All Obituaries

Lois Schmitz, 93, formerly of Forestville, passed away peacefully in the presence of family on Sept. 29, 2023.  She was born July 29, 1930, in Algoma to Lester and Isabelle (Fenske) Heidmann. Lois graduated from Algoma High School.  While in high school, she was a cheerleader, cheering on her high school sweetheart Bud Schmitz who played on the basketball team.  On Feb. 3, 1951, they married and enjoyed 64 years together, raising seven children.  In addition to being a...

Bjorn Wesley (BJ) Johansen, Sturgeon Bay, WI, a lifelong sailor and adventurer, crossed the bar peacefully in his sleep on Friday morning, September 22, 2023, at the Horton Center Skilled Nursing Facility at DCMC after a long and debilitating illness. Bjorn had lived a full and exciting 75 years, and survived another 10 years past that, leaving behind a wealth of friends, family, sea stories, tall tales and incredible memories. Bjorn was born on May 1, 1938, in Cape Town, South Africa to...

James Jerome Meyer Sr., 75, of Union, passed away at his home on September 21, 2023.  He was born on February 29, 1948, in Sturgeon Bay to Jerome and Mary Jane (Arndt) Meyer.  James married Suzanne Zahn on April 18, 1970, in Jacksonport, and had two wonderful sons.  On June 24, 2000, he married Sandra A. Mueller in Sturgeon Bay, she preceded him in death on February 25, 2019. Jim loved keeping his car clean and going to car shows.  He also enjoyed casinos, Elvis, going...

Thomas J. Smith, 83, of Rockford, Illinois, passed away peacefully, with his loving wife, Jill, by his side on August 27, 2023, after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease. The son of Roy C. Smith and Julia (Washichek), Tom was born January 9, 1940, in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. He spent his youth working in his parents’ businesses in Door County, which included a cherry orchard and beer distributorship. He was a graduate of Sturgeon Bay High School (1958), and on September 12,...

Kathryn “Kay” Heist of Sturgeon Bay, WI passed away quietly, surrounded by family, on September 10, 2023, of natural causes.  Kay was born in Cambria County, Pennsylvania on February 7, 1929, to Samuel and Verna (Golembeski) Holak.  She was a coal miner’s daughter, raised in Jerome, PA, and known to many as Kiki.  She graduated from Conemaugh Township High School in Davidsville, PA. Kay married Merwillis “Merf” Heist on April 30, 1949, in Jerome,...

Diane Dieman Paterson, Sturgeon Bay's first Girls' State Championship team coach died Saturday, September 2, 2023 at the Horton Skilled Nursing Center in Sturgeon Bay where she was lovingly cared for by staff, Unity Hospice and her devoted family and friends. She was born May 3, 1946 in Waukesha, WI, to Paul Kenneth and Violet Zephonia (Dieman) Dumbleton. July 14, 1973 she exchanged wedding vows with James S. Paterson in Waukesha. The couple recently was honored at a 50th Wedding...

It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we share the news with you that Phyllis (Phyl) Swagel passed away peacefully the morning of August 28th, 2023. She was surrounded by her 5 children and a daughter-in-law when she left her earthly home.  Phyl had just celebrated her 99th birthday on August 19th, surrounded by an abundance of family and friends. Phyl was born in Sturgeon Bay on August 21, 1924, to Walter and Marie (Peggy) Haertel. She had a younger sister named Janice...

Douglas Alan DePas, 62, of Niagara, WI, passed away on Thursday, September 7, 2023, at Maryhill Manor Nursing Center in Niagara, WI where he was lovingly cared for by staff. He was born on January 2, 1961, in Iron Mountain, Mich., to Louis and Arlene (Erickson) DePas.  Doug graduated from Niagara High School, Class of 1979.  Doug lived most of his life in the Niagara area, but loved to travel.  He worked as a postal worker for the U. S. Postal Service for over 23 years where...

Ruth Williams Bennett, age 97, passed away peacefully on Sept 7, 2023. Ruth was born March 28, 1926, in Glen Flora, WI., daughter of Ethel and Roy Biller. She had seven siblings with whom she remained extremely close throughout their lives: Ervin, Lyle, Raymond, Clayton, Vernon, Robert, and Joyce. Ruth studied nursing in Brownsville, Texas, but returned to northern Wisconsin to be close to her extended family and at the same time raise her own.  She worked as a registered hospital...

Jay R. Zahn of Sturgeon Bay, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Monday, August 28, 2023 at Bellin Hospital in Green Bay.  He was 66.   Jay was born in Sturgeon Bay on June 2, 1957, to Roger and Gail (Ostram) Zahn.  Jay is the oldest of the Zahn’s four children.  Growing up, Jay and his siblings picked strawberries and cherries from 6-9 am before taking them to the family business of Zahn’s Green Thumb.  Jay worked there from the age of 12 in...