The Iraq War: 10 Years of Casualties, With 1 From Caledonia

It's been 10 years since the start of the Iraq War. Caledonia lost one of its own in the Iraq War.

The 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq began 10 years ago this week — on March 19, 2003 — and although officially "over," fighting continues. By one count, the war is directly responsible for 189,000 deaths, not including those who died from hardship caused by the fighting. CNN has a stunning map of all casualties in the Afghanistan and Iraq wars. In all, 4,802 Americans and allies have died in the war, according to the Iraq Coalition Casualty Count, including 89 from Wisconsin. Among them was one person from Caledonia. From the CNN war casualties web site:

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Bob Brink Served His Country and Community

Bob Brink, one of the first officers to retire from the Caledonia Police Department, passed away May 8. He is missed and loved by his wife, three children, six grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Longtime Village Electrician Passes Away

Jerry Kortendick spent 54 years as an electrician for the Village of Caledonia, but he also contributed so much more and will be greatly missed.

When longtime Village Electrician Jerry Kortendick passed away on Feb. 28, his family, friends and former co-workers reflected on how lucky they all were to have him in their lives. In a tribute article from The Journal Times, Kortendick is remembered as the guy who was always there when needed, including saving the former MECCA (Milwaukee Exposition Convention Center and Arena) building in Milwaukee from a fire in 1991. Just a couple of weeks before he died, Village of Caledonia staff and representatives celebrated Kortendick's retirement, and there was a moment of silence for him at the March 4 Village Board meeting. Kortendick is survived by his wife, Shirley, five children, 26 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, two brothers and …

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Obituary: Hannah Hartman, 20, of Caledonia

A Caledonia woman and her horse die on the same day.

A 20-year-old Caledonia woman died on Monday and so did her horse A.P., according to her obituary. Hannah Irene Hartman, 20, graduated from Grace Christian Academy in 2010, was an active 4-H member and was a waitress at the Lotus Restaurant in Oak Creek. The obituary did not mention a cause of death. A call was made to Hannah's family, but has not been returned. A visitation will be held from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday at Jubilee Christian Family Church, 3639 W. Ryan Rd., in Franklin. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. after the visitiation.

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Caledonia Man Arrested For Making Bomb Threat

Regis C. Brown, of Caledonia, was arrested by the Mount Pleasant Police Department after he allegedly called in a bomb threat to Mixer's Nightclub in Mount Pleasant.

A 32-year-old Caledonia man was arrested for allegedly calling in a bomb threat to a Mount Pleasant bar on Saturday. No charges have been officially issued against Regis C. Brown by the Racine County District Attorney’s Office. However, the Mount Pleasant Police arrested him for making a bomb threat and the case has been sent to the Racine County District Attorney’s Office for charging, according to a press release by the Mount Pleasant Police Department. Mount Pleasant Police were called to Mixers Nightclub, 6501 Washington Avenue, at 11:45 p.m. Saturday for a possible bomb on the premises. Officers cleared the premises and did a thorough search. Police found nothing of interest that would indicate anyone was in danger. MPPD allowed the …

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Boy, Son of Former Racinian, Has Died of Cancer

Shaymus Guinn passed away Dec. 19. He battled cancer for more than four years.

Shaymus Guinn, son of former Racine resident Tony Guinn and Kayla Baumgart Guinn, passed away Dec. 19, at Children's Hospital.  Shaymus had battled cancer for more than four years. His family says he was an artist, Lego master, singer and prolific reader, and that he was "loving, kind, thoughtful, intelligent, had a great sense of humor, was brave and was appreciative of even the little things in life." They also thanked everyone who has organized fundraisers over the past four years.  Christie Meandering Kern is one of those. She organized a combination benefit and bone marrow drive in the spring, aimed at helping Shaymus, and others who needed bone marrow transplants.

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Obituary: John N. Janick

Janick, 40, was a beloved husband, father, son and brother.

John N. Janick entered Heaven on Thursday, December 13, 2012 at the age of 40. Beloved husband of Julie (nee Scherrer) for 14 years. Bestest dad of Ryan. Loving son of Linda and Donald. Dear brother of Jason. Dear son-in-law of Judeen and Kenneth Scherrer. Brother-in-law of Michael (Erica) Scherrer. Uncle of Kasia Scherrer. Special nephew of Eugene Dalton. John is further survived by other relatives and friends. He is now reunited with Grandma and Grandpa Dalton and Uncle Otis. John was an alumni of the Thomas More High School Class of 1990 and a proud Army veteran. Visitation will be held at the Max A. Sass & Sons Greenfield Chapel, 4747 S. 60th St., on Monday, Dec. 17 from 4 to 7 p.m. and on Tuesday at Hales Corners Lutheran Church, …

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Two Kenosha Men Charged With Robbing TCF Bank

Thanks to the help of witnesses in the area, Racine Police quickly nabbed two men suspected of robbing TCF Bank employees at gunpoint.

Two Kenosha men were charged with robbing TCF Bank employees and then fleeing police by the Racine County District Attorney’s Office today. Antonio Brown, 28, was charged with armed robbery — party to a crime. If convicted, Brown faces up to 40 years in prison and may be fined up to $100,000. Darnell Williams, 39, was charged with armed robbery — party to a crime, attempting to flee or elude a police officer, and first degree recklessly endangering safety. If convicted of all charges, Williams faces up to 56 years in prison and fined up to $135,000. According to the criminal complaint, Williams and Brown went into TCF Bank, 3959 Douglas Avenue, about 2:40 p.m. Monday. One of the men jumped over a counter and into the area where the tellers…

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Obituary: Martin "Marty" Davis

Marty Davis loved spending time with his family, racing midget race cars and running. Davis died unexpectedly on Saturday at Wheaton Franciscan Hospital.

Martin “Marty” M. Davis, 54, of Caledonia, passed away unexpectedly, Saturday, October 20 at Wheaton Franciscan – All Saints Medical Center. Marty was born in Racine, November 19, 1957, son of Norman and Bernice (Nee: Grellinger) Davis. Marty was a graduate of J.I. Case High School “Class of 1975”. On February 25, 1984 at St. Andrews Lutheran Church he was united in marriage to the love of his life, Tina M. Rigden. He and his wife owned and operated Davis Equipment Services. Racing was his passion and Marty was a member and past champion of BMARA (Badger Midget Auto Racing Association), and UMARA (United Midget Auto Racing Association). He also belonged to the USAC Racing Association and Dairyland Racing Association. Marty was a …

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Obituaries

Reuben Baganz, Marvin Andersen, Wallace Krivsky, Robert Bruno, and Rose Gorske passed away this week.

Reuben J. Baganz, 92, passed away at Franciscan Villa in South Milwaukee on Tuesday, September 18. Reuben was born in Marshfield, WI on June 4, 1920 to Otto and Mabel (nee, Swenson) Baganz. He married the former Rhoda Trapp in Furgus Falls, MN on August 17, 1940. Reuben was a musician and a salesman, retiring in 1990. Reuben "Bud" will be remembered by his wife of 72 years for being a loving and affectionate husband; by his sons as a model of a Christian man and great father; by his grandchildren for his outrageous stories and colorful personality; and by countless others as a skilled musician for many years with the Baganz Trio and in later life as a player of the harp, dulcimer and harmonica. Survivors include his wife, Rhoda Baganz; …

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