• The Girls

• The Boys

• Ushers

• Readers

The Girls

Sarah Speakes (Matron of  Honor)
Sarah is Heather’s younger sister so it seems a bit odd to call her a ‘matron.’ Heather was honored to be Sarah’s maid of honor when she married Jim and now gets to return the favor!  They grew up riding ponys together and harassing each other as sister’s do, and have grown up to have a close relationship. Sarah lives in Fayetteville, NC with Jim and the cutest children ever — Oscar, Lucie and Emma. Sarah deserves a medal for all she does in juggling 3 children who are only 18 months apart in age, especially during the times when Jim is deployed. She is an amazing woman who really enjoys photography, having recently started her own photography business.

Jolene Funk (Bridesmaid)
Jolene and Heather first met when Heather’s parents were moving to KY. Jolene's mom is a realtor and was selling Heather’s parents' farm. While the parents stayed in touch, Heather, Jolene and her twin sister Kristy didn't until the girls decided to come to Marquette. There they decided to sell books with Heather and did so for many years.  In fact, the three even lived together for a year.  Jolene has been a great friend to Heather for all these many years. Jolene knows how to make any situation fun and is always willing to help a friend. Heather's dog Laredo has often been a visitor to the Funk house! She is a realtor in Manitowoc and lives in the Mishicot area with her husband Jake, their adopted KY dogs, Denver and Larry, and their kitty, Houston.

Deirdre O’Rielly (Bridesmaid)
Deirdre is also a Marquette grad, but one who did not sell books!  Heather and Deirdre became friends in Cobeen Hall during freshman year. They got along so well that they decided to room together during their sophomore year at MU. They’ve stayed great friends for years and even took a trip to Hawaii together a few years ago. Two single girls in a silver convertible in Maui means good times! Deirdre is someone who knows how to make Heather laugh and knows when to get into a good heated verbal spar with her — which has sometimes made people think they hate each other. Nothing could be further from the truth! Deirdre works in a big building for a very important law firm in downtown Chicago. She is a an incredibly hard worker and they wouldn’t win a case without her!

Michelle Fulcher (Bridesmaid)
Michelle is another friend from bookselling days. Heather and Michelle worked together for a summer back in 1999 and formed an instant love/hate relationship. In fact, Michelle made it her mission to loosen Heather up by trying to push all her buttons. While Heather didn’t appreciate the pickle juice in the ice cube trays, she did enjoy her time with Michelle and they’ve stayed friends ever since. Heather and Michelle do not get to see each other very often, but their cell phone bills are testament to their ability to procrastinate work! Michelle is great at helping Heather keep perspective and her sense of humor. Michelle lives in Evansville, IN with her husband Jake and their two adorable kids, Alexandra and Dawson.

Emma & Lucie Speakes
(Flower Girls, pictured with Grandpa)
Lucie and Emma are the twin daughters of Sarah and Jim. They (along with their brother) are known as the munchkins! Heather is very proud to not only be the girls' aunt, but also their Godmother. She may be biased, but she happens to think that there have never been two cuter girls. You can tell them apart fairly easily if you know that Lucie has blonder hair, loves everyone she meets and can throw an amazing temper tantrum and Emma is taller, often very caught up in her own world and prefers to stick close to Mom or Grandma in unfamiliar situations. At the wedding Emma & Lucie will be carrying pink and yellow roses in memory of their Aunt Michelle, Heather's sister, who passed away on the same day we found out that their mother was pregnant with them.

The Boys

Ivo Baldoni (Best Man)
Ivo is the president of Baldoni Accordions. Mike first met Ivo when he was just six years old and in need of a new microphone for his accordion. More than 21 years later, two accordions — one, of course, Mike's Baldoni American Polka, a complete website overhaul, and many hours spent together discussing business, life, and relationships, Mike and Ivo are the best of friends. Find out more about Baldoni Accordions and the man running the show at www.baldoni.com. Ivo is married to Beverlee and has two grown children, Gina and Anthony.

Paul Corrao (Groomsman)
Paul and Mike have known each other since the first day of freshman year at Dominican High School in Whitefish Bay, WI in 1994. Many a video game battle have been waged between these two friends — John Madden Football and James Bond being among their favorites. For the record, Paul holds a slim margin in Madden wins. Mike, on the other hand, is the hands down leader in Bond victories. Mike and Paul also share a common love of music, with Paul earning his degree in music education. Paul is in the midst of planning a wedding as well. He and Jessica will be married in October 2008.

Tim Erdmann (Groomsman)
Tim and Mike have also known each other since 1994, when Tim was a sophomore at Dominican High School. The two were in Herr Wagner's German I through III together, and then by coincidence attended Cardinal Stritch University together from 1998 through 2001. In recent years, Mike and Tim have been known to get together for a round of golf or a trip to the golf dome when the weather is less than golf friendly. Tim has one of those jobs that no one really understands except for him, but he is really good at it. Tim has special talents as a chef when not working his corporate job.

Kyle  Freund (Groomsman, pictured with Mike's accordion)
Kyle and Mike first met in 1998 during Mike's first year of college at Cardinal Stritch. The two quickly became friends when the topic of discussion turned to polka, and Mike discovered that Kyle actually owned a few polka albums. Through the years, Mike and Kyle have teamed up for HIVE 90.9 FM radio functions, discussed the trials and tribulations of their relationships, and will soon team up on a song Kyle wrote during his Peace Corps experience in Guatemala. After his two years in Guatemala, Kyle spent time traveling in South America. He is a real world traveler! Kyle has recently taken on a new job in New Mexico and is Mike's only interstate groomsman.

Oscar Speakes (Ring Bearer)
Oscar is the oldest of the 3 munchkins and is Heather’s very favorite nephew. He is boy of many interests including cars, planes, trains, Grandpa’s barn, and the accordion. Mike and Heather gave him a toy one (compliments of Baldoni Accordions) for Christmas and he loves it. In fact, he even slept with it on his headboard for quiet a while. Mike is hopeful that he is an aspiring accordion player!

Ushers

Chris Fugman
Chris and Heather first met when she worked at the Annual Fund at Marquette and he was her supervisor. He invited to hear about summer work with The Southwestern Company and the rest is history. After selling books and recruiting teams together for 8 years they couldn’t help but become good friends — well, that or kill each other! Chris is responsible for connecting all the people in the wedding party who sold books and the friendships that then came out of that. Chris still works with SW and impacts college students’ lives everyday. He is married to Christina and they have an adorable son, Luke. They have been great friends to Heather and now Mike, for years.

Jim Speakes
Jim is Sarah’s husband and the dad of the munckins. Heather has known since he and Sarah dated back in high school.  He proudly serves his country as a Navigator in the Air Force. When he’s not flying C-130s he flies his own radio controlled planes. Jim and Mike have bonded over their shared interest in golf. In fact, if Jim, Mike and Chuck (Heather’s Dad) all lived in the same state, the women in their lives would be true golf widows! Jim lives in Fayetteville, NC with Sarah, Oscar, Lucie, and Emma.

David Kaiser
Kaiser and Heather first got to know each other at Marquette while preparing to sell books for the summer of 1996. They’ve stayed friends over the years, and Mike and Kaiser have hit it off. Mike has been able to help Kaiser with his website development needs and Kaiser was able to help Mike pull off his proposal to Heather! David is a real estate developer and is currently working on Greenwich Row if you need a condominium. David is married to Judy Kaiser and they are proud puppy parents to Schafer and Madailein.

Readers

Jackie Sullivan
Jackie and Heather met in Jolene and Kristy’s parents' house. Heather was running an interview to explain selling books and Jackie and her sister Krista came out in a snowstorm to hear about it. Heather and Jackie sold books together for years and became great friends. Jackie and Heather have been through a lot together — living together for a short time and last fall Jackie even married Heather’s cousin, Ryan. In a very short time they've gone from being single girls in Milwaukee together to being married and living way too far apart! Jackie has her doctorate in Physical Therapy and is mommy to Ellis, the cat. Jackie and Ryan live in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Kathy Lenci (pictured with Gretchen Wilson)
Kathy has known Heather since grade school where they were one grade apart. They went to the same church, grade school, jr. high, and high school. Heather went away to college and they lost touch, but were reunited when Kathy met and began dating Kevin Lenci. Kevin and Heather knew each other from selling books together at Marquette. It has been great to get to know each other again as adults and share an occasional girls’ night out!  Kathy and Kevin are now married and have a very talkative 2 year old, Colman, who is joined by his baby sister, Anika. 

Greg Drust
Greg Drust is one of the polka world's most renowned and respected disc jockeys, and has been a friend of Mike's since the mid-90's when Mike's band was in its beginnings. Greg is best known for his record collection, which in nearing the 1,000,000 mark — not bad for your average-size Milwaukee, WI house! Mike and Greg share similar views regarding the future of polka music, and are co-hosts of Polka Parade on AM1340 WJYI. You can hear Greg on www.247polkaheaven.com.