Gregory C. Van Asten, 86, Krakow, passed away peacefully on Friday, Dec. 27, 2013, at Good Shepherd Nursing Home in Seymour. The son of Simon and Marie (Bushmaker) Van Asten was born on Nov. 27, 1927. He was a 1946 graduate of Rudolph High School. On May 29, 1948, Greg was united in marriage with his high school sweetheart, Janet Kempen. At that time they both worked at Nekoosa Paper Company. In 1949 he went into business with his father.

Bobbie Jo Ellen Boyd, 28, passed away Sunday, Dec. 29, 2013, in Shawano. Born on Feb. 1, 1985, in Shawano, she was the daughter of Robert L. and Tammy L. (Kellogg) Boyd. Bobbie Jo lived her entire life in the Shawano and Keshena areas, where she worked as a CNA.

Agnes A. Schwerke, 75, of Shawano, passed away Monday, Dec. 30, 2013, at her home surrounded by her loving family. Born on Oct. 11, 1938, in Wiesbaden, Germany, she was the daughter of the late Johann and Frieda Busch. In 1957 she was married to Jerome Fischer, and together the couple had five children. Agnes was a very outgoing, fun person who enjoyed the company of young people. She also enjoyed traveling and visiting area casinos.

John Leo Samp, 63, of Menasha, passed away on Christmas Eve surrounded by the love of his family. He was born on March 20, 1950, in Shawano, son of the late Leo and Angeline (Russell) Samp. On March 29, 1969, John was united in marriage to Vickie Krutz.

Delores J. Johnson, 78, died peacefully, Saturday, Dec. 28, 2013, surrounded by family and friends after a courageous 14-month battle with cancer. The daughter of the late Gust and Mary Demboski was born on May 9, 1935, in Iron River, Mich. She was a 1953 graduate of West Iron County High School in Iron River. After graduation, she moved to Milwaukee to further her education. On June 23, 1956, she married Edward Johnson.

The Lena Knights of Columbus chose the Richard and Dorothy Kloes family, of rural Oconto, as the council’s Family of the Month for December. The Kloes are parents of seven children; one daughter is deceased. They also have 20 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Richard and Dorothy are actively involved with both church and community organizations.

Christmas wreaths add a festive look to the fences around the new softball field at Oconto Falls High School. Community members purchased the wreaths in a fundraiser sponsored by the school’s athletic department and Panther Pride.

Victor “Vic” E. Bast, 91, Oconto Falls, died Monday afternoon, Dec. 23, 2013, at home, surrounded by his loving family. The only son of four children, he was born Sept. 17, 1922, near Gillett to William and Ruth (Flick) Bast. Vic grew up in the Oconto Falls area, where he attended public schools, graduating high school with the Class of 1938.

Despite all the negative stuff we see on TV and in the papers, I am still convinced of the inherent goodness of people. I see too many examples of the willingness of people to help others to not believe in good Samaritans. We use the term “good Samaritan” colloquially to mean someone who helps a person in need.