The Memorial Wall

Barbara 'Babs' Wheelton

Barbara 'Babs' Wheelton

March 9, 1931 - August 18, 2024

Actress Barbara 'Babs' Wheelton has died aged 93 following a battle with Parkinson's disease. The beloved star, who was born in London in 1931 and later moved to Australia, appeared in a string of iconic TV shows in the 60s and 70s.

She was known for playing three different characters in Australian drama Prisoner, also known as Prisoner: Cell Block H, which broadcast from 1979 to 1986. She also starred in hits including The Sullivans, Cop Shop and Homicide. Her family confirmed her death in an obituary published in The Age. It read: "It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Barbara (Babs) Wheelton on Sunday 18th August 2024.

"Dearly loved by her family, their spouses, partners and all extended family and dear friends. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Fight Parkinson's Victoria."

Barbara is survived by children Simon, Stephanie and Paul, as well as many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her funeral was held on Monday, 26 August, in Melbourne, followed by a private cremation.

In a touching tribute, her niece Linda wrote: "In loving memory of my Auntie B and great Auntie to Christian and Ashton. We may have lived far apart but you were always close in my thoughts and heart.

"Our holidays to Melbourne won’t be the same without seeing you. We loved hearing your stories as much as you loved hearing ours. You will be dearly missed but we will hold on tight to the wonderful memories we have of you.

"Deepest Sympathy to Simon, Stephanie and Don, Paul and Angela and families. Until we meet again, Love Linda, Vaughn, Christian and Ashton Favazzo."

Fans also took to social media to pay tribute. One wrote: "She was a great actress in all the tv shows she was in over the years," while another said: "She played some great characters. Funny she got to play Judy’s neighbour in two separate roles. RIP."

Someone else commented: "Rest peacefully," and a fourth added: "I've recently seen her as Mrs. Burke. That's sad. RIP."

"Rip lovely lady," said another, while someone else commented: "God bless." Other comments read: "Such sad news another great gone. Rest in peace Babs," and: "Rest easy my love."

During her career, Barbara worked alongside Australian performers including Charles 'Bud' Tingwell, Michael Caton and Noni Hazlehurst. As well as acting, she also appeared in radio dramas and was a published short story writer.

Remembering Barbara 'Babs' Wheelton

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David Gillece

David Gillece

January 1, 1950 - August 17, 2024

David Gillece, 74, passed away peacefully on August 17, 2024, in Easton, Maryland. He is survived by his wife, Nancy Roberts, his daughter, Casey Gordon (Griffin) of Winnetka, IL, his son, Patrick Gillece (Jennifer) of Bethesda, MD, and five grandchildren.

Remembering David Gillece

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Frank Koshere

Frank Koshere

January 1, 1951 - August 15, 2024

Frank Koshere, 73, of Duluth, died August 15, 2024, after an illness with Parkinson’s-plus syndrome.

Born and raised in West Allis, Wis., Frank graduated from UW-Stevens Point and worked for 35 years as a water quality biologist with the Wisconsin DNR, a career he loved. 

Frank and Roseanne Koshere Olsen were married from 1973-1994 and had three children: Kathryn, Frankie, and Lauren.

From building his own cedar-strip kayak to nature photography, Frank taught himself many new skills in his life. He spent all seasons active outside - fishing, hunting, harvesting wild foods, kayaking, trapping, biking, camping, and cross-country skiing.

Frank enjoyed hunting and fishing with his brother and looked forward to annual road trips to Idaho for solo elk hunts with his primitive black powder muzzleloader.

He highly valued sharing his wild harvests. Family and friends enjoyed countless homemade fish fries and game meals with him.

Frank met Karen cross-country skiing. They married in 2011 and enjoyed many outdoor adventures, especially camping and fishing up the North Shore. During his final illness, he treasured Karen’s skillful, devoted caregiving in their home.

Frank is survived by his wife, Karen; daughters, Kathryn (Mike), Lauren, and Erica (Matthias); son, Frank; granddaughters, Andrea and Kadence; grandson, Ian; brother, Dennis (Sue); sisters, Jo-Anne and Jean (Scott); mother-in-law, Hazel; sister-in-law, Jana; and brother-in-law, Keith (Cindy).

He is preceded in death by his father, Frank, and his mother, Ruth.

Remembering Frank Koshere

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Roy Allen Hankis

Roy Allen Hankis

May 24, 1943 - August 15, 2024

Roy Allen Hankis, ASID, NCIDQ, professional interior designer, age 81, died quietly at his home within the American House, Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan, on Thursday, August 15, 2024. His death is attributed to a long illness with Parkinson's disease. He passed away peacefully, and comfortable in his well-appointed environment surrounded by the people and the things that he loved.

Roy was born on May 24, 1943 in Greenville, Michigan to the late John Leroy and Nila A. (Taylor) Hankis. He received his Diploma in Interior Design in 1964 from the Kendall College of Art and Design in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Encouraged by Kendall, Roy travelled on a Grand Tour of more than 88 countries. Post graduate studies were completed at the Cranbrook Academy of Art through 1971. Roy became a professional interior designer of merit and was one of the first within his field to qualify for, and pass the rigorous NCIDQ (National Council of Interior Design Qualification) exam in Michigan and subsequently became a Professional Member of the American Society of Interior Designers. He is listed as an American Interior Designer by Marquis Who's Who as noteworthy.

Roy was the Director of Design of several commercial design firms in Grand Rapids and Detroit, Michigan from 1964-1973. Roy was encouraged by his father, a builder and his mother, a bookkeeper, to open his own practice. Roy Allen Hankis Interiors, Inc. was established in 1974 and Roy served as CEO and principal designer throughout a long and successful career. He served as an adjunct Associate Professor of Design at Henry Ford Community College in Dearborn, Michigan for many years starting in 1981 and was a trustee of the JONIRO Investment Company, Southfield, Michigan. Roy was a set designer for the Lexington Village Players as well as a contributor to the Native American Casino Magazine. Further, he was selected to design spaces for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra/ American Society of Interior Designers Showhouses in the years 1985,1991,1993,1996 and 1999. He was voted 'Best of Show', at the Detroit 'Design Live' presented at the Michigan Design Center. Roy was invited to design a room in the 1995 Designer Showhouse named Health House which paid special attention to sustainable and environmentally-friendly materials. Additionally, he designed a space for the Birmingham Junior League at the Michigan Design Center Celebrity Room event with Michigan's then First Lady Paula Blanchard. Memberships included The Founders Society of the Detroit Institute of Arts, and the American Society of Interior Designers where he held the elected positions Director of the Michigan Chapter 1974, Treasurer 1992-1993, and Vice President 1997. Further memberships included the Christian Business Men's Committee, the Detroit Rotary and The Detroit Yacht Club. Roy's designs were published in many newspapers and magazines including, but not limited to, 14 Detroit Free Press-Cover Stories.

Roy spent decades building and maintaining his well-respected reputation at providing complete interior design services for his clients. His firm took great care in efficiently managing and installing impressive design statements for both residential and commercial properties throughout Michigan and the contiguous United States. Through his long career, his business became known as largely sustained from repeat customers. Roy Allen Hankis Interiors, Inc. specialized in the interior design of Funeral Homes, a niche market, where his design solutions were called upon, again and again. His creative talent combined with a keen business acumen served his clientele well.

Roy enjoyed his clientele, personally and professionally, while entertaining his clients, family and friends at his several beloved water-side homes. He especially enjoyed his corner 28th-floor penthouse suite in the iconic Detroit high-rise cooperative, 1300 East Lafayette designed by Gunnar Birkerts. He lived there for 40 plus years, enjoying his view of the Detroit River, Belle Isle and many passing freighters while always endeavoring to spend time at his weekend homes in Lexington and Grand Haven, Michigan alternating weekend visits between both homes.

Roy Hankis was a professional man possessing a quality of character, substance and fortitude that clients trusted and respected. He was fun-loving and a jokester, a very dear friend to many, a protecting 'older brother' figure to some, a good neighbor to all, a respected design colleague, and an interior designer of distinction to hundreds of clients. He was loved and admired, while his life of exemplary service touched nearly countless people in all walks of life.

Those who never knew Roy in his prime, or much about his long and impressive professional life and career, were fascinated and entertained to hear stories from and about him. To see his lovely downtown penthouse home, read articles about him, and to see his life in pictures and the little treasures he kept or collected. There was always a light in Roy that shined behind his twinkling eyes and mischievous grin. A fight in him that was a surprise to many as he struggled with the effects of his disease and its frustrations. Roy was loved. His last days were filled with dignity. His bespoke surroundings were polished and well-cared for. The attentive care that a good man deserved was bestowed upon him in a joyous and loving manner.

Roy is survived by, and will be missed by, many dear friends, family, neighbors, colleagues and clients. 

Remembering Roy Allen Hankis

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Duane Lyders

Duane Lyders

January 1, 1931 - August 13, 2024

Duane Lyders died peacefully of Parkinson’s disease at the age of 93 in Carmel, CA on August 13 with family by his side. He will be remembered as a man of many talents with a keen intellect, a dry sense of humor, and a deep respect for logic.

Born in 1931 in Minot, North Dakota, Duane moved with his first wife Janet to Ventura in 1962 to work as a prosecuting attorney for Ventura County. He retired in 1986 after serving many years as the city attorney of Oxnard. The first member of his family to attend college, he graduated from the University of Southern California and went on to earn a JD from UC Berkeley School of Law in 1959 after serving in the US Navy.

Duane was a talented musician with perfect pitch who came from a musical family. He majored in music at USC and played trumpet in the marching band. He was an accomplished pianist, sang Handel’s Messiah during the holidays, and enjoyed playing the recorder, especially while camping. He taught folk dancing on the Ventura Promenade and at the Unitarian Church. He was a gourmet cook, known for his homemade sourdough bread and traditional Norwegian fare such as lefse and stike.

Duane loved traveling and the outdoors. Sailing solo from Hawaii to Oxnard, he was stranded in the doldrums for several weeks, reporting afterwards that he had ample time to reflect on the meaning of life during his solitude.

In his later years Duane and his second wife Karin took up ballroom dancing, and they custom designed their home in Santa Paula to include a dance floor. He stayed active most of his life, playing tennis well into his 80s. Duane worked hard and thought for himself. He read widely yet was usually a man of few words.

Duane was predeceased by parents Kenneth and Mabel, younger brother Ronald and younger sister Marilyn Elizabeth. He is survived by his wife Karin, his brother Richard, his sister Joanna, his daughters Karen, Greta and Kirsten, his stepson Rob, and his grandchildren Taylor, Quinten, Milo, Sasha, Gillian, Sonia, Rhianna and Matthew.

Remembering Duane Lyders

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Arthur "Wayne" Breeland

Arthur "Wayne" Breeland

September 9, 1930 - August 9, 2024

(Arthur) Wayne Breeland, devoted husband, loving father, brilliant attorney, and Parkinson's warrior, passed away on August 9, 2024. Wayne's life was marked by his Christian faith, intelligence, and leadership skills. He served in the US Army JAG Corps and retired as a Colonel from the Army Reserve.

A graduate of the University of Tulsa and the University of Oklahoma School of Law, Wayne had a distinguished career as an oil & gas attorney, was admitted to the Bar of the US Supreme Court, and celebrated his 70th anniversary with the Oklahoma Bar Association this year.

Wayne married Irmgard in 1957, building a close-knit family in Tulsa. They later moved to Dallas, TX, where he worked with Hrubetz Oil Co., and later, Hunt Oil Co. Irmgard passed away in 1998 after 41 years of loving and supportive marriage.

In 2017, Wayne moved to a Dallas senior community to embrace a new phase of life. He loved being a part of Rock Steady Boxing, The Oklahoma Club, and Parkinsonian's, a group of people who face up to Parkinson's through exercise. He enjoyed his daily devotional, history books, dinner with friends, and his favorite football teams, U of Tulsa, OU and Dallas Cowboys.

Wayne's faith guided him through life's challenges, including his battle with Parkinson's, inspiring others with his determination, grace and wry humor. He is also predeceased by his mother, twin brother Wayman, brother-in-law and sister-in law. Surviving him are his daughter Ruth Ann Becker, niece and nephew-in-law Susan and Phil McCoy, grand-nephews Chase and William McCoy, their wives and their seven grandchildren.

Remembering Arthur "Wayne" Breeland

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Richard A. Rettig

Richard A. Rettig

September 14, 1936 - August 7, 2024

Dr. Richard A. Rettig passed into eternal life on Wednesday, August 7, 2024. He was 87. Born and raised in Seattle, Washington, Rettig graduated from the University of Washington and came east to pursue professional opportunities. He became a tireless researcher and author on medical technology and government healthcare, specifically cancer and kidney failure. His focus was on how these forces could be harnessed to improve peoples’ lives. He testified before Congress and wrote two books on these topics and in 1993, was elected to the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Rettig held a PhD in Political Science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and held faculty appointments at three universities. His longest tenure was as a Senior Social Scientist at the RAND Corporation.

In 2001, he retired to St. Augustine and became involved in both church and larger community. At Memorial Presbyterian Church he was strengthened by his faith. He was compassionate and generous, a family man and true scholar. He is survived by his wife of 23 years, Marisella Veiga, his daughter Kirsten, his son Mark, and two grandchildren.

Remembering Richard A. Rettig

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Steve Kragthorpe

Steve Kragthorpe

April 28, 1965 - August 4, 2024

Former Louisville and Tulsa coach Steve Kragthorpe has died at age 59 following a years-long battle with Parkinson's disease, Louisville and LSU officials confirmed to the Louisville Courier-Journal.

Kragthorpe's lengthy coaching career began at Northern Arizona in 1990 and spanned more than 20 years with stops as an assistant at North Texas, Boston College, Texas A&M and with the NFL's Buffalo Bills. He landed his first coaching job with Tulsa in 2003 and took a downtrodden Golden Hurricane program that hadn't posted a winning season since 1991 to three bowl games in four years. He was inducted into the Tulsa Hall of Fame earlier this year.

Following his stint with Tulsa, Kragthrope spent three seasons as the coach Louisville from 2007-09, finishing his coaching career with a 44-43 record. After a year away from football in 2010, Kragthorpe was hired as LSU's offensive coordinator in 2011 but ultimately stepped down from his post following his Parkinson's diagnosis; however, he remained with the Tigers for multiple years in an off-field capacity. 

Remembering Steve Kragthorpe

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Scott Bruce Meyer

Scott Bruce Meyer

March 6, 1951 - August 4, 2024

Scott Bruce Meyer, age 73, husband, father, grandfather, entrepreneur, all round funny guy passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on August 4, 2024, from Lewy Body/Parkinsons, which he suffered with for nearly 12 years.

Scott was born on Mar 6, 1951, to parents Seymore and Doris Meyer in Brooklyn, N.Y. His family moved to Jericho, Long Island, where he grew up and attended Jericho High School. He went on to attend SUNY Albany and remained in the Capital District.

Scott is survived by his wife, Annette Nanes; daughters, Orah LeHockey (Tim) and Lily Meyer; his grandchildren, Naomi and Dylan LeHockey; his brother, Mitchell Meyer (Susana); sister-in-law, Carol Oren; brother-in-law, Bob Nanes (Jaew); and several nieces and nephews and cousins.

Scott with his wife, Annette, and partners opened the 3rd Street Theatre in 1980 and then the Spectrum Theatres in 1983. In 2009, he and Annette opened the New World Bistro Bar and later The Kitchen Table restaurant. These prominent Albany businesses were beloved by the Capital District Community and are an important part of his legacy.

Scott will always be remembered by all for his sharp wit, always coming up with the zingers that kept everyone around him laughing. He enjoyed the outdoors, hiking and biking and a love of fine cuisine. He was an accomplished keyboard player and enjoyed playing piano and his Hammond B-3 organ. He loved to travel, especially to Mexico, where he had many adventures with his wife Annette and later his family. He had a beautiful life, and he will be sorely missed by his family and many friends.

Remembering Scott Bruce Meyer

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Bob Monken

Bob Monken

January 1, 1938 - August 4, 2024

A man’s man and a coach’s coach.

That was Bob Monken, in the words of one of his peers.

The hall of fame Lake Park High School football coach and 57-year Wheaton resident died Sunday at 86 from Parkinson’s disease, a little over a year after his wife of 61 years, Jo Ellen, died in May 2023.

“I feel like I am incredibly lucky to have him as my father. He was a great example of how to be a husband, father, and a man,” said Ted Monken, one of their three sons, all football coaches.

Bob Monken, 86, and his brothers Glenn, Mike, Bill and Jim all are in the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

Twelve Monkens have coached high school, college or professional football, including Bob’s son, Todd, offensive coordinator of the Baltimore Ravens, and nephew, Jeff, Army’s head coach.

Ted Monken said his father taught the same lessons at home as he did on the football field.

“He was the same person for all his players as he was to his sons,” said Ted Monken, Glenbard South’s defensive coordinator. “Tough but fair. He prepared all his ‘sons’ to be successful in life. Not at that particular moment, but for the rest of our lives.

“The number of messages I have received the past few days from former players, coaches, and friends has been humbling,” he said.

Lake Park's career football victories leader, Bob Monken went 151-112 with the Lancers from 1964-93, winning conference championships in three decades.

He also was Lake Park's first department chair of physical education and briefly served as athletic director.

“I love the guy, and he’ll be missed tremendously. He had a lot of impact on my life, and I know he did on a lot of others,” said former Lake Park Principal Marty Quinn, who successfully pushed for Lake Park’s West Campus football stadium to be dedicated as Bob Monken Field. That happened last October.

When Quinn informed Bob Monken’s former players of his death, they were “devastated,” Quinn said.

“Education and academics came first to Bob regardless of the 32 years (two as assistant at Lake Park) he was as a coach. He got that in the minds of his players, that the academics come first,” Quinn said.

“I think that was something all of us appreciated about Bob. It wasn’t just about football, it was about developing the character of your players. There’s life after football.”

Yes, there is. For Monken there was also grandchildren, travel and golf. He was part of a group of retired football coaches, dubbed the Coach’s Tour, who continue to play on Thursday mornings.

Retired Oak Park-River Forest head coach and Downers Grove South assistant Jack McInerney has led the Coach’s Tour for two decades, enlisting coaches such as Joe Petricca, Paul Murphy, Jim Covert, Larry McKeown, Joe Bunge, Ken Schreiner, the late Bob MacDougall and others.

Even with Parkinson’s, Monken came to the course until about a year ago, McInerney said. In his heyday he was among the group’s top players.

“He was a man’s man and a coach’s coach. He always had great stories, a terrific personality. He was just a lot of fun to be around,” McInerney said.

“It’s a big loss for all of us because he was in our group initially and everybody liked him, everybody knew him. Guys like that don’t come around that often,” he said.

“When it is my time,” Ted Monken said, “if a fraction of people remember me the way so many remember Dad, I will have a life well-served.”

Remembering Bob Monken

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Contact Us

Address
Parkinson's Resource Organization
74785 Highway 111
Suite 208
Indian Wells, CA 92210

Local Phone
(760) 773-5628

Toll-Free Phone
(877) 775-4111

General Information
info@parkinsonsresource.org

 

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Updated: August 16, 2017