Person Page - 9

Peter Batke¹

• Father: Martin Batke¹ b. c 1848, d. b 1912
• Mother: Anna Lock¹ b. 27 Jun 1848, d. 31 Oct 1939

• Charts: Batke

• Birth*: Peter Batke was born between 1878 and 1881. On Henry Batke's obituary, four of his brothers are listed including Peter. Often in obituaries, children and siblings are listed in chronological order. This is true of Henry's children listed in this obituary and of the three known brothers, John, Karl and Fred. Therefore, the assumption is that Peter was born between the births of John and Karl as his name in the list is between John and Karl's names. However, Henry was born the year after John, so the birth date for Peter is assumed to be somewhere between Henry's and Karl's births.²
• Residence*: He lived in April 1949 at Germany.¹
• Blog*: He was mentioned in a blog at http://batkelock.blogspot.com Batke/Lock Genealogy Blog on 12 March 2010.³

Ruth Marie Batke¹

• Father: Henry Batke¹ b. 7 Sep 1877, d. 7 Apr 1949
• Mother: Katherine Reck¹ b. 14 Oct 1890, d. 28 Oct 1979

• Charts: Batke

• Birth*: Ruth Marie Batke was born on 5 June 1931 at St. Joseph, Berrien County, Michigan, USA.^1,2
• Residence*: She lived on 7 April 1949 at St. Joseph, Berrien County, Michigan.³
• Married Name: Her married name was Jonatzke.⁴
• Residence: She lived on 24 July 1980 at St. Joseph, Berrien County, Michigan.⁵
• Residence: She lived on 11 August 1997 at St. Joseph, Berrien County, Michigan.⁶
• Employment*: She was employed by Williams Brothers Paper Box Company, from which she retired, before 1999.²
• Death*: She died on 20 June 1999 at St. Joseph, Berrien County, Michigan, at age 68.
  Ruth M. Jonatzke St. Joseph -- Ruth Marie (Batke) Jonatzke, 68, of St. Joseph died June 20, 1999, at Lakeland Specialty Hospital, Berrien Center.
  Funeral services will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday at Kerley & Starks Funeral Home, St. Joseph, where visitation will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday. Cremation has taken place. Memorials may be made to Hospice at Home or the Kidney Foundation.
  She was born June 5, 1931, in St. Joseph. She retired from Williams Brothers Paper Box Co.
  Survivors include: four sons -- Robert (Gay) Jonatzke of Benton Harbor, Michael Jonatzke of Niles, Steven (Lisa) Jonatzke of Holiday, Fla., and Gerald Jonatzke of St. Joseph; a daughter, Valerie (Keith) Hafer of Sodus; seven grandchildren -- Tiffany Jonatzke, Kristina Lawton, Rebecca Jonatzke, Andrew Jonatzke, Stephanie Hafer, Matthew Jonatzke and Brennen Jonatzke; two sisters -- Anna Pesko and Mary (Arthur) Engler, both of St. Joseph; and two brothers -- Henry Batke of Davie, Fla., and William Batke of Schaumberg, Ill.
  Herald-Palladium, June 23, 1999.^7,2
• Blog*: She was mentioned in a blog at http://batkereck.blogspot.com Batke/Reck Genealogy Blog on 18 February 2010.⁸

Selma Batke^1,2

• Father: Henry Batke^2,3 b. 7 Sep 1877, d. 7 Apr 1949
• Mother: Katherine Reck^2,3 b. 14 Oct 1890, d. 28 Oct 1979

• Charts: Batke

• Birth*: Selma Batke was born on 28 January 1918 at Saskatchewan, Canada.^1,2,3
• Birth: She was born on 27 January 1919 at Canada.⁴
• Residence*: She lived in December 1921 at Lydiard, Saskatchewan, Canada.¹
• (Witness) Emigration: She emigrated with Henry Batke and Katherine Reck on 7 December 1921 at Canada; to the United States. They left from Ernfold, Canada (a Canadian Pacific railway station due north of Lydiard) crossing the US-Canadian border at Portal North Dakota. They were on board the Canadian Pacific Train 14. Their destination was Yellow Pine, Alabama which is on the Alabama-Mississippi border.^1,5
• Census 1930*: Selma Batke appeared on the 1930 census of 3 April 1930 at 714 Vine Street, St. Joseph, Berrien County, Michigan, USA.²
• Occupation*: She was Barlow Laundry in October 1940.³
• Residence: She lived on 21 October 1940 at St. Joseph, Berrien County, Michigan.³
• Married Name: As of 23 October 1940,her married name was Smith.³
• Marriage*: She married Olen Albert Smith on 23 October 1940 at St. Joseph, Berrien County, Michigan, USA; Married by Louis Nuechterbleu (sp?). Witnesses: Henry Elli and Mrs. Henry Elli both of South Bend, Indiana.³
• Residence: Selma Batke lived on 7 April 1949 at Benton Harbor, Berrien County, Michigan, USA.⁶
• Residence*: She and Olen Albert Smith lived on 29 October 1979 at Seminole, Seminole County, Oklahoma, USA.⁷
• Residence: Selma Batke and Olen Albert Smith lived before 1980 at 431 Beals Place, Seminole, Seminole County, Oklahoma, USA.⁴
• Death*: Selma Batke died on 24 July 1980 at Seminole, Seminole County, Oklahoma, at age 62.
  Selma Smith - Mrs. Olen (Selma) Smith, 61, 413 Beals Place, Seminole, Okla., formerly of St. Joseph and Buchanan, died Thursday at Seminole Municipal Hospital.
  Friends may call beginning Sunday at 10 a.m. at Kerley and Starks Funeral Home, St. Joseph, where funeral services will be held Monday at 1 p.m. Burial will be in Oak Ridge Cemetery, Buchanan. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer society.
  Mrs. Smith was born Jan. 27, 1919 in Canada. She was a member of St. Johns Lutheran Church, Shawnee, Okla. Survivors include: her husband; one son, Roger of Chicago, Ill; two daughters -- Mrs. Jeff (Judy) Jacobs of Atlanta, Ga., Cheryl Smith of Seminole; four grandchildren; four sisters -- Mrs. Katherine Frederick, Mrs. Alex (Anna) Pesko, Mrs. Robert (Ruth) Jonatzke, all of St. Joseph, Mrs. Arthur (Mary) Engler of Coloma; and three brothers -- William and Henry Batke, both of St. Joseph, Edward Batke of Coloma.⁴
• Burial*: She was buried on 28 July 1980 at Oak Ridge Cemetery, Buchanan, Berrien County, Michigan, USA.⁴
• Blog*: She was mentioned in a blog at http://batkereck.blogspot.com Batke/Reck Genealogy Blog on 18 February 2010.⁸

William Henry Batke¹

William Batke c1940s
Photo courtesy: Don Fredrick

• Father: Henry Batke² b. 7 Sep 1877, d. 7 Apr 1949
• Mother: Katherine Reck² b. 14 Oct 1890, d. 28 Oct 1979

• Charts: Batke

• Birth*: William Henry Batke was born on 12 August 1915 at Lydiard, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada.^1,3,4,5
• Birth: He was born on 12 August 1916 at Saskatchewan, Canada.^6,7
• Residence: He lived in December 1921 at Lydiard, Saskatchewan, Canada.⁸
• (Witness) Emigration: He emigrated with Henry Batke and Katherine Reck on 7 December 1921 at Canada to the United States. They left from Ernfold, Canada (a Canadian Pacific railway station due north of Lydiard) crossing the US-Canadian border at Portal North Dakota. They were on board the Canadian Pacific Train 14. Their destination was Yellow Pine, Alabama which is on the Alabama-Mississippi border.^8,9
• Census 1930*: William Henry Batke appeared on the 1930 census of 3 April 1930 at 714 Vine Street, St. Joseph, Berrien County, Michigan, USA.¹⁰
• Education*: He completed twelve years of schooling.⁴
• Marriage*: He married Edna Rita Kwiatkowski, daughter of Alexander Kwiatkowski and Rose Olszewski, on 21 August 1937 at Crown Point, Lake County, Indiana, USA. Harvey T. Minas, J.P. married the couple. The license dated April 4, 1978, was signed by Nick Krochta, Clerk, Lake Circuit Court and Lorraine Hochbaum, Deputy|.^1,3
• Occupation*: William Henry Batke was Laborer in a silk hosiery factory on 22 January 1939.⁷
• Residence: He and Edna Rita Kwiatkowski lived on 22 January 1939 at 3325 N. Lincoln Avenue, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, USA.⁷
• (Parent) Birth: William Henry Batke became the parent of Jerald William Batke on 22 January 1939 at Harrison & Wood (Cook County Hospital), Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, USA.^11,7
• Naturalization: William Henry Batke filed a Declaration of Intention was on 21 August 1941; Declaration of intention was filed a little more than four weeks before being naturalized.¹²
• Naturalization*: He was naturalized on 26 September 1941.¹²
• Residence: He lived on 7 April 1949 at Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, USA.¹³
• (Parent) Birth: He became the parent of Cynthia Renee Batke on 5 July 1952 at Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, USA; Announce Birth
  Mr. and Mrs. William Batke, formerly of this city, announce the birth of a five and one-half pound baby girl, Cynthia Renee at the Cuneo hospital in Chicago. Both mother and daughter are doing well. William is the son of Mrs. Henry Batke, 714 Vine st.
  The Herald-Press, St. Joseph, Michigan, page 4.^14,15
• Anecdote*: Florida Holiday: Mr. and Mrs. William Batke and daughter, Cynthia, of Chicago, former St. Joseph residents, are flying to Florida for the holidays. They will visit their son, Jerald Batke, and his wife and three children in their new home. The News-Palladium, December 21, 1962, page 3.¹⁶
• Residence: William Henry Batke lived on 29 October 1979 at St. Joseph, Berrien County, Michigan, USA.¹⁷
• Residence*: He and Edna Rita Kwiatkowski lived in July 1995 at 311 Carter, Palatine, Cook County, Illinois, USA.¹⁸
• Residence: William Henry Batke lived in 1997 at Chicago, Cook, Illinois, USA. Although Katherine Batke Fredrick's death notice states he is living in Chicago, I believe he may have already moved to the suburbs of Chicago.¹⁹
• Residence: He lived on 23 June 1999 at Schaumburg, Cook County, Illinois, USA.²⁰
• Residence: He lived in 2005 at 2542 Briar Trail, Schaumburg, Cook County, Illinois, USA.⁴
• Residence*: He lived in 2005 at Des Plaines, Cook County, Illinois, USA.⁶
• Death*: He died on 26 June 2005 at Lee Manor, Des Plaines, Cook County, Illinois, USA, at age 89.^1,6,4
• Burial*: He was buried on 28 June 2005 at Bohemian National Crematorium, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, USA; Cremated; Funeral Home: Verterans Funeral Service, Hines VA, Box 41, Hines, Illinois 60141-0041.⁴
• Blog*: He was mentioned in a blog at http://batkereck.blogspot.com Batke/Reck Genealogy Blog on 18 February 2010.²¹

Ralph Henry Beaudoin

Photograph by Picasa

• Birth*: Ralph Henry Beaudoin was born on 27 September 1938 at Manchester, Hillsbororgh County, New Hampshire, USA.
• Death*: He died on 23 October 2019 at Chicago, Cook, Illinois, USA, at age 81; Ralph Henry Beaudoin, born September 27, 1938, died October 23, 2019, age 81, of Chicago, formerly of Manchester, NH, San Jose, CA, and Rockville, MD, was a graduate of the University of New Hampshire receiving a BS in mechanical engineering and an MBA in finance. In his youth, he was committed to mentoring young men through his work with the Boys Scouts of America, Camp Carpenter in Manchester, NH, and the Manchester Boys and Girls Club. As a retired Vice President for Finance and Treasurer at Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, California and DePaul University, Chicago, he used his financial expertise to work with Catholic Charities of Chicago as a volunteer helping older adults in need of financial advice.
  
  He delighted in traveling the US, especially the national parks, and throughout Europe. Early in his life, Ralph was a private pilot which allowed him to enjoy many places on the East Coast and Canada. He enjoyed learning new things, encouraging his son to play sports and doing everything he could day in and day out to be his son's North Star. His gift for woodworking, which he enjoyed most of his life, allowed him to create lovely small pieces of furniture and beautiful jewelry boxes. An avid genealogist, he researched his family history back to the 1600s, spending many hours reading through microfilms in Salt Lake City and culling the Internet. The results of his genealogy efforts can be found at
  
  www.beaudoingenealogy.com. Much like everything he did in his life, he succeeded at everything he put his mind to.
  
  Ralph served on many boards and councils including School, College, University Underwriters, Limited (SCUUL), United Educators, National Association of College and University Business Officers, United Way of Santa Clara County, Chamber of Commerce of Santa Clara and the Computer Assisted Genealogy Group – Northern Illinois (CAGGNI) where he was membership chair, treasurer and program speaker.
  
  Dearly beloved son of the late Oscar and Yvette (Prince) Beaudoin, loving husband of Elaine (McIntyre) Beaudoin and the late Cynthia (Dupont) Beaudoin. Devoted father of Richard R. (Christine) Beaudoin and cherished Grandpa to Bethany and Heather Beaudoin. Treasured uncle to many nephews, nieces and grandnieces. Mentor to many. He is remembered as having a sharp intellect and a gentle soul.
  
  Visitation, Sunday, October 27, 2019, from 3 to 8 p.m., at HABEN Funeral Home & Crematory, 8057 Niles Center Rd., Skokie. Friends will meet for Funeral Mass, Monday, October, 28, at 10 a.m., at St. Gertrude Catholic Church, 1420 W. Granville Av., Chicago. Interment, Queen of Heaven Catholic Cemetery, Hillside.
  
  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Ralph H. and Elaine M. Endowed Scholarship at DePaul University, which supports undergraduate students with financial need: Advancement Gift Processing, Ralph H. and Elaine M. Beaudoin Scholarship, 1 E. Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL, 60604 (https://alumni.depaul.edu/GiveNow?id=1&alloc=92517).
  
  Funeral info: 847.673.6111 or www.habenfuneral.com to sign guestbook.
  Published in a Chicago Tribune Media Group Publication on Oct. 27, 2019.¹
• Burial*: He was buried on 28 October 2019 at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Hillside, Cook County, Illinois, USA, Lot 3, Block 10, Section 15.^2,1

William "Billy" Francis Bechdolt¹

• Birth*: William "Billy" Francis Bechdolt was born on 18 October 1925 at Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, USA.¹
• Marriage*: He married Bernadette O'Laughlin in November 1944.¹
• Biography: William and Bernadette raised seven children.²
• Death*: William "Billy" Francis Bechdolt died on 20 February 2001 at Tahoe City, Placer County, California, USA, at age 75.¹
• Biography*: A Tribute to 10th Mountain Division: World War II troops fought fearlessly and returned to develop national ski scene
  Mark McLaughlin
  Special to The Union
  November 11, 2010
  
  TAHOE/TRUCKEE – We often take for granted the abundance of modern ski resorts in the United States, but veterans from the 10th Mountain Division deserve special recognition for much of their development. After World War II, returning men from the 10th fired up America’s ski industry by publishing ski magazines, opening ski schools and establishing new ski areas, including Vail, Aspen, Sugarbush, Whiteface Mountain and others. At least 62 ski resorts were founded, managed or employed head ski instructors that were 10th Mountain Division veterans.
  These men had trained in the harsh winter climate of the Colorado Rocky Mountains and then fought courageously in Italy during World War II. Veterans Day is an appropriate time to honor these soldiers who took on rugged mountains, winter storms and artillery fire to flush entrenched Germans from their fortified alpine redoubt in 1945. Their efforts were critical to ending the war in Europe.
  Even before the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941, the U.S. War Department had encouraged all outdoor-oriented men to volunteer for mountain soldier training, which attracted park rangers, trappers, hunting guides, and skiers. Among those who signed up were Truckee residents Karl Kielhofer and Pete Vanni. Two others were 18-year-old freshmen at the University of Nevada in Reno: Chelton Leonard, a future coach of the school’s ski team, as well as Joe “Barnes” Berry, son of Bill Berry, a noted Reno journalist and Sierra ski historian.
  Some of the most famous skiers from America trained with the 10th. Roy Mikkelsen, a national jumping champion with California’s Auburn Ski Club, was an instructor and second lieutenant. Austrian-born Bill Klein, the longtime director of skiing at Sugar Bowl, also became a member of the unit.
  The soldiers trained relentlessly, but weren’t committed to combat until January 1945, when they were ordered to Italy for a dangerous assault on heavily fortified German-held positions high in the Apennine Mountains. The division faced intense fire from German troops situated on top of a steep rock escarpment surrounded by minefields. Other Army units had attempted to scale the mountain, but all had failed. The highly trained men of the 10th Mountain Division proved their mettle by scaling the ridge at night, taking the Germans by surprise. The battle was horrific, with many mountain infantrymen killed, wounded or missing in the first day.
  Combat continued as the mountain troops broke through the German line and spearheaded the drive across the Po River Valley. Indicative of the fierce fighting, nearly 1,000 men of the 10th Mountain Division were killed and 4,100 wounded in the Italian campaign. Their fearless courage was honored as the 10th became one of the most highly decorated divisions in U.S. history.
  Among those 10th Mountain Division soldiers who participated in the Apennines and Po Valley offensive was William “Bill” Bechdolt, a son of Carl Bechdolt, Sr., the owner of the Tahoe Inn in Tahoe City. Bill had joined the Army during his sophomore year at the University of Nevada. After a land mine explosion killed or wounded most of the men in his patrol, Sergeant Bechdolt distinguished himself in the ensuing combat and was later decorated for uncommon valor and bravery with a Bronze Star Medal. Among the men killed was the chaplain who had married Bechdolt to his wife Bernadette shortly before his deployment to Italy.
  Upon his return to Tahoe City, Bill Bechdolt managed and later owned the Tahoe Inn from 1945 to 1974. Over the years he made many community contributions and was also a judge for the ski jumping competition at the 1960 Winter Olympics in Squaw Valley. Bill and Bernadette reared seven children and were married 56 years until his death in 2001.
  – Tahoe historian Mark McLaughlin is a nationally published author and professional speaker. His award-winning books are available at local stores or athttp://www.thestormking.com. You can reach him atmark@thestormking.com.²
  

William F. Bechdolt¹

• Father: William "Billy" Francis Bechdolt¹ b. 18 Oct 1925, d. 20 Feb 2001
• Mother: Bernadette O'Laughlin¹ b. 16 Oct 1924, d. 17 Aug 2005

• Charts: Colfour/Colfer, Connor

• Birth*: William F. Bechdolt was born in 1962.¹
• Death*: He died on 26 September 1962.¹

Josephine Becker¹

• Birth*: Josephine Becker was born at Fulda, Hesse, Germany.^1,2
• Biography*: LEIBACH - Casper J., beloved husband of Josephine B., father of Anna A. and Edward J. Funeral Saturday, March 17, 9:30 a.m. from his late residence 5481 Lakewood av. to St. Ita's church. Interment at Calvary.
  Chicago Daily News, March 16, 1917, page 23.³
  
• Married Name: Her married name was Leibach.³
• Marriage*: She married Casper J. Leibach.³
• Address*: As of March 1917, Josephine Becker and Casper J. Leibach lived at 5431 Lakewood Avenue, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, USA.⁴
• Death*: Josephine Becker died at Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, USA.⁵

Bert G. Beckley^1,2

• Birth*: Bert G. Beckley was born circa 1880.²
• Marriage*: He married Catherine Donegan, daughter of William P. Donegan and Mary Hallaran.^1,3,4
• Census 1930*: Bert G. Beckley appeared on the 1930 census of 7 April 1930 at 1117 Oakdale Avenue, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, USA.
• Burial*: He was buried on 2 November 1957 at Calvary Cemetery, Evanston, Cook County, Illinois, USA. Buried in lot 2, block 22, section U.²

Amy Josephine Beder¹

• Father: Jacob Beder¹
• Mother: Elizabeth (?)¹

• Married Name: Her married name was McKenna.¹
• Marriage*: Amy Josephine Beder married Unknown McKenna.¹
• Address*: As of 1903, Amy Josephine Beder lived at 758 South Kedzie, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, USA.¹
• Burial*: She was buried in 1904 at Forest Home, Forest Park, Cook County, Illinois, USA.¹