Batha, Carl Allan

Carl Allan Batha, age 78, of Platteville, Wisconsin, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, August 29, 2025, at Southwest Hospital.

He was born on February 27, 1947, in East St. Louis, Illinois, the son of Anthony and Mary (Nosil) Batha. On June 21, 1970, Carl married Jeanne Arnold in Manchester, Missouri, and together they shared 55 years of marriage.

Carl attended Southeast Missouri State University on a football scholarship and earned his master’s degree from the University of Missouri. He dedicated his career to wildlife conservation, serving as a wildlife biologist with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for 36 years, as well as a conservation warden. Carl was instrumental in reintroducing the wild turkey to Wisconsin in the early 1970s and, later in his career, collaborated with colleagues to develop a hunter education program for UW–Madison wildlife biology students. Carl also had a unique gift for securing private land for public recreation, leaving a lasting legacy for generations of Wisconsin outdoor enthusiasts.

A lifelong outdoorsman, Carl was enthusiastic about hunting, cooking wild game, mushroom foraging, camping, ammunition reloading, and mentoring new hunters. He was a longtime hunter safety instructor and an active supporter of organizations including Pheasants Forever, the National Wild Turkey Federation, the Ruffed Grouse Society, the Izaak Walton League, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, and the Grant County Outdoor Sports Alliance. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Lancaster, WI.

Carl was known for his humility and servant leadership. Though he never sought recognition, Carl earned numerous accolades, but more importantly, the respect and admiration of all who knew him through his dedication, integrity, and unconditional support of others, whether colleagues, neighbors, or his family. He found his greatest joy in his wife, children, and grandchildren, and extended that same love and devotion to his wider circle of friends. His kindness and generosity live on as he continues to give through the gift of tissue donation.

Carl is survived by his wife, Jeanne; daughters Jennifer (David) Bormett of McFarland, WI and Janelle (Sean) Chapman of Lexington, KY; his siblings Barbara Channer and Mary Louise (Urban) Baum; his sister-in-law Linda Ingram; his grandchildren Jacob, Tyler, and Luke Chapman, Ian and Sofia Bormett; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Carl would not want us to forget to mention his beloved Brittanies, Meg and Reggie.  

He was preceded in death by his parents, Anthony and Mary, his twin brother, Jerry and brothers-in-law Paulus Channer and Michael Ingram.

Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 13, 2025 at GORGEN-McGINLEY & AYERS FUNERAL HOME, 400 East Grace Street, Dodgeville, Wisconsin with a short service to follow at 2:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Pastor Clara Thompson will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Grant County Outdoor Sports Alliance c/o Richard DeWithe at 1121 St. Charles Road, Cassville, WI 53806 to support youth and family outdoor education.

Gorgen-McGinley & Ayers 

Funeral Home

www.gorgenfh.com