Obituary: Lillie Moesner - Class of 1894

Memorial services for Miss Lillie E. Moessner, Little Rock, Ark., a former Madison resident who died Jan. 31 in Little Rock, will be held Thursday at 11 a.m. in the Frautschi funeral home, 120 E. Wilson st., here. Burial will be in Forest Hill cemetery.

Born in Madison, Miss Moessner was a graduate of the University of Wisconsin, and was a member of the Half-Century Club of the Wisconsin Alumni Association. She formerly taught at various Wisconsin and Chicago high schools.

Originally published as a news story in the Wisconsin State Journal on May 4, 1960. At this time, obituaries were written by newspaper staffers, not families.

Note: Lillie E. Moessner's class year is based on information in the Madison Public Schools Annual Report (1901-1902), where she is listed as Lillie Moesner [sic] a Class of 1894 graduate.According to Forest Hill Cemetery records, she was 84 when she died.

Obituary: John C. Corscot - Class of 1900

Corscot Services Set for Saturday

Funeral services for John C. Corscot, 69, of 1144 E. Johnson st., a retired purchasing agent who died Wednesday in a Madison hospital after a long illness, will be held in the Masonic temple at 1:30 p.m. Saturday.

Episcopal services will be conducted by the Rev. John H. Keene, rector of Grace Episcopal church, and the Masonic rites will be conducted by C.B. Lester of Madison lodge No. 5.

A Knights Templar escort will be present at the services. Burial will be in Forest Hill cemetery.

Mr. Corscott had been an active Madison Mason for 48 years. In addition to being a member of lodge No. 5, he was the oldest past presiding officerin Madison Chapter No. 4, the Madison Council No. 3, and the Robert Macoy Commandry No. 3.

He also belonged to the Zor Shrine temple and the Madison consistory. He was a lifelong member of grace Episcopal church.

Four years ago Mr. Corscot retired as purchasing agent of the Madison Gas and Electric Co., and organization he was connected with for 47 years.

He was also assistant secretary-treasurer of the Provident Loan and Building assn.

Mr. Corscot was a lifelong Madison resident. His father, the late John H. Corscot, at one time served as mayor of Madison and was city clerk for 20 years.

On May 9, 1906, he married Ruby Peck of Madison. Mrs. Corscot survives with his sister, Catherine M. Corscot, Madison.

The body was taken to the Fitch-Lawrence Funeral Home. The family has requested that flowers be omitted.

Originally published as a news story in the Wisconsin State Journal on April 19, 1951. At this time, obituaries were written by newspaper staff members, not family.

Note: John C. Corscot's class year is based on information in the 1900 Tychoberahn, where he is listed among the graduating seniors. There were no senior photos in this first yearbook: The only photograph is one of the old Madison High School building, taken by John Corscot (see scanned image below).

Obituary: Joseph Lynn Klassy - Class of 1967

Crash Splits Car;
2 Men Are Killed

The traffic deaths of two young Madison men, killed about 4 a.m. Wednesday when their Corvair split in half crashing at the South Beltline-Park St. interchange, were rules "accidental" by Coroner Clyde Chamberlain Jr.

Killed were: Danny John Waller, 18, the driver, son of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Waller, 124 N. Hancock St. Joseph Lynn Klassy, 19, the passenger who was married and had an infant son, and lived with his widowed mother, Mrs. Donald (Inez) Klassy, 717 Mayfair Ave.

COUNTY POLICE said the Corvair, apparently traveling at high speed, struck a solid metal guardrail at the westbound exit from the Beltline to S. Park St. and careened topside into a cement-embedded metal pole holding the big, green highway-route sign.

The pole split the car, with the two sections landing about 52 feet apart, Policeman John Detra reported.

Both yong men, who were not wearing seat belts, were thrown from the car. They were pronounced dead upon arrival at a Madison hospital from severe head and neck injuries.

Chamberlain sid it was not known where or to where the young men were travelling.

Their deaths raised the Madison and Dane County traffic toll this year to 34.

Both Waller and Lkassy had been students at Central-University High School.

FUNERAL SERVICES for both young men are pending at the Schroeder Funeral home, 3325 E. Washington Ave.

Waller's survivors, besides his parents, include three brothers and a sister at home, Richard, Terry, Michael, and Janet, and two other sisters, Mrs. Kenneth Russell, 1418 Loftsgordon Ave., and Mrs. Richard Edmark, Racine.

Klassy is survived by his wife, Lila, and a son, Jospeh, who lives in Madison; his mother; two brothers, Romaine, 5402 Temple Ct., and Stephen, with the navy submarine service; a sister, Mrs. Mark Moffat, Battle Creek, Mich., and his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Jones, Stoughton, and Henry Klassy, New Glarus.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on August 31, 1967. At this time, obituaries were news stories written by newspaper staff, not family. Submitted by Sidney Iwanter (Class of 1967).

Obituary: Anton J. "Tony" Motisi - Class of 1951

Anton J. "Tony" Motisi, 26, a former Central High School and Whitewater State College athlete was found dead of hanging in his South Milwaukee residence Sunday.

He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Motisi, 1414 Whenona dr.

The Milwaukee County medical examiner's office said that Motisi was dead when found by South Milwaukee Police Sunday afternoon.

Motisi was a teacher at South Milwaukee High School, and assistant coach of football, basketball, and track there.

He was married to the former Mary Leone Fessenden of Janesville. They lived with their two children at 622 Milwaukee ave., South Milwaukee.

Originally published as a news story in the Wisconsin State Journal on April 4, 1960. At this time, obituaries were written by newspaper staffers, not families.

Note: Tony Motisi's class year is based on information in the 1951 Tychoberahn, where he is pictured among the graduating seniors.

Obituary: Elizabeth Armstrong - Class of 1890

Funeral services for Elizabeth Armstrong, 82, of 1224 W. Dayton st., who died at a Madison hospital Saturday, will be held Monday at 11 a.m. at Grace Episcopal church.

The Rev. Nicholas Couletsis, associate rector, will officiate, and the burial will be in Forest Hill cemetery.

A lifelong resident of the city, Miss Armstrong is a member of a pioneer Madison family. She has lived her whole life at the Dayton st. address.

Miss Armstrong's father, John, came to Madison from Belfast, Ireland.

She was a graduate of the old Draper school and of Madison high school, now Central High school.

Miss Armstrong was an active member of Grace Episcopal church for many years.

Her survivors include a sister, Mrs. A.W. Shumway, Edgerton, and several nieces and nephews in the Madison area.

The body is at the Fitch-Lawrence funeral home.

Originally published as a news story in the Wisconsin State Journal on September 28, 1952. At this time, obituaries were written by newspaper staffers, not families.

Note: Elizabeth Armstrong's class year is based on information in the Madison Public Schools Annual Report (1901-1902), where she is listed as "Lizzie" Armstrong, an 1890 graduate.

Obituary: Frances M. Abaly - Class of 1901

Miss Abaly Rites

Funeral services for Frances M. Abaly, of 202 W. Gorham st., daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Abaly, pioneer Madison residents, who died Friday in a Madison hospital after a long illness, will be held Monday at 9 a.m. at the Fitch-Lawrence Funeral Home and at 9:30 a.m. in St. Raphael's Cathedral.

The Rt. Rev. Msgr. Edward M. Kinney will officiate. The rosary will be recited at 8 Sunday night. Burial will be in Resurrection cemetery.

The family has requested that flowers be omitted.

Miss Abaly was a nurse and secretary for many years for Dr. W.C. Abaly, her uncle, a former Madison physician.

Miss Abaly was a graduate of the University of Wisconsin and the former Madison Central High school. She also attended the former St. Regina academy and St. Raphael's grade school.

She is survived by four sisters, Mrs. W.J. Hobbins and Ollie Abaly, both of Madison, and Mrs. Elizabeth Mayer and and Winifred Abaly, both of Milwaukee, and a brother, Donald, Milwaukee.

The above was originally published in the Obituaries section of the Wisconsin State Journal on May 2, 1953. At this time, obituaries were still "news stories," written by newspaper staff, not families.

Note: Frances Abaly's class year is based on information in the Madison Public Schools Annual Report (1901-1902), where she is listed among the graduating seniors in the Class of 1901.

Obituary: William Penn Lyon, Jr. - Class of 1877

SKETCH OF WILLIAM PENN LYON
From the San Jose Mercury Herald of November 14, 1931

William Penn Lyon, business manager of the Mercury Herald (San Jose, California) for more than a quarter century and one of the best known newspaper executives on the coast, died suddenly at O'Connor sanitarium yesterday of a heart attack.

Mr. Lyon had been in ill health for the past two years. Three weeks ago he was removed to the O'Connor sanitarium for a complete rest, and appeared to be recovering his strength.

Born in Racine, Wisconsin August 23, 1861, the son of Chief Justice and Mrs. William Penn Lyon, as a lad he went with his family to Madison, Wisconsin, when his father was elevated to the supreme bench. He received his primary education in Madison schools and then entered the University of Wisconsin, from he he graduated with the class of 1881. Later, he graduated from the law school also.

Following his graduation he was employed by the Chicago Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad at their head offices at Milwaukee. Later he became associated with E.A. and J.O. Hayes, publishers of the Mercury Herald, then young attorneys in their law business in Ashland, Wisconsin.

Possessing unusual ability in financial matters, Mr. Lyon next joined with the Hayes brothers in their mining operations in Northern Michigan and Wisconsin, and for several years had charge of the office and financial work of the firm.

Shortly before the turn of the century he came to California and later married Miss Ellen Chynoweth. Later the couple returned to the mines for a short time, returning again to California to make their permanent home. He acquired the fruit ranch on Monteroy road jsut south of Eden Vale, where he made his home, and where he has resided since.

Mr. Lyon helped to organize, and was for some years was manager of the Eden Vale Fruit company, which was later sold to the Sanitary Fruit company; the latter firm discontinued operations after running for a short time.

More than a quarter century ago Mr. Lyons became business manager of the Mercury Herald, a position he held up to his death. His wife died in February 1928.

Mr. Lyon is survived by his son, William Penn Lyon III; his sister Mrs. J.O. Hayes; and two grandchildren -- Patricia and William Penn Lyon IV.

He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, of Scottish Rite, Knights Templar, Rotary, San Jose Country and Commercial clubs, and of the True Life Church.

A keen business executive, and deeply interested in the newspaper business, he enjoyed an extensive friendship among the largest advertisers of the country. In pursuit of his duties he made annual trips to the eastern business centers, making contact with scores of prominent business men.

In June of this year (1931) Mr. Lyon enjoyed a visit to Madison, where he attended the fiftieth anniversary of his graduating class. He often spoke of the experience with enjoyment.

An enthusiastic golfer, and characterized by a gift for friendship, he had a wide circle of friends who thought of him with affection and esteem. His loss will be a great one.

Submitted by MRS. CLARA LYON HAYES and published in The Wisconsin Alumni Magazine (June 1932)

Note: William Penn Lyon Jr. is listed in the Madison Public Schools Annual Report (1901-1902) as a member of the Class of 1877.

Obituary: Danny John Waller - Class of 1966

Crash Splits Car;
2 Men Are Killed

The traffic deaths of two young Madison men, killed about 4 a.m. Wednesday when their Corvair split in half crashing at the South Beltline-Park St. interchange, were rules "accidental" by Coroner Clyde Chamberlain Jr.

Killed were: Danny John Waller, 18, the driver, son of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Waller, 124 N. Hancock St. Joseph Lynn Klassy, 19, the passenger who was married and had an infant son, and lived with his widowed mother, Mrs. Donald (Inez) Klassy, 717 Mayfair Ave.

COUNTY POLICE said the Corvair, apparently traveling at high speed, struck a solid metal guardrail at the westbound exit from the Beltline to S. Park St. and careened topside into a cement-embedded metal pole holding the big, green highway-route sign.

The pole split the car, with the two sections landing about 52 feet apart, Policeman John Detra reported.

Both yong men, who were not wearing seat belts, were thrown from the car. They were pronounced dead upon arrival at a Madison hospital from severe head and neck injuries.

Chamberlain sid it was not known where or to where the young men were travelling.

Their deaths raised the Madison and Dane County traffic toll this year to 34.

Both Waller and Lkassy had been students at Central-University High School.

FUNERAL SERVICES for both young men are pending at the Schroeder Funeral home, 3325 E. Washington Ave.

Waller's survivors, besides his parents, include three brothers and a sister at home, Richard, Terry, Michael, and Janet, and two other sisters, Mrs. Kenneth Russell, 1418 Loftsgordon Ave., and Mrs. Richard Edmark, Racine.

Klassy is survived by his wife, Lila, and a son, Jospeh, who lives in Madison; his mother; two brothers, Romaine, 5402 Temple Ct., and Stephen, with the navy submarine service; a sister, Mrs. Mark Moffat, Battle Creek, Mich., and his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Jones, Stoughton, and Henry Klassy, New Glarus.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on August 31, 1967. At this time, obituaries were news stories written by newspaper staff, not family. Submitted by Gerhard Ellerkamp (Class of 1966).