Obituaries are published free of charge and will be edited. Submit at JewishChronicle.org/form
For a paid obituary, contact Jane Dillon at 414-390-5765 or JaneD@MilwaukeeJewish.org.
Melvin A. Backer
Melvin A. Backer of Glendale died Feb. 28, 2017. He was 93.
Born in Hooper, Nebraska on Feb. 9, 1924, he came to Wisconsin from Rockford, Illinois in 1959. He was a member of Beth Hillel Temple in Kenosha. A draftsman at Globe Union/Johnson Controls, he had an interest in carpentry and design. His retirement years were filled with making wildly creative furniture and sculptures.
His surviving spouse is Romaine Backer. Other survivors include son Bradden Backer (Dena Feingold) and daughter Alisa Jaskiewicz (Matt).
He was a World War II Navy veteran and saw conflict aboard the USS Bradford in the Pacific Ocean. Burial was at Spring Hill Cemetery-Mausoleum, Milwaukee, on March 2, 2017 with Rabbi Dena Feingold and Goodman-Bensman Funeral Home. Memorial contributions are welcome to the charity of your choice.
Lawrence Neil Bensman
Lawrence Neil Bensman of Milwaukee died March 6, 2017. He was 61.
He was born Dec. 11, 1955 in Milwaukee. He worked as a financial advisor.
He is survived by wife Lyn E. Bensman (nee Goldstein); sons Cal, William and Blake Bensman; and brother Jeffrey (Cathy) Bensman.
With Second Home Cemetery and Northshore Funeral Services, the burial was March 8, 2017 with Rabbi Noah Chertkoff. Memorial contributions are welcome at the charity of your choice.
Maureen Blumenfeld Eichenbaum
Maureen Blumenfeld Eichenbaum, a Milwaukee native, died Feb. 23, 2017. She was 85.
A resident of Chai Point in Milwaukee she was born in the city on Nov. 25, 1931. She graduated from Wauwatosa Senior High School and Wisconsin State College with a 1953 bachelors of science. She was a member of Beth Israel and edited temple bulletins in the 1960s and 1970s. She also volunteered for Israel Bonds.
She was a bookkeeper and accountant by profession, with Eichenbaum & Associates in Milwaukee. Interests included knitting, baking and being a wonderful mother and grandmother.
Survivors include Arlin Anne (Eichenbaum) Kazez, daughter and Todd Eichenbaum (son).
Burial was at Agudas Achim on Feb. 26, 2017 with Hazzan Jeremy Stein and Goodman-Bensman Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be sent to the Jewish Museum Milwaukee, Jewish Community Pantry or Milwaukee Art Museum.
Ruth Eisen
Ruth Eisen of Menomonee Falls died Feb. 26, 2017. She was 92.
Ruth was the most fabulous mom, grandma, teacher and neighbor. Two of her granddaughters Tara and Jenna considered her their best friend.
She was predeceased by spouse Frederic Eisen in 1976.
A Wisconsin native, Ruth Eisen was born here in 1924 and graduated from Washington High School in 1942. At Temple Emanuel she spent over 20 years as director of Cradle Roll (preschool/daycare). For 36 years she taught at the Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center. After retiring at age 70 she devoted herself to volunteering. She spent 10 years at the Betty Brinn Children’s Museum and another decade-plus at Make-A-Wish, among others. She leaves behind a legacy of passion and devotion, especially to her grandchildren.
She is survived by daughters Wendy Selestow (Tony), Nancy Johnson (Bruce) and Ellen Frenkel (David). Her son Peter is deceased.
The burial was at Spring Hill Cemetery in a private service held March 1. Memorial contributions may be sent to Make-A-Wish Wisconsin, 11020 W. Plank Court, Suite 200, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin 53226.
Lucille Helen Frenkel
Lucille Helen Frenkel (nee Forman) of Glendale died March 6, 2017. She was 86.
She was the most gentle of souls and her life was about family, with unconditional love. Her six grandchildren and great-grandchild were the delight of her life.
She was predeceased in death by Abraham Frenkel in 2005. She lived part-time in Scottsdale, Arizona.
She is survived by sons Dan Frenkel (Kellie Heath), Tom (Jane) Frenkel and daughter Laurie (Bruce) Herman.
Alvin Leon Hearst
Alvin Leon Hearst of Boynton Beach, Florida, formerly of Mequon, died Feb. 15, 2017. He was 91.
Born in 1925 in Providence, Rhode Island, he was a member of Congregation Beth Israel and was involved with numerous charities. He came to Wisconsin from Malden, Massachusetts in 1953. He worked as a longtime advertising executive, associated with Hearst Advertising.
He was predeceased by Vivian Hearst (nee Glass) in 2008. A daughter, Beth Gail Hearst, is deceased.
He is survived by son Jack (Judy) Hearst, among others. Burial was at Second Home Cemetery, performed on Feb. 20 with Rabbi Noah Chertkoff and Goodman-Bensman Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to Beth Hearst Memorial Fund, c/o Congregation Beth Israel Ner Tamid, 6880 N. Green Bay Ave, Glendale, or the American Red Cross.
Milton Peckarsky
Pianist Milton Peckarsky died Feb. 10, 2017. He was 96.
Peckarsky performed on stages from University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee to Carnegie Hall. Mayor Tom Barrett declared Sept.14, 2012, “Milton Peckarsky Day” in recognition of his lifetime dedication to music. He was granted the Distinguished Member Award of the MacDowell Club of Milwaukee, among other accolades.
Peckarsky lived, taught, lectured and performed in the New York City metropolitan area for many years. He returned to Milwaukee in 1971 and taught in Milwaukee Public Schools until his retirement in 1982.
He was born July 10, 1920. The Milwaukee native graduated from Washington High School in 1938, then Carroll College locally and then Columbia University in New York. He served in the United States Coast Guard for more than three years.
He is survived by sons Peter (Andrea) Peckarsky and Craig Peckarsky; step-children Sharon Rukin, Mark Prudowsky and Judith Prudowsky. Beloved husband of the late Adeline (nee Kupperman) Peckarsky, Anita (nee Roberts) Peckarsky and Vivian (nee Ringle) Peckarsky.
A graveside service was held Feb. 14, 2017 at Mound Zion Cemetery with Rabbi Gil Ezer Lerer officiating.
Memorial contributions to Jewish Home & Care Center, 1410 N. Prospect Ave. will be appreciated.
Jack Rosen
Jack Rosen, a Milwaukee native, died Feb. 27, 2017. He was 76.
Rosen was born May 20, 1940 in Milwaukee and attended Washington High School, graduating in 1958. He was a member of Congregation Shalom and worked in the carpet and flooring business. Interests included tennis, the Green Bay Packers, the Milwaukee Brewers, and he had a great passion for collecting baseball memorabilia, especially Brewers memorabilia.
His spouse of 57 years, Marilyn (Rakita) Rosen, died in December of 2016.
Survivors include three daughters, Jodi (Tod) Gordon, Jill (Jeffrey) Stark and Deanna Irwin.
Rosen is remembered by children as “the kindest, most caring man, who is now with the love of his life, our mother. He lived to love and loved to live. Always selfless in his actions, he led a life filled with smiles, laughter and deep, deep love.”
Burial was March 3, 2017, with Rabbi Noah Chertkoff and Blane Goodman. Contributions may be sent to Chai Point Senior Living in memory of Jack Rosen, Attn: Raffa, at 1400 Prospect Avenue, Milwaukee WI 53202.
Steven Weingrod
Steven Weingrod, 66, died Jan. 21, 2017. He was 66.
The Milwaukee resident was born in the city on Dec. 12, 1950. He graduated from John Marshall High School in 1968 and Brandeis University in 1972. He was a member of Congregation Beth Jehudah.
He worked in marketing and fundraising for non-profits and worked for Member Benefits, Inc. Interests included independent filmmaking, music, Judaic study and swimming.
Survivors include wife Shari Malofsky-Weingrod, plus daughter Molly (Joey Weisenberg) Weingrod and son Sol Weingrod. He is also survived by siblings Lanny (Janice), Merrill (Phoebe) and David (Terry).
Steven, son of Herman and Esther Weingrod, OBM, was respected and admired by all who knew him. His devotion to his family and friends was unyielding, his work ethic exemplary. Steven’s support for the Jewish people and the State of Israel, and leading a Jewish life, were of paramount importance to him.
Burial at Beth Hamedresh Hagodol was on Jan. 22, 2017. Rabbi Michel Twerski officiated, with assistance from Goodman-Bensman Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be sent to Congregation Beth Jehudah, 3100 N. 52nd Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53216.
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