his beloved parents, Sydney and Rachel Charney, and his wife, Fran Charney (née Brody). Loving father of David (Lindsay) Charney and devoted “Papa” to his favorite pup, Boo.
Joe was a lifelong Milwaukeean and was affectionately known as “Cup of Joe.” Before retiring, he worked in the family’s real estate development business. In retirement, Joe was often found enjoying coffee and sharing stories of his world travels—frequenting Ma Fischer’s on the East Side or the Pfister Hotel downtown.
He was passionate about the arts, classic cars, architecture and food. The family extends heartfelt thanks to Lake House Assisted Living and Lily Hospice for their care.
A graveside service was held May 22, 2025, at Spring Hill Cemetery in Milwaukee. Rabbi Shari Shamah officiated. Goodman-Bensman Whitefish Bay Funeral Home assisted the family. Memorial contributions to the charity of your choice are appreciated.
Dr. Lawrence Allen Howards
Dr. Lawrence Allen Howards died April 23, 2025, at the age of 92, surrounded by family.
Larry was known for his intelligence, artistic ability, medical expertise and sense of humor. He always had a story and a joke on hand. With his wife of 60 years and best friend, the late Joyzele Howards (née Yanow), he traveled the world, photographed his journeys, and collected art that reflected their shared adventures.
Born in Wisconsin, Larry earned both his bachelor’s and medical degrees from the University of Wisconsin. He was a board-certified anesthesiologist at Sinai-Aurora Medical Center, where he served as chief of anesthesia and helped establish one of Milwaukee’s first chronic pain clinics. He also taught at the Medical College of Wisconsin and later offered legal medical opinions.
As a young man, he identified a dangerous bacterium in Waukesha’s water supply, preventing harm to many.
A Renaissance man, Larry was a competitive swimmer inducted into the UW W Club. He ran, cycled, lifted weights, and was an avid fan of the Packers and Brewers. Despite poor eyesight and later blindness, he sculpted, gardened, wrote editorials, recited poetry and played multiple instruments. He was curious about everything, especially science.
He was beloved by children and cherished by his grandchildren, for whom he created games, characters and memories filled with laughter.
Devoted husband of the late Joyzele Yanow Howards. Beloved father of Ianne (Steven) Koritzinsky and Mari (Darren Heitz) Howards. Proud grandfather of Alanna (David Arnold) and Jeremy (Aline) Koritzinsky. Further survived by relatives and friends.
Special thanks to Tina Becherer and the RMC Advocate Services team, Dr. Marc Rasansky, Horizon Hospice, caregivers Don and Lilian, and Story Point.
Graveside services were held April 27 at Spring Hill Cemetery in Milwaukee. Rabbi Noah Chertkoff officiated. Goodman-Bensman Whitefish Bay Funeral Home assisted the family. Memorial contributions to the MACC Fund are appreciated.
Tsilya Kelmanskaya
Tsilya Kelmanskaya (née Pesakov) died May 4, 2025, at age 90.
Beloved wife of the late Rovim Kelmansky. Loving mother of Ella (Vladimir) Izbersky and Leonid Sharnopolosky. Further survived by other relatives and friends.
A graveside service was held May 7, 2025, at Beth Hamedrosh Hagodel Cemetery in Milwaukee. Rabbi Yaakov Elman officiated. Goodman-Bensman Whitefish Bay Funeral Home assisted the family. Memorial contributions to the charity of your choice are appreciated.
Irving Koppel
Irving Koppel, a longtime California educator and social justice activist, died April 27, 2025, at age 96, at Duke Hospice Hock Family Pavilion due to complications from uremia.
Irving taught world history and French for more than 30 years, primarily at Irvington High School in the Fremont Unified School District. He was active in the American Federation of Teachers, the California Teachers Association and the Fremont Democratic Party.
Known for his wry humor and Socratic teaching style, he was a proud New Dealer and democratic socialist who believed in the power of government to improve lives. He organized efforts in the 1970s and 1980s to improve teacher pay, class sizes and benefits.
Irving was born May 9, 1928, in Chicago to Eddie and Sophie (Kaufman) Koppel. The family later returned to Milwaukee, where Irving graduated from Washington High School. He earned a history degree from the University of Wisconsin and a teaching credential from UC Berkeley. He taught in California from 1954 to 1988.
In 1968, he married Patricia Ann Taber. They raised three children in Fremont and later retired to Durham, North Carolina.
Irving enjoyed music, theater, reading, movies, stamps and water aerobics.
He is survived by his wife, Patricia; son David; daughter Danielle; son Elliott; grandchildren Owen and Joshua; and nieces Carol Hines and Kim Freeman.
Memorial donations may be made to CalRTA91 (P.O. Box 643, Fremont, CA 94537-0643) or the Student CTA.
Goldie Lerer
Goldie Lerer (née Schwartz) died May 12, 2025, at age 94.
Born June 19, 1930, in New York, she married Rabbi Isaac Lerer in 1952. Together, they built a life of love and devotion to family and community.
Survived by children Dr. Chavee (Vic Mellon), Michelle, Rabbi Gil-Ezer (Debbie) and Avi (Marsha z”l); her brother, Irving Schwartz; 13 grandchildren; and 8 great-grandchildren.
Goldie was active at Temple Menorah, where she also taught Hebrew school. Her love for education and Jewish life left a lasting impact.
Graveside service was held May 13 at Temple Menorah Ever-Rest Cemetery in Milwaukee. Rabbi Gil-Ezer Lerer officiated. Goodman-Bensman Whitefish Bay Funeral Home assisted. Memorial contributions to Temple Menorah are appreciated.
Carol Levin
Carol Levin (née Beckerman) died April 27, 2025, at age 93.
Beloved wife of the late Harold Levin. Loving mother of Susan Mayer, William (Wendy) Mayer, and Debra (Donald) May. Proud grandmother of Lilly (Anthony) Pell, Lana (David) Boswell, Katy Mayer and Emily Mayer. Great-grandmother of Remi May Pell, with a second great-grandchild expected soon. Dear sister of Sharon (the late Melvin) Bernstein. Further survived by other relatives and friends.
Graveside service was held April 30 at Second Home Cemetery in Milwaukee. Rabbi Jessica Barolsky and Cantor David Barash officiated. Memorial contributions to Congregation Emanu-El B’ne Jeshurun or the charity of your choice are appreciated.
Harry James “Jim” Plous Jr.
Harry James “Jim” Plous Jr. died March 26, 2025, of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. He was 87 and lived in Phoenix, Arizona.
Born in Kenosha and raised in Milwaukee, Jim joined the family dry cleaning business, Spic and Span, eventually becoming CEO and helping it become one of the top 10 drycleaners in the U.S.
He earned an MBA from the University of Chicago in 1975. He was divorced from Lois Michel and later partnered with Nancy Friebert until her death in 2024.
Jim chaired or served on many boards, including Sinai Samaritan Medical Center, Aurora Health Care, and the Milwaukee Jewish Community Center. He was known for helping others succeed—and for his sense of humor.
Survived by his sister Janet Chesne; children Scott Plous and Wendy Gursky; their spouses; grandchildren Noah Rees and Fijare Plous; and great-grandchild Leto Rees.
Donations in his memory may be made to Junior Achievement.
Boyd E. Perlson
Boyd E. Perlson died May 1, 2025, at age 87.
Beloved husband of Barbara Perlson (née Stern). Loving father of Scott (Nancy) Perlson, Debbie (Gary) Kohn, Kim (Mark) Tepper, David (Renata) Caine, Daniel (Cara) Caine, and Becca Zimmermann. Proud grandfather of Ben (Dana), Jake (Ethan), Jonah, Emily (Don), Charlie, Eddie, Ethan, Alana, Skylar, Hunter and Maggie. Dear brother of Lew (Bev) Perlson. Also survived by brothers-in-law Marc (Elli) Stern and Henry (Clare) Stern, and beloved dog, Bear.
Preceded in death by parents Edwarde and Ada (née Parelskin). Further survived by relatives and friends.
Funeral held May 4 at Goodman-Bensman Whitefish Bay Funeral Home. Rabbi Jessica Barolsky officiated. Burial at Anshai Lebowitz Cemetery, Milwaukee. Memorial contributions to the American Heart Association, National Kidney Foundation of Wisconsin or the charity of your choice appreciated.
Naomi Pikofsky
Naomi Pikofsky died in California on March 17, 2025, at age 51.
Beloved daughter of Suzanne (Suzie) and the late Seymour Pikofsky. Loving sister of Sara (Dan Eisen) and Rebecca (Todd Christiansen) Pikofsky. Dear aunt of Samuel, Rafael and Ezekiel Pikofsky-Christiansen. Further survived by relatives and friends.
Private burial at Spring Hill Cemetery. Rabbi Joel Alter officiated. Goodman-Bensman Whitefish Bay Funeral Home assisted the family. Memorial contributions to Stray Cat Alliance (P.O. Box 661277, Los Angeles, CA 90066) appreciated.
Dorothy Sapinsley
Dorothy Sapinsley (née Kaufman) of Milwaukee died May 3, 2025, at age 94.
Born in Cincinnati in 1930, she lived a life of love, curiosity and resilience. She trained as a secretary at Kishwaukee College and later worked as a home health aide.
Preceded in death by parents Jacob and Sarah Kaufman and son David Sapinsley. Survived by daughter Jessie Schiltz; grandchildren Annie and Matt Granitz, and Joe and Ashley Schiltz; and great-grandchildren Carter and Grady Schiltz, and James and Eleanor Granitz.
She loved cooking, especially healthy meals (and legendary cheesecake), knitting, art and psychology. She once said, “It’s hard to love, but it’s worth it.”
Dorothy lived in many places, including Colorado, New York and Kansas. She found beauty in life’s simple joys and advocated for justice and empathy. In her final days, she told family, “I have everything I ever wanted.”
A memorial service was held May 14 at Goodman-Bensman Whitefish Bay Funeral Home. Rabbi Steve Adams officiated. Memorial contributions to the American Cancer Society, Ovation Communities or a charity of your choice appreciated.
Frances “Faye” Siegel
Frances “Faye” Siegel (née Kesselman) died May 9, 2025, at age 97.
Born in Chicago, she moved to Milwaukee in 1959 with her husband, Cantor Norton H. Siegel, z’’l, and their four children, when he took a position at Beth El Ner Tamid. Together, they served the Jewish community for 36 years.
Preceded in death by her husband and son Martin. Survived by children Bruce Siegel, Sharon (Daniel) Langer, and Sandi (David Schiman) Siegel; and grandchildren Michelle Langer, Sarah Langer and Leah Gardenier.
Graveside service held May 12 at Mound Zion Cemetery in Brookfield. Rabbi Steve Adams officiated. Goodman-Bensman Whitefish Bay Funeral Home assisted. Donations to Ovation Jewish Home and Care Center or the Alzheimer’s Association appreciated.
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