BLACK EARTH - Paul Vernon Savage, age 78, died unexpectedly on Dec. 28, 2021, at Meriter Hospital. He was born on April 23, 1943, in Janesville, Wis., the son of Marie (Wellnitz) and Durward Savage. He graduated from Wisconsin Dells High School in 1961 and married Sharon Padrutt on Oct. 16, 1965, at St. Barnabas Church in Mazomanie.