Bidlingmaier, Sylvan W.
MONTICELLO - Sylvan W. Bidlingmaier, age 87, of Monticello, passed away on Friday, Jan. 30, 2009, at the Monroe Clinic Hospital. He was born on Dec. 16, 1921, to William and Lena Bidlingmaier. On Aug. 14, 1941, he was united in marriage to Peggy Benkert. Sylvan was a farmer and enjoyed spending time with family and many friends. He liked to have fun and joke around. He was fond of music and loved to dance to the big band sounds, and in his younger years would travel a distance to go to a big ballroom to dance. In his later years, he would start his day making rounds for coffee at numerous places and talking with friends and strangers alike. Sylvan had a talent for striking up conversations with people wherever he went. He was an active and faithful member and past president of the Washington Reformation United Church of Christ. He was a proud father of his six children and they will always remember the work ethic and lessons he taught them. Sylvan is survived by his six children, Karen (Bill) Ghormley of Ojai, Calif., Mike Bidlingmaier, Darris (Diane) Bidlingmaier, Cheryl (Paul) Komprood, Sue (Russ) Torkelson and Rick (Kathy) Bidlingmaier all of the Monticello area; 17 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; four sisters, Evelyn Moritz, Shirley Anderson, Dorothy (Dallas) Wild and Jean (Daryl) Kleckner; a brother, Nathan Bidlingmaier; a brother-in-law, Herbert Baumgartner; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Peggy; two sisters, Lorene Durtschi and Marion (sic.) Baumgartner; a brother in infancy; and a grandson, Tracy Komprood. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 2, 2009, at the WASHINGTON REFORMATION UCC CHURCH, N6026 Church Road, Monticello, with Pastor Mary Gafner officiating, with burial in the Washington Cemetery. Relatives and friends may call from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, at the ZENTNER-BEAL FUNERAL HOME, 29 6th Ave., New Glarus. Memorials are suggested to the Washington Reformation United Church of Christ in lieu of flowers.