Donald H. Root, age 89, a long time Monticello resident, died following a lengthy illness on Monday, March 1, 2010 at the Monroe Clinic Hospital with his family by his side.
Don was born October 7, 1920 in Brooklyn, WI, the son of Raymond R. and Byrd H. (Lewis) Root. He graduated from Albany High School in 1939 and attended the Univ. of Texas at Houston. He entered the U.S. Navy on Sept. 11, 1942 and was honorably discharged on Jan. 24, 1946. He married Elmira "Ellie" Grossenbacher on Dec. 27, 1952 in New Glarus. The couple made their home in Monticello where Don worked as a carpenter for many years until retirement. He left his mark on the Monticello community with his expert craftsmanship.
Don was a member of the Zwingli United Church of Christ where he served on the church council, a 51 year member of the Monticello American Legion Amstutz-Marty Post #256, and a two term Past President of the Monticello Lions Club receiving the Melvin Jones Lions Award in 2002 for his service to the community. Don also served on the Monticello School Board, the Monticello Foundation Board, was a Village Trustee, was voted Grand Marshall of the Monticello Homecoming Parade in 2008, and was a member of the Monticello Business Association for which he was roasted in 1996. He was also an avid bowler and loved to golf at the Edelweiss Country Club where he was a charter member.
He is survived by his two children, Connie (Dr. Mark) Hornbach of Rockford, IL, and James (Janet) Root of Monroe; five grandchildren, Carson Root, Rachel Root, Ellie Hornbach, Charles Hornbach, and Leigh Ann (Ricky) Walls. Don enjoyed playing cards, laughing and telling stories with his four sisters, Alice Krueger, Joanne Hubacher, Shirley Conrad, all of Evansville; and Nancy Coffey of Praire du Sac, WI.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and his wife, Ellie on Nov. 14, 1996.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, March 8, 2010, at the Zwingli United Church of Christ, Monticello, with Rev. Lawrence Balleine officiating. Interment will be in Highland Cemetery, Monticello. Visitation will be at the Voegeli-Newcomer Funeral Home, 360 S. Garfield Ave., on Sunday from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m. and at the church on Monday from 10 a.m. until the time of service. A memorial fund will be established in Don's name for the Monticello Foundation. To send a condolence to the family go to www.newcomerfuneralhome.net.
Don was born October 7, 1920 in Brooklyn, WI, the son of Raymond R. and Byrd H. (Lewis) Root. He graduated from Albany High School in 1939 and attended the Univ. of Texas at Houston. He entered the U.S. Navy on Sept. 11, 1942 and was honorably discharged on Jan. 24, 1946. He married Elmira "Ellie" Grossenbacher on Dec. 27, 1952 in New Glarus. The couple made their home in Monticello where Don worked as a carpenter for many years until retirement. He left his mark on the Monticello community with his expert craftsmanship.
Don was a member of the Zwingli United Church of Christ where he served on the church council, a 51 year member of the Monticello American Legion Amstutz-Marty Post #256, and a two term Past President of the Monticello Lions Club receiving the Melvin Jones Lions Award in 2002 for his service to the community. Don also served on the Monticello School Board, the Monticello Foundation Board, was a Village Trustee, was voted Grand Marshall of the Monticello Homecoming Parade in 2008, and was a member of the Monticello Business Association for which he was roasted in 1996. He was also an avid bowler and loved to golf at the Edelweiss Country Club where he was a charter member.
He is survived by his two children, Connie (Dr. Mark) Hornbach of Rockford, IL, and James (Janet) Root of Monroe; five grandchildren, Carson Root, Rachel Root, Ellie Hornbach, Charles Hornbach, and Leigh Ann (Ricky) Walls. Don enjoyed playing cards, laughing and telling stories with his four sisters, Alice Krueger, Joanne Hubacher, Shirley Conrad, all of Evansville; and Nancy Coffey of Praire du Sac, WI.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and his wife, Ellie on Nov. 14, 1996.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, March 8, 2010, at the Zwingli United Church of Christ, Monticello, with Rev. Lawrence Balleine officiating. Interment will be in Highland Cemetery, Monticello. Visitation will be at the Voegeli-Newcomer Funeral Home, 360 S. Garfield Ave., on Sunday from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m. and at the church on Monday from 10 a.m. until the time of service. A memorial fund will be established in Don's name for the Monticello Foundation. To send a condolence to the family go to www.newcomerfuneralhome.net.