Obituary for Burton "Red" Wilcox
Madison
Burton
Burton "Red" Wilcox, age 78, died peacefully with family at his side at the Don and Marilyn Anderson Hospice Center on Sunday, Sept. 12, 2010.
Red was born June 16, 1932, in Tunnel City to parents Frank and Ada (Davis) Wilcox. Following his return from service with the 187th U.S. Army - Regimental Combat Team in Korea, he ran Wilcox Foods, a successful neighborhood market at the corner of Mound and Orchard streets in Madison. It was there that many local residents and UW students alike experienced his warmth, kindness and generosity. Red was also known for his many years of service to the St. James Catholic Church in his neighborhood.
Red married Mary Endres in May 1954 who died shortly after giving birth to his first daughter, Ellen Wilcox (Scottsdale, Ariz.) Red married Loretta Bomkamp on May 18, 1957, with whom he spent the rest of his 53 years.
Red is further survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Diane and Thomas Rundle of Madison; grandchildren, Nicholas Rundle (fiancee, Angela Davis) of San Jose, Calif., Kristen Rundle of Newark, Calif., Bradley Rundle of Madison, and Tyler Wilcox of Scottsdale, Ariz. He is also survived by sisters, Elaine Demars of Portage, Lorraine Hanson of Madison, and Leila (Saxby) Collander of Middleton; and in-laws, Lucy and Sam Troia, Paul and Diane Bomkamp, Agnes Pogreba, Ken and Dorthy Bomkamp, Jim and Marge Roh, and Jean Wilcox.
Red was preceded in death by his best friend, Pete Annen; big brother, "Rod" Wilcox; brother-in-law and hunting pal, Earl Demars; and in-laws, Joe Ryan, Al Pogreba, Hank Endres, Doug Hanson, Alex Collender, Warren and Maryanne (Ryan) Blabaum, Gene Tisdale, Alice (Tisdale) and Harry Shuette.
Other than his family, Red's true love was his Richland County farm, which he and Loretta bought from Loretta's parents and dairy farmers Otto and Helen Bomkamp. Red spent his retirement years working in the woods returning cornfields to forest, planting and caring for black walnut trees. Red was an avid outdoorsman and taught many of his numerous nieces and nephews how to hunt and respect the land and all of its wildlife.
A memorial service for Red will be held at ST. JOHNS CATHOLIC CHURCH in Muscoda on Friday, Sept. 17, 2010, at noon with a visitation one hour prior. The Picha Funeral Home in Hillsboro assisted the family. For online information, www.pichafuneralhomes.com.
