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Edward Dobbratz

1924 - 2008

Edward J. Dobbratz, 84, of Watertown, passed away Sunday evening, Oct. 19, 2008, at Clearview Nursing Home in Juneau.

He was born on Aug. 9, 1924, in Watertown, son of Gerhard and Lily (Loeffler) Dobbratz. Ed was a 1942 graduate of Watertown Senior High School. He attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, Ind., and the University of Illinois in Champaign, Ill. Ed was a veteran of World War II, serving with the United States Air Force. He earned the rank of captain. On June 4, 1947, he married the former Janet Forbes Ellington in Milwaukee.

Ed was an avid sports fan and had been quarterback for the Watertown High School football team. He was a National Junior Speed Skating Champion. Ed and his brothers, Herman and Fred, won numerous speed skating awards. Ed loved golf, tennis and boating. He owned and operated the Watertown Table Slide until 1985. He was a member of First Congregational United Church of Christ in Watertown. Ed was a member of the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity and a former director of the M&I Bank in Watertown. He was also a member of the Watertown Elks Lodge No. 666 and Watertown American Legion Post No. 189.

Ed is survived by his wife, Janet of Watertown; one daughter, Lisa Dobbratz; a sister, Marie Kleinsteiber of Chelsea, Mich.; two brothers, Fred (Ruth) Dobbratz of Madison and Ray (Marie) Dobbratz of Watertown; and a sister-in-law, Ginny Dobbratz of Watertown. He is further survived by nieces, nephews other relatives and friends.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents and also a brother, Herman on March 6, 1986.

Funeral services will be held on Friday at 11 a.m. at the Hafemeister Funeral Home in Watertown with the Rev. Deborah Howland of First Congregational United Church of Christ officiating. Burial with military rites conducted by the American Legion Post No. 189 will be held in Oak Hill cemetery, Watertown.

Relatives and friends may call at the Hafemeister Funeral Home on Friday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service.

Memorials, if desired, may be directed to First Congregational United Church of Christ, the Alzheimer's Foundation, Salvation Army or the charity of one's choice.

Hafemeister Funeral Home 611 E. Main St. Watertown