Scott R. McLaughlin, age 59, of Arkdale, Wisconsin passed away Thursday, February 22, 2007 at his home surrounded by his family after a four year courageous battle with cancer.
A celebration of life service will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 3, 2007 at the Arkdale Trinity Lutheran Church. Rev. James Steinbrecher and Rev. Richard Sunderlage will officiate. Military honors will be given by the Vietnam Veterans of America Rock River Chapter #236. Friends may call at the church on Saturday from 1 p.m. until the time of service.
Scott was born January 25, 1948 in Janesville, WI to Robert and Eleanor McLaughlin. He met Sonja Jensen in Adams Wisconsin in 1961 when he was 13 years old. He graduated from Craig High School in 1966 and after graduation he went to work at the General Motors Assembly Plant in Janesville. He enlisted in the army in February of 1968 for a three year stay. He graduated from Military Police School in Fort Gordon Georgia. Scott was stationed at Fort Ord California for 3 months until he was transferred to Germany to the 4th Armored Division 404th Military Police Detachment for 26 months. Scott married Sonja on July 7 1968 and Sonja joined Scott in Germany where they were stationed in Bamberg Germany until February of 1971 when Scott was given an Honorable Discharge. Scott began his Civilian Law Enforcement Career in the Village of Lake Delton in March of 1971, he worked there for 5 years and attended the Technical Institute in La Crosse, WI for Police Science at the same time. He was hired by the Adams County Sheriffs Department in May of 1976. He worked for Adams County as a road officer until he retired in September of 2001. After his retirement, he drove school bus for the Adams-Friendship School District. Scott enjoyed traveling with his wife in the United States and visiting their daughter Heidi and husband Rob in Canada. They enjoyed spending time in Gulf Shores, Alabama and walking the beaches collecting sea shells.
Scott enjoyed attending the annual Iola Old Car Show since 1983 with his son Matthew, which was considered "Holy Week" by both. He also enjoyed NASCAR and helping his son race at the local stock car races, collecting old car postcards and collectable toys, driving and showing his 1957 Chevy and camping in his vintage 1958 Friendship Travel Trailer.
Scott was a member of the Vietnam Veterans of America Rock River Chapter #236, Wisconsin County Police Association, Wisconsin Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs Association, Wisconsin Law Enforcement Officers Association, Trinity Lutheran Church in Arkdale, and the Green Bay Packers Shareholders Organization.
Scott was preceded in death by his grandparents, Donald and Crystal McLaughlin and Otto and Emily Klemp both of Janesville, and Great Aunt Hattie of Janesville.
Scott is survived by his wife Sonja of Arkdale, daughter Heidi and husband Rob Levanic of Toronto, Ontario,Canada; a son, Matthew of Friendship, the family dog Shadow, his parents Robert and Eleanor McLaughlin of Janesville, brother Keith (Claudia) McLaughlin of Janesville and brother Neil (Candy) McLaughlin of Janesville and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, other relatives and special friends.
Scott will be remembered by many people for his great sense of humor and his ability to always make people laugh.
I just heard of Scott’s passing. It saddens me because he was one of the nicest people I ever met.
Heidi…so sorry to read of your Dad’s passing. Hope all is well with you and your family….Michele just recently e-mailed the info. Take care, June Gill—Necedah, WI
To the family of Scott McLaughlin,
Sorry to hear of the loss. May God bless. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
I only met Mr. McLaughlin at Heidi’s and Rob’s wedding and he struck me as a fun loving, jovial man who loved to laugh. I only wish that I got to know him more because he was fun to be around. My sincerest condolences to the McLaughlin family.
Sonja, our prayers are with you and and all of Scott’s family.
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.", John 14:2
I WILL MISS YOU MY GOOD FRIEND BUT YOU ARE WITH GOD AND RE WATCHING OVER US. I WILL MISS YOU.
Sonja,Heidi and Matthew, our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Memories are forever.
We are sorry about your loss of Scott. Please accept our condolences.
Sonya, So sorry to hear about Scott. We had such a wonderful visit. He was a wonderful person.
We send our deepest sympathies to you. He was too young to die. Tom has successfully treated prostate cancer this year.
Sonja and family.
I am so very sorry to hear of Scott’s passing.
I will always remember his laughter and his smile.
You are all in my thoughts and forever in my prayers.
Sonja and Family,
We are thinking of you in your time of need. Our prayers are with you.
Dear Sonja, Matt, Heidi and Rob, I know that you know that you have been in my heart and my thoughts these many past weeks. You are a strong and wonderful family and made Scott’s final weeks hold together with love and humor and the solidness of family.
We will keep you in our thoughts.
Sonja,I’ll always remember the times that we had with you two. You have our deepest sympathy. Whenever I think of Scott I’ll hear his great laugh.
Jerry & Cindy Murphy
Our deepest sympathy during this tragic and devastating time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Jerry and Scott were in the same class in high school. I am two years younger and Scott was my first date for the Christmas Formal in high school. He will always be remembered for his sense of humor. You have our deepest sympathy.
The last line of Scott’s obituary says it all- ‘Scott will be remembered by many people for his great sense of humor and his ability to always make people laugh’.
It’s enjoyable to be around a fun, happy, positive person.
Scott had that gift.
Scott was
Aunt Sonja, Heidi, Matthew. Losing Uncle Scott was a loss to us all, but everyone knows he is in a better place now. I hope to still see Everyone at the Iola Car Show to enjoy it in his honor.
Love
Nicholas
Rob I was sadend to hear of your father Inlaws passing yesturday. My deepest condolences to you, Heidi and all of her family.
Heidi & family, my deepest condolences to you and your family on your loss during this tough and difficult time! My heart goes out to you and your family as I know what you are going thru as I went thru this with my grandpa last year. It is not easy,
We extend our heartfelt symphathy to the McLaughlin family.We sure will miss Scotts humor at class reunions and daily memories. Sonja and family you are in our prayers.
It is a privilege and an honor to have been in Scott’s life….we enjoyed him so much and hold him and Sonja, Matt, Heidi and Rob in our hearts. Hope to see you in Gulf Shores!
SONJA YOUR SPECIAL "RAY OF SUNSHINE" WILL BE WATCHING ALWAYS! OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU AND THE FAMILY RAY AND KAREN GROSKINSKY
Sonja, Heidi, Rob, and Matthew- My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. I have so many good memories with your family growing up. He had such a good sense of humor and I can just hear his laugh. I pray God will help you through this difficult time
What a fun man Scott was! Rudy and I used to laugh at Christmastime when he was a road officer as every so often over the scanner came those stupid barking dogs yelping "Jingle Bells". We KNEW Scott was at his car controls and entertaining the entire coun
Sonja and family how sad to hear of your loss. Scott will be missed. Remember all of the special times that you shared.
We were never great friends but always there for each other if needed. I could always count on Scott to do the right thing. I will surley miss Him and I’m a little jealos knowing that he got to heaven before I did. God bless you all.
My condolences to you all. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Sonja, Matt & Heidi:
Scott was a great guy and I will always remember working with him at the S.O. and just stopping by on my way home for a short visit. He will be missed by a lot of people but we will always have great memories of him and his fun out l
Dear Sonja & Family
Our profound sympathy in your loss of Scott. Time heals, but we do not forget the love and compassion he left behind.May you all find peace in his memory.
Some of our most memorable times shared with the McLaughlin family have to include Leo’s and Bay Rest after an action packed evening of racing. We will all miss him, but will REMEMBER Scott’s humor and antics that made him who he truly was. Thanks for the
My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time. I pray that you find comfort and peace. I know that Scott is an angel watching over us all.
Sonja, Scott was always there to smooth the way for Mark Baumel and myself as we would encounter minor conflicts with the law during our youth.The missing 30′ tall buffalo looming over the airport hangar as we tried to hide it before the squad cars pulle
Sonja, Heidi, Rob and Matt,
We were very sorry to hear about Scott’s passing. He was a very nice man and he will be missed.
We were so sad to hear about Scott. Even though Matt didn’t get to meet him, we had great conversations about him on New Year’s Eve with Heidi, Rob, and Matthew. Please let us know if there is anything we can help with.
Sonja, Heidi, Rob and Matthew,
Please share in the comfort in knowing Scott is no longer suffering. Hold each other tight and remember all the memories you share. Be there for each other and know that you have friends who are there for you. God be with you.
Sometimes we can’t find words to express our sorrow. I’m just so happy to have known Scott as he was a a great person
Take heart, my friend, because one day we will live with perfect, heavenly bodies in eternity where there will be no more tears, death, mourning, crying or pain. Bless each of you during this time of sorrow.
Sonja,
Our deepest sympathy to you and your family.
Sincerely,
Lori, Billy, And Macy Armstrong