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Anthony "Tony" Vitkus

vet
May 9, 1913 – Jan 24, 2014

~~     Anthony J. Vitkus, 100, passed away in St. Joseph’s Home for the Aged on Friday, January 24, 2014.  He was born in Kenosha on May 9, 1913 the son of the late John A. and Anna (Blazis) Vitkus.
     Tony served his country in the Civilian Conservation Corps planting many trees in Northern Wisconsin and later with the U.S. Marine Corps in the South Pacific during World War II participating in the battles for Guadacanal, Iwo Jima and Okinawa as a rear gunner in a SBD Dauntless dive bomber and on the aircraft carrier USS Bennington as a plane captain for an F4U Corsair Fighter.   On November 28, 1946, in St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, he was united in marriage to the former Theresa MacKnight who preceded him in death on November 11, 2005. Tony had been employed at American Brass as a crane operator and then for 27 years as a milkman by Borden’s Dairyland Dairy and Landgren’s Dairy, while working part time managing the bowling alley and bartending at the Elks Club and various other establishments in Kenosha.  He was the first custodian of the Seideman Natatorium at Carthage College where he worked for 8 years and where he finally retired from.  He was a member of St. Elizabeth Catholic Church where he served on the Parish Council and ushered for many years, the Knights of Columbus St. Robert Newman Council #973, the 4th Degree Archbishop Messmer Assembly #1201, Teamsters Local #43 Retirees, the Marine Corps League and the V.F.W. Post 1865.  He had been a Kenosha Alderman of  the Second Ward from 1958 until 1962 and was a member of the Water Commission.  He acted with the Kenosha Little Theatre from 1938 until 1960, and performed with the Senior Variety Fair entertainers doing comedy routines and Jimmy Durante impressions. Tony was an avid swimmer and swam nearly every day at the KYF, Carthage College, or the RecPlex until he was 96 years old.
     Surviving are his children, Donna (Bruce) Buzzell of Kenosha, Kathy (Louie) Carrillo of Umatilla, FL, John (Margaret) Vitkus of Kenosha, Mark (Peggy) Vitkus of Germantown, James Vitkus of Fort Lauderdale, FL, Joseph (Ilene) Vitkus of  Ft. Lauderdale, FL; grandchildren, James (Alena) Aarino, Darin (Dawn) Aarino, Jason (Tracy) Buzzell, Anthony Buzzell, Karen Hannon, Jaclyne (Brent) Osentowski;  Vanessa (Dru) Fuller, Jessica Carrillo, and Crystal (Johnny) Dunn, Aaron(Jill) Vitkus, Kyle (Christina) Vitkus, Kevin (Katie) Vitkus,  and Jon (Angela) Vitkus, Luke Vitkus and Lauren (Derek) Dundon, Courtney Vitkus, Joshua and Rebecca Vitkus; great grandchildren, Nicholas, Lindsey and Terah Aarino, Max Huzau, Jason, Rachel, and Alyssa  Buzzell, Jacob and Justin Buzzell, Gracie Osentowski, Abigail Dunn, Alexander Fuller, Katelyn, Madelyn and Matthew Vitkus,  Anthony Vitkus, Brianna Vitkus, Donovan and Avery Dundon,and 5 more great grandchildren on the way. Tony is further survived by his nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. In addition to his parents and beloved wife, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Joseph and Frank “Lefty” Vitkus and sisters, Ann LaDousa and Dorothy Wertz.
     A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church on Wednesday, January 29th at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Sean Granger officiating. Visitation will be in the funeral home on Tuesday, January 28th from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and in the church on Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the Mass. In lieu of flowers the family has suggested memorials to St. Joseph Catholic Academy or St. Elizabeth Catholic Church.
The family would like to thank the dedicated staff and nurses ,the compassionate nuns, and the many caring aides of  St. Joseph Home for the Aged for taking such wonderful care of our father, grandfather and great-grandfather.  

 

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Guestbook Entries

  1. Tracy Carrasquillo says

    November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

    A wonderful man who meant so much to so many will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

  2. glorious Goldsmith-Hicks and Family says

    November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

    Dear Family: I count it a blessing to see that you enjoyed you “DAD” for 100 years. What a great gift from God! My condolences to your family. Our prayers are with you.

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Testimonials

December 18, 2024

Words cannot even begin to express the tremendous gratitude our family has for a team like the one at Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home & Crematory. Thank you for the gentle lovely care over our mother Delia (Rosa) Balderas. Never having had a direct experience with a funeral home to this extent we didn’t know what to expect. We didn’t have a clue that they would step right in and have the most comforting team surrounding us that thought of ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING for anyone in our position. It was very evident from the first discussion on the phone that they were already well prepared to handle every little detail for us that we weren’t even aware would be required. Mark and his team truly eased so much of the unknown worries right out of our path, and left room for us to just focus on the small personal details we wanted for our mom. It was nice to know that all cost involved was in black and white on their site as well as on paper at our first meeting. Leaving no room for question or doubt what so ever with any fee involved. It was truly a blessing to have everything written out so well and simplified with various price range options in a time that we needed crystal clear direction. Its been beautiful to see that their care and service didn’t stop after our mom’s service came to an end. They continue to be in communication with immediate responses as questions arise along the way. God bless Mark, and the entire compassionate team, to be around to guide many many more for generations to come through life’s most difficult times. You are all truly amazing.

 

Hilda Balderas

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