Wisconsin State Journal from Madison, Wisconsin • 10

Obituary information: Marci Larson, (608) 252-6320 4B Wisconsin State Journal, Monday, October 2, 1995" Never step back to view your work; in this profession Tower man climbs high for challenge' I Albers, Hazel 89 Leland-Sauk City Anderson, Paul 85 Lake Delton Bliese, Connie 47 Wyocena-DeForest Dalley, Arvilla May, 63... Madison Droullard, Jesse 41 Madison-Lancaster Gulllckson, Mollie 101 Cottage Grove Hahn, Herbert 85 Reedsburg 1 Hodgklns, Janet, 45... River fc Hubred, Esther E. (Ramsfield), 72 Deerfield-Madison Johnson, Edward 77 Richland Center ,5 Laufenberg, Barbara 97 Madison Mankowskl, M. Clarice, 68 Cambridge Norsllen, Thelma, 80 Mount Horeb Radtke, Eugene 67 Watertown Wilcox, Warren 82 Wyocena Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery, Briggsville, Wisconsin.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family. Norslien, Thelma MOUNT HOREB Thelma Norslien, age 80, died at the Ingleside Nursing Home in Mt. Horeb on Sunday, October 1, 1995. The former Thelma Larson was born September 7, 1915, at Boscobel, Wisconsin. Her parents were Magnus and Bertha Larson.

She was married to Clifford Norslien on August 22, 1942, and they farmed in the Black Earth area for many years. Thelma enjoyed her church and working at the Lutefisk dinner. She also enjoyed her cats that lived on the farm. She was a member of the Vermont Lutheran Church and its E.L.C.W. She was survived by a son, Myron (Ronda) of Rural Black Earth; two daughters, Pauline (Gordon) Dimpfl of Barneveld and Ruth (James) Huseth of Mt.

Horeb; nine grandchildren; a sister, Myrtle Studnicka; a brother, Marvel Larson, both of Boscobel; and a brother-in-law, Arnold (Laura) Norslien of Mt. Horeb. She was preceded in death by her husband, Clifford on May 9, 1983; and a brother, Kenneth. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, October 3, 1995, from the VERMONT LUTHERAN CHURCH at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be in the Church Cemetery.

Friends may call from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Monday, October 2, 1995, at the ELLESTAD FUNERAL HOME in Black Earth. Thank You to the Ingleside Nursing Home Staff for their wonderful care and to Dr. Calvin Bruce and Dr.

Kenneth Israel for their kindness and concern for our Mother. Droullard, Jesse J. MADISONLANCASTER Jesse J. Droullard, age 41, of Madison, formerly of Lancaster, died Saturday morning, September 30, 1995, in McFar-land. He was born on September 25, 1954, at Lancaster, the son of Jesse and Margaret (Hornbeck) Droullarcf.

He was preceded in death by his father in 1966. He is survived by his mother, Margaret Droullard of Fennimore; a sister, June (Philip) Bailie of Benton, Illinois; two brothers, Richard Gabel of Lancaster and Leroy Gabel of Fennimore; and a very special friend, Mary of McFarland. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 3, 1995, at the METCALFE-KUENSTER-PAGE FUNERAL HOME in Lancaster with Pastor Glenn Kohlhepp officiating. Burial will be in Hillside Cemetery, Lancaster.

Friends may call from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Monday, October 2, 1995, and on Tuesday morning prior to the service at the METCALFE-KUENSTER-PAGE FUNERAL HOME, Lancaster. children, Myra, Jessica, Sam, Joseph, Megan and Bryan; her brother, Phillip Anderson of Des Moines, Iowa; four sisters, Irene (Martin) Dauck of Black Earth, Dorothy Stienke of Deerfield, Shirley (William) Jensen of Madison, Phylis Normington of Indiana; and many other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; six brothers, Robert, Lester, Howard, Harry, Russell, and Harvey; two sisters, Ruby Carlson and Betty Borgrud; and her grandson, Adam.

Funeral services will be held at the GUNDERSON FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, October 3, 1995, with Reverend Douglas Haynes officiating. Burial will follow in Highland Memory Gardens. Friends may call from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services on Tuesday at the funeral home.

May God bless and watch over our mother and grandmother. She is reunited with God and loved ones now and has eternal peace and happiness. We love you very much, and your memory will always live in our hearts. Johnson, Edward Sr. RICHLAND CENTER Edward Johnson, age 77, of Richland Center, Wisconsin, died on Sunday, October 1, 1995, at Lutheran Hospital LaCrosse, in LaCrosse.

He was born on March 23, 1918, in Richland County, Wisconsin, the son of Earl B. and Willa (Essex) Johnson. He was married on June 3, 1938, in Marshall Township, Richland County to June Reid. Edward farmed until 1946, where he then was a self employed truck driver hauling milk until 1972. Later he hauled milk for the Wisconsin Dairies before retiring.

Survivors include his wife, June Johnson of Richland Center; three sons, Ed "Sonny" (Betty) Johnson of Richland Center, Monty (Jenny) Johnson of Waukesha, and Kim (Karl a) Johnson of Richland Center; eight grandchildren; a brother, Maynard (Dorothy) Johnson of Richland Center; and three sisters, Mary (Ray) Babcock of Elkhorn, Berniece Severeine of Rockford, Illinois, and Isolene (Frank) Martarona of Rockford, Illinois. She was preceded in death by a sister, Vir- Funeral services will be held on uesday, October 3, 1995, at 1:30 p.m., at the PRATT MEMORIAL CHAPEL in Richland Center, Rev. Kenneth Brice will officiate. Burial will be at the Richland Center Cemetery in Richland Center. Friends may call at the PRATT MEMORIAL CHAPEL, on Monday, October 2, 1995, from 5:30 p.m.

until 8:30 p.m., and on Tuesday, from 8:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Memorials may be made for the Gideon Bibles. Laufenberg, Barbara S. MADISON Barbara S.

Laufenberg, age 97, died on Saturday, September 30, 1995, at a local nursing home. She was born on August 21, 1898. Survivors include a daughter, Henrietta (George) Edgerton of Monona; her grandchildren, Ronald (Carol) Boettcher of Deerfield, Patricia (foe) Gerardo of Orange, California, Deoorah (Richard) Hartman of Brooklyn, Robert Boettcher of Oregon, Timothy (Shannon) Boettcher of Madison, Dennis (Collene) Boettcher of Madison, Mary Dugan of Brigsville, and David Dugan of Madison; and many great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two daughters, Margaret Laufenberg, and Cecilia Boettcher; a brother, Henry Es-ser; and a grandson, William A. Boettcher.

Private family services will be held at the GUNDERSON FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive. Albers, Hazel LELANDSAUK CITY Hazel J. Albers, age 89, died on Sunday, October 1, 1995, at Maplewood Nursing was born in North Freedom on July 26, 1906, the daughter of the late Lewis and Clara (Graf) Lange. She a graduate of North Freedom High School and Sauk County Normal School. She taught school at Little Prairie, Honey Creek Ridge and Rock Elm Schools for six years.

She was united in marriage to Clarence Albers on June 15, 1929. She and her husband farmed in Honey Creek for 36 years. Mrs. Albers was a member of Stpjohn's Lutheran Church in Leland, wliere she taught Sunday School and was'also the church organist. She was atmember, of the E.L.C.W., the active Stiver's 4-H Club and the Leland Homgmaiers.

She is survived by a son'Alan (Shirley) Albers of Leland; a daughter, Marion (Lloyd) Tupper of Grafton; seven grandchildren; nine freat-grandchildren; a great-great grand-aiighter; eight step-grandchildren; and 1 step-great-grandchildren. In addition td "her parents, she was preceded in her husband; a brother, Clif-fqrd Lange; a sister, Lucile George; and a daughter-in-law, Sallye Albers. Funeral services will be held at ST. JOHN'S LUTHERAN CHURCH, Leland a.m. on Wednesday, October with Pastor Miriam Hull officiating.

Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Friends may call from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 3, 1995, at the GNEWlKOW-HOOVERSON FUNERAL HOME, Sauk City. Anderson, Paul W.

LAKE DELTON Paul W. An-derson. age 85. of Lake Delton. fashioned testosterone thumping" from a veteran firetower builder to; get him into the business at age 19.

"When we started building, at 40 feet up I quit I was scaredA Ogle said. "But the old guy gave, me a lot of guff and I finally kep on working with him. And then 1 got to liking it" That "old guy," Ralph Keck, worked for the state Conservation Department (now the Department of Natural Resources) and also rati his own tower service on the side Ogle replaced Keck in the state job; when he retired and eventually bought out Keek's tower service business. He later quit the statu position and started his current; company, for Ogle and Keck). Ogle made his way up the lad der, so to speak, building 200- and, 300-foot radio towers for sheriffs and county highway department and hospitals.

In the late 1970s, htf hooked up with a tower man from, New York, Jim Meehan, who later created a worldwide tower service company and hired Ogle as a field superintendent 1 While with Meehan's company, Communications, Ogle found himself dangling from towers all over the globe, from Alaska and Hawaii to Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Somoa. On the road for months at a time, Ogle's business stayed afloat at home, due in large part to hi wife, Lois, who coordinated th OK Tower Service crews and even helped once in a while, "close to the ground." "While working for I was the supervisor of building a down in Texas," Ogle" said. "That was the biggest tower actually ever erected." There's no room for daydreaming on the job, Ogle said, and "You don't step back to look at your work!" By Jamie Mara Marshfield News-Herald MEDFORD (AP) Not many people who fall 75 feet down a narrow shaft of steel framework, tearing muscles and breaking bones, would consider themselves lucky. Glen Ogle does. But then again, not everybody is Glen Ogle.

It takes but a second for the 59-year-old Perkinstown man to recall his most fateful day in his rare profession as a tower man, erecting and scaling radio and TV towers thousands of feet up to repair, paint and clean. It was Nov. 10, 1991, in Green Bay. "I was up 900 feet and the elevator kicked into free-wheeling or something malfunctioned and it started to drop, so I jumped. And as I jumped, (the elevator) caught me and pulled me loose, and I went down the inside of the tower," Ogle recalled.

Seventy-five feet later, both of Ogle's shoulders had been torn apart, as had his left arm (marked today by a long, thick scar). His sternum was split, both knees were twisted and his lower back was badly wrenched. "I was banged up, boy," he said. "I hit everything on the way. I tried making myself as big as I could so I'd catch on something.

I finally hung up in a corner." His son, Randy, who was working with him, pulled him to safety. As much of a horror story as it is, Ogle's seen much worse enough to consider himself lucky. In 40 years of tower work, Ogle has had six of his close friends plunge to their deaths. Yet, Ogle will tell you it comes with the territory. Now a seasoned veteran guiding his company's crew at OK Tower Service, Ogle wasn't always the high-wire artist he is today.

In fact, he admits, it took some old- Gullickson, Mollie B. COTTAGE GROVE Mollie B. Gullickson, age 101, died on Saturday, September 30, 1995, at a local nursing home. She was born November 10, 1893, in Deerfield, the daughter of Martin and Matilda (Swenson) Gilbert-son. She graduated from Deerfield High School in 1911.

She was a schoolteacher until her marriage to Andrew Gullickson on October 22, 1920. Together they farmed and ran a small dairy and grocery store in Cottage Grove. She was a member of Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church, was a Charter Member of the Cottage Grove American Legion Auxiliary and a member of the Retired Teacher's Association. She is survived by two daughters, Helen (Gordon) Truehl, and Janice (William) Fowler, both of Harrisville; a daughter-in-law, Charlotte Gullickson of Madison; 10 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; nieces and other relatives. She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; three brothers; and two sons, Marland and Grant.

Memorial services will be held at BRYN MAWR PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 229 North Main Street, Cottage Grove, at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 3, 1995, with Reverend John Zingaro officiating. Friends may call from 12:00 noon until time of services on Tuesday at the church. Memorials may be made to Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church. GUNDERSON FUNERAL HOME 5203 Monona Drive 221-5420 Wisconsin, died on Saturday, September 30, 1995, at the Continental Manor Care Center in Wisconsin Dells.

He was born on September 3, 1910, in Argyle, Wisconsin, the son of Alfred and Julia (Poff) Anderson. He married Julia L. "Judy" Wallace on January 4, 1942, in Davisville, Rhode Island, and she preceded him in death on October 13, 1991. Mr. Anderson was a veteran of World War having served in the United States Navy with the 69th Naval Construction Battalion (SeaBees) in the European Theatre of Operations.

Mr Anderson was a police officer for many years, serving in several departments including Los Angeles, Argyle, Sauk City, and Lake Delton, as well as Fewer urban students opt for suburban schools; Radtke, Eugene E. WATERTOWN Eugene E. Radtke, age 67, passed away on Saturday, September 30, 1995, at a Madison Hospital, following a short illness. He was born on December 9, 1927, in Stanley, Wisconsin, the son of Al E. and Rose (Heiting) Radtke.

On November 23, 1950, (Thanksgiving Day), he married the former Joyce Martens. Survivors include his wife, Joyce; two daughters, Dianna (Geof) Kaufmann of Watertown, and Pearl (Brad) Wetterlin of Lake-view, Minnesota; three sons, Randall R. (Deborah) Radtke of Lake Mills, Thomas J. Radtke of Watertown, and Paul R. (Susan) Radtke of Watertown; nine grandchildren; a sister, Carol (Peter) Madzar of Punta Gorda, Florida; a brother, Robert (Donna) Radtke of Manlius, New York; nieces; nephews; other relatives; and friends.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, October 3, 1995, at 7:00 p.m., at BERNARD'S CATHOLIC CHURCH in Watertown. Friends may call on Tuesday from 3:00 until 7:00 p.m. at the church. SCHMUTZLER VICK FUNERAL HOME is serving the In lieu of flowers, memorials to the church would be appreciated. Wilcox, Warren G.

WYOCENA Warren G. Wilcox, age 82, died on Friday, September 29, 1995, at the Divine Savior Hospital in Portage. He was born on February 23, 1913, the son of George and Lucy (Heaps) Wilcox. On June 29, 1940, he was united in marriage to Norma Koeppe at the North Scott Baptist Church. Warren Wilcox was an office manager at the Portage Creamery as well as Gic of Pardeeville.

He then was a representative of The Mutual of New York Insurance Company. Mr. Wilcox was a member of the Wesleyan Bible Church of Pardeeville. He was also a member of the Giddions International. Previously, he was a very active member of the former Marcellon Baptist Church.

He is survived by his wife, Norma Wilcox of Portage; a son, Lee Wilcox of Madison; nieces; nephews; other near relatives; and many dear friends. Memorial services for Warren Wilcox will be held on Monday evening, October 2, 1995, at 7:00 p.m., at the WESLEYAN BIBLE CHURCH. Pastor Kenneth Stamm will officiate. Inurnment will follow at a later date at the North Marcellon Cemetery. Friends and relatives may call at the church on Monday evening from 6:00 p.m.

until time of memorial services. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Warren's name. THE SMITH FUNERAL HOME in Pardeeville is serving the family. Mankowski, M. Clarice CAMBRIDGE Clarice Mankowski, age 68, of Cambridge, died on Sunday, October 1, 1995, at Fort Atkinson Memorial Health Services.

She was born November 10, 1926, in Cambridge, Wisconsin, the daughter of Harold and Frieda (Engerl Strom. She was a former owner of The Coffee Shop in Jefferson, and farmed with her nusband in the Town of Oakland. She married George Mankowski on June 24, 1950. She was a member of St. Pius Catholic Church, Cambridge.

She is survived by her husband, George Mankowski of Cambridge; a daughter, Debra Mankowski of Cambridge; a son, Brian Mankowski of Windsor, Wisconsin; a brother, Gary (Carol) Strom of Jefferson; several grandchildren; and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Howard; and a sister, Isabelle. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, October 3, 1995, at the NITARDY FUNERAL HOME, Cambridge. Father Wayne Turner will officiate.

Friends may call from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Monday, October 2, 1995, at the funeral home, with a Rosary at 7:30 p.m. MILWAUKEE (AP) Voluntary student participation in the Milwaukee area's school integration busing program has declined for a second year, and officials say reasons may include disinterest among minority parents. The state-financed Chapter 220 program began 19 years ago, allowing minority students from the inner city to attend predominantly white schools in the suburbs.

The Milwaukee School District says preliminary statistics show about 5,300 of its students are enrolled in the suburbs, a decrease of more than 7 percent from last year. The first decrease occurred last year and was 2.2 percent "My suspicion is, there have been some problems with some suburban schools dealing with race relations," said Bob Smith, principal of privately operated Messmer High School on Milwaukee's north side. "There may be some disillusionment setting in, particularly among minority parents who had the experience and it wasn't up to expectations," said David Meissner, executive director of the Public Policy Forum. The forum, a citizen research group, says in the ninth annual Chapter 220 report that there is uncertainty over the program's future because legislators are looking for ways to reduce state spending. The state's school choice pro? gram, under which needy childreri get tuition assistance to attend private schools, may be a reason for fewer Chapter 220 volunteers, Meissner said.

"It was definitely noticeable" said South Milwaukee school director Michael Salkowski, noting the number of Chapter 220 stu'r dents in his suburban district de: clined from 363 last year to 312 in the current school year. "All of a sudden, with the choice option, they could elect tij attend (private schools) and be closer to home," Salkowski said. Smith added that it's been difficult for some students attending class and extracurricular activities far from their home neighborhoods. In suburban Greendale, Super? intendent Donald Tuler said the number of Milwaukee students has decreased 30 percent since the 1993-94 school year, to 178. Chapter 220 participation grew throughout the 1980s to a peak qf 5,917 in 1993.

Hahn, Herbert H. REEDSBURG Herbert H. Hahn, age 85, of Reedsburg, died on Saturday, September 30, 1995 at the Sauk County Health Care Center. He is survived by his beloved wife, Vernice; a daughter and son-in-law, Sherry and Dave Retzlaff of Reedsburg; a daughter-in-law, Donna Hahn of Loganville; a granddaughter, Jessica Retzlaff; five grandsons, Mike, Dan, and Chris Hahn and Nick and Ross Retzlaff; two great-granddaughters, Courtney and Brittany Hahn; a brother, Harry (Helen) Hahn of Reedsburg; two sisters-in-law, Dolores (Everett) Brandt of Middleton and Florence Hahn of Reedsburg; several nieces and nephews; aunts; other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by two sons, Roger and Gary; a daughter, Cheryl Hahn; his parents, Henry and Emma Hahn; two brothers, Arthur and Edmund (Lillian) Hahn and a sister, Edna Weiss.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 4, 1995, at ST. JOHN'S LUTHERAN CHURCH in Hillpoint with Reverend Lance Hoff officiating. Interment will be in St. John's Cemetery at Tuckertown.

The family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 3, 1995, at the HAMMER-HOOF FUNERAL HOME in Reedsburg. Hodgkins, Janet L. FALL RIVER Janet L.

Hodgkins, age 45, of Fall River, died on Saturday, September 30, 1995, at Madison Meri-ter Park Hospital Madison. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, October 3, 1995, at 11:00 a.m., at the funeral home. Friends may call on Monday, October 2, 1995, from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. ZEIDLER-MURRAY FUNERAL HOME COLUMBUS I the Sauk County Sheriffs Department.

Mr. Anderson was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Sauk County Law Enforcement Association, Marshall and the Lions Club. Mr. Anderson is survived by his daughter, Qale Cleveland of Lake Delton; two grandchildren, Brent (Kim) Cleveland of Sauk City and Krista (Gary) Nechvatal of Verona; four great-grandchildren, Shea Cleveland of Pryor, Oklahoma, Roebe Cleveland of Phoe- nix, Arizona, Brien Nechvatal of Verona, and an expected great-grandchild; three brothers, Earl (Christine) Anderson of Fayetteville, Alaska, Dale (Dorothy) Anderson of Marshall, Wisconsin, and Irvin (Fran) Anderson of Rockaway Beach, Missouri; three sisters, Inez Foesch of San California, Eunice (Howard) Olds of Hot Springs Village, Alaska, and Irene (Bob) Meyer of Blanchardville, Wisconsin; nieces; nephews; cousins; and good friends.

In addition to his wife; fie was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Sandra Kay; and three brothers, Glenn, Lester, and Girth. Memorial services will be held on Tuesday, October 3, 1995, at 10:30 a.m., in ST. PAUL'S LUTHERAN CHURCH with Pastor J. Philemon Anderson officiating. Interment will take place in Woodlawn Cemetery in Argyle, Wisconsin.

The RAGO-HANSON FUNERAL HOME is assisting the family. DaddyGrandpa, You are now at home with Mom Grandma. Go in peace. We love you. Bliese, Connie M.

WYOCENADEFOREST Connie M. Bliese, age 47, died Saturday, September 30, 1995, at the Columbia Care Center at Wyocena. Connie Mae Bliese was born at Madison, Wisconsin, on October 8, 1947, to Frank W. and Gladys V. (Hanson) Bliese.

Connie had been under the loving care of her parents until moving to the Columbia Care Center at Wyocena in 1959. She is survived by two brothers, William (Rita) Bliese of DeForest and Jerry Bliese of Oxford; two nieces, Shery (Bruce) Brandenburger of Rio and Shiela (Jeff) Hien of Columbus; and other near relatives. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, October 3, 1995, at 4:00 p.m. from the EDWARDSON-AXTEli FUNERAL HOME in DeForest. Reverend Scott Walters will officiate.

Burial will be in the North Windsor Cemeter in Dane County, Wisconsin. Friends may call at he EDWARDSON-AXTELL FUNERAL HOME in DeForest on Monday, October 2, 1995, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and on Tuesday until the time of i Oailey, Arvilla May MADISON Arvilla Dailey, age 63, passed away on Saturday, September 30, 1995, after a long illness. She was born on May 25, 1932, in Briggsville, to Hazel and Orvtlle Corn-? ing.

She was preceded in death by her loving parents; and her husband, Rob--art -A, wailey. Survivors include, four "daughters, Betty (Scott) Lopper, Anita iDaiiey, Jenny Myer, and Mary Dailey; 'a son, Orville Daily; two sisters, Mary Lour (Laverno) Janlsch, and Hellen Crawford; four brothers, Merwyn (Janet), Donald (Eleanore), Charles Karen), and Roger (Patty) Corning; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; several nieces; and nephews. iFuneral services will be held on Tuesday, October 3, 1995, at I a.m., at FITCH-LA WRENCE-SANFILLIPPO FU-iNERAL HOME, 6021 University Ave-'nue, Madison. Friends may call trom 10:30 a.m. until the time of service.

Head of services firm accused of wrongly billing government George Kirby LAS VEGAS Comedian George Kirby, who delighted audiences for more than 40 years with impressions ranging from John Wayne to Ella Fitzgerald, has died. He was 71. Kirby died at a nursing home Saturday after a long bout with Parkinson's disease, said dancer Norma Miller, a longtime friend. He had been paralyzed for several months, "but you know what? He was telling jokes to the end," she said. "He was a big, fat, jolly human being who just lit up a room and made everybody laugh," Miller said.

"We crossed this desert together to play Vegas. That was almost 50 years ago. And now I've lost my best friend." Kirby began his career in Chicago and came to Las Vegas with Miller in 1952 as part of the Count Basie show, one of the first black acts to play Vegas. As Kirby's act caught on, he headlined solo shows at Caesars Palace and other spots on the Strip and often appeared on TV with Ed Sullivan, Johnny Carson and Mike Douglas in the 1960s and 1970s. He was also a regular on "The Copycats," a weekly showcase for impressionists.

He was best known for impressions of stars such as Jerry Lewis, John Wayne and Walter Brennan, and for his dead-on takes of women, notably Pearl Bailey, Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan. "He stole every show he did. And my God, everybody loved him," producer Harry Seybold said. "He never turned anybody down." Kirby once said that he kept on imitating the stars of yesteryear because the voices of today's celebrities lack character: "There are no more Sydney Greenstreets, Peter Lorres, Jimmy Cagneys or Jimmy Stewarts. "If you took three of the old-timers and put them behind a door and let them talk, you can tell which is which.

But today you put three actors in that room and you can't tell them apart for Arnold Schwarzenegger." Kirby was arrested in 1977 for selling cocaine and heroin to an undercover officer and served 3V2 years in prison. When he came out, he visited schools to tell students to stay off drugs. The ailing funny man last appeared in public in May, when friends including Delia Reese, Barbara McNair, Joe Williams, Debbie Allen, O.C. Smith, Sherman Hemsley and Rip Taylor put together an all-star benefit to help pay his medical bills. Kirby is survived by his wife of 34 years, Rosemary.

Funeral arrangements were incomplete. Associated Press 4 ti mt MILWAUKEE (AP) The president of companies that provide housekeeping services for shut-ins is accused of billing Medicare and Medicaid for maid service at her own home for several years before the government reacted. Documents in U.S. District Court quote a former employee as saying the programs paid $4,000 a month for personal services for seven years, amounting to $336,000. There have been no arrests, and the suburban-based companies were not named.

"The case is before a grand jury," said Bill Noble, a Chicago investigations supervisor in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' inspector general's office. James Shellow, the companies' lawyer, declined comment The companies provide nursing and personal care for handicapped people in their homes as an alteE native to sending them to nursing homes. The companies specialize in people with mental problems, and have nearly 450 patients. From 1987 to 1993, the ex-em? ployee said, the companies submitted reimbursement claims to Medicare and Medicaid for salaries of maids, cooks and baby-sitters, and even personal credit-car) charges, identifying them as "sales and salaries, maintenance costs." The companies' president said the reimbursement amounts werj less than allowed by the government "and that she was entitled to be reimbursed at the highest possible rate," the documents said.

She reasoned she could "stick the personal expenses in there because the money was actually due her anyway," the documents said" Hubred, Esther E. (Ramsfield) DEERFIELDMADISON Esther E. Hubred (Ramsfield), age 72, of Deerfield, formerly of Madison, died unexpectedly on Saturday, September 30, 1995, at a local hospital. She was born on October 11, 1922, in Madison, the daughter of Hans and Birdie Lee Anderson. She is survived by her former husband, Oscar Ramsfield of Madison; her children, Howard (Darleen) Ramsfield of Madison, Jannette (Dennis) Becker of Deerfield, Susan (Tom) Ernser of Madison, Donna (Rogor) Manner of Monona; six grand 4.