June Elizabeth Whitfield

June E. Whitfield, 89, of Neillsville, WI lost a long and courageous battle with cancer on Monday, September 11, 2017 at the Onalaska Care Center in Onalaska, WI. June Elizabeth Cartinios was born in Milwaukee Wisconsin on June 6th 1928.  June, along with her seven brothers and sisters, grew up in a home filled with love and a deep devotion to God. The strong love and religious faith they shared helped them get through the great Depression of the 1930’s. This also helped carry them through the fear and loneliness when her brothers were overseas in World War II.        During World War II June developed a deep sense of patriotism. Her heart truly went out to all of those, whom lost sons on the battlefield. She also respected those soldiers who came home with the physical, emotional and mental scars of war. June loved America. She appreciated the sacrifice which the soldiers made to give us all the freedom which we are privileged and blessed with. She attended St Francis Grade School. She was then employed by the Gladness Bakery of Milwaukee, from 1944 to 1951. In 1949, she married Leander Otzelberger. While living in Milwaukee they had 2 sons, Thomas and Michael. They were divorced in 1971. In 1976, she moved to Neillsville Wisconsin and married Clarence Whitfield. They lived on a dairy farm until 1992. They then moved into town and lived at O’Neill Terrace Apartments. Clarence passed away in 2001 and she continued living there. One of June’s greatest loves was to help others in need whether it was a family, friends, neighbors or a stranger. She was always willing to help out. She did a lot of volunteer work for the Neillsville Memorial Medical Hospital Auxiliary. She loved visiting with the patients at the Nursing home and doing what she could to brighten their day. While doing volunteer work she made a lot of friends and loved them all very deeply. June was very hard working and loved being outdoors. She was especially fond of autumn. She really liked the change in colors and all of the fresh smells of harvest time. She loved doing crafts and making things for others to hang on their doors or do whatever they wanted with. She loved to give and receive cards for all holidays and special occasions. She always felt it was important to remind her family and friends how much she loved and cared for them. June loved writing and reading poetry. She has written hundreds of poems. Most of them were simple and spoken with love, straight from her heart. A lot of her poems were short prayers. The poem she was most proud of was “Bring Them Home” she wrote this poem during the Gulf War, for our soldiers fighting in the desert. This poem was put into the Library of Congress. June will be deeply missed by her family and friends. For all of us who had the privilege of sharing our lives with her… we know that Heaven now has a new Angel.       June is survived by sons; Thomas (Jackie) Otzelberger of Oak Creek, WI and Michael (Chris) Otzelberger of Onalaska, WI, grandsons; Thomas John “T.J.” (Alison) Otzelberger of Brookings, SD and Joe Otzelberger of Waterford, WI and two great grandchildren; Jayce and Olivia. She was preceded in death by her husbands, and siblings; Thomas, George, Bob, William, Marion, Lucille and Ione. A Memorial Service will be held at 12:00 p.m., Friday, September 15, 2017 at the Gesche Funeral Home in Neillsville, WI. Pastor Douglas Bjerke will officiate. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Friday morning at the Gesche Funeral Home prior to the service. Inurnment will be in Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Milwaukee, WI at a later date.In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to The HighGround Veteran's Memorial, W7031 Ridge Rd., Neillsville, WI  54456. Online Condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com.  The Gesche Funeral Home is assisting June’s family with Funeral arrangements.