Obituaries for April 8, 2003

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, April 9, 2003

Leone Vaughan, 97

Leone Vaughan, 97, of Gillette, Wyo., formerly Austin, died Friday, April 4, 2003, at the Pioneer Manor Nursing Home, Gillette, Wyo., from natural causes.

She was born June 12, 1905, to Martin and Hannah (Convey) Gallagher in Waseca County. She graduated from Bethlehem Academy High School in Faribault.

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For a short time, Leone worked in a shoe factory before marrying Joseph Vaughan on May 23, 1925, at St. Ann's Catholic Church in Janesville. The couple moved to Austin to raise their family, and resided there for 37 years.

When Joseph and Leone retired in 1962, they moved to Mesa, Ariz. Due to Joseph's health they moved to Casper, Wyo. in 1972 to be near family. He passed away Nov. 10, 1973. Leone continued to live in Casper for another 10 years, moving to Gillette, Wyo. in 1983.

She was a member of St. Matthew's Catholic Church and the Council of Catholic Women in Gillette, Wyo. She enjoyed baking, crocheting, playing the board game SCRABBLE. Leone also enjoyed playing the card game Minnesota 500 with Father Kadera from St. Matthew's.

Survivors include her son, Kenneth (LaVonne) Vaughan, Austin; daughter, Eileen (Jim) Walport, Gillette, Wyo.; 17 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; and sons, Dale and Donald Vaughan.

Visitation: 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, April 10, 2003, at the funeral home and Friday at the church for one hour before the service.

Service: 10 a.m. Friday at St. Ann's Catholic Church in Janesville with Father Glenn Frerichs officiating. Casket bearers will be Bob Vaughan, Joe Vaughan, Mike Vaughan, Dave Vaughan, Brian Vaughan and Pat Walport.

Interment: St. Ann's Cemetery.

Funeral Home: Arnoldt-McRaith Funeral Home, Janesville.

Merwin E. Read, 66

Merwin E. Read, age 66, of Woodbury, Minn., formerly of Austin has passed away.

He is the beloved husband for 47 years of Gloria; loving father of Kim (Tom) Griffiths, Deb (Larry) Shafranski, and Scott (Theresa) Read; devoted grandfather of Shannon, Lindsay, Joe, Zach, Katie, Andy and Maggie. He is also survived by sisters, Faye Strouf, Betty Neddersen, Joyce Duren, Marilyn Reuter, Bernice Konken, Sharon Emhke, Shirley Jendersee, Bonnie Block and Sandra Olsen; brother, Jerry Read; and many special nieces, nephews, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Phyllis.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, April 9, at 11:30 a.m. at Lutheran Church of Peace, 47 South Century Ave., St Paul. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at Union Cemetery.

Wulff Woodbury Funeral Home, Woodbury, Minn., is handling arrangements.

R. Scott Brooks, 52

Richard Scott Brooks, 52, of Austin, died at his home.

He was born Oct. 12, 1950, in Austin, to George and Dorothy (Stanek) Brooks.

He graduated from Austin High School in 1969. He served in the United States Air Force. He was married and later divorced.

Scott was a peace officer with the Austin Police Department and the Minneapolis Police Department. He also had worked for the Bremmer County Florida Sheriff's Department. The last three years he was a security guard for Rochester Armored Cars.

Survivors include his ex-wife, Trina Brooks, Bolingbrook, Ill.; son, Andrew Brooks, Bolingbrook, Ill.; daughter, Erica Brooks, Bolingbrook, Ill.; brother and sister-in-law, Mick and Janine Brooks, Austin.

He is preceded in death by his parents and an infant brother.

Visitation: One hour before the service at the funeral home on Wednesday.

Service: 1 p.m. memorial service Wednesday, April 9, 2003, at the funeral home with Rev. Forrest Miller officiating.

Interment: Calvary Cemetery.

Funeral Home: Mayer Funeral Home, Austin.