Theodore Curless

BROOKLYN-Ted Curless, a lifelong resident of Brooklyn, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2009, at his home after a long illness. Ted was a veteran of World War II, having served as second platoon runner of Company E, 47th Infantry of the Veteran 9th Infantry Division. He served in five campaigns in Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes and Central Europe. Ted was wounded in the Remagen Bridgehead. Among his decorations are the Combat Infantrymans Badge, Purple Heart, Bronze Star with oak leaf cluster, Presidential Unit Citation, and the E.T.O. medal with five bronze battle stars. Ted was a rural mail carrier in Brooklyn for 28 and a half years and a substitute mail carrier prior to his regular time. He retired Feb. 1, 1985, with 43 and a half years of creditable federal service, including his military time of two years and seven months. Ted was a life member of both the 9th Infantry Division Association and the Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge. He was a member of Brooklyn Community United Methodist Church and National Rural Letter Carriers Association. Ted was an avid golfer for many years and acquired four holes-in-one. Ted is survived by a sister, June Parks of Madison; nieces, Karen L. Duffey of Monona, and Marjean Randolph of Colorado; nephews, Gregory Curless of Fitchburg, Douglas Parks of Madison, and David Parks of Fitchburg; and great-nieces and great-nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Theodore Curless Sr. and Mabel (Neath) Curless; a sister, Evelyn Curless Jacobson; and a brother, Palmer Curless. Funeral services will be held at GUNDERSON OREGON FUNERAL HOME, 431 Soden Drive, Oregon, at 2 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 18, 2009, with Pastor Gail Brown officiating. Visitation will be at the funeral home from noon until the time of the service. Burial will be at Mount Hope Cemetery, Brooklyn. The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to Pam Cunniff, a dear neighbor and friend, and all the caregives she organized, Teds HospiceCare team, and Stoughton Home Health for their excellent care and support they provided Ted. This allowed Ted to stay in his home during his last months with tender and loving care of which he certainly appreciated very much Visitation: Visitation will be at the funeral home from noon until the time of the service. Service: Funeral services will be held at GUNDERSON OREGON FUNERAL HOME, 431 Soden Drive, Oregon, at 2 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 18, 2009.