Wilbert Van Galen

Wilbert Van Galen, age 85 of Waupun, died peacefully on Sat. Jan. 14, at MeriterHospitalin Madisonfollowing a brief illness.

A service to celebrate Bill’s life will be held at 2 p.m.on Tues. Jan. 17 at Kohls Community Funeral Home, 405 W. Main St.Waupun with Rev. Calvin Vande Zande officiating. Burial will follow at ForestMoundCemeterywith military honors provided by American Legion Post 210 Honor Guard.

Bill’s family will receive relatives and friends on Tues. at the funeral home beginning at 1 p.m.until the time of service.

Bill was born on August 2, 1926 in the Town of Alto, Fond du Lac County, WI, a son of William and Tiene (Vande Slunt) Van Galen. He attended the one room SloperSchoolthrough the 8th grade under the leadership of School Master Patrina. As a young man, Bill helped out on the family farm until he entered into the U. S. Naval Service during World War II, serving in the Pacific Theater. He then returned to farming until 1952, when he delivered milk for Verifine Dairy in Fond du Lac. On March 30, 1950, he was united in marriage to Helen Czoschke at Emmanuel Reformed Church, where he has been a member ever since. After driving milk truck for 12 years, Bill worked for Bake-Rite Bakery where he delivered bread. Then he began employment with the WaupunSchool Districtas a custodian for ten years. Bill was a loving, social man; good-hearted and friendly. There were no strangers to him, he enjoyed conversing with everyone. In later years Bill looked forward to his afternoon coffee time with friends at the Beaver Dam McDonalds on Hwy. 33 with friends, catching up on current news and reminiscing. For recreation, Bill enjoyed golf and had a membership at Rock River Country Club and Camelot. Traveling and taking vacations were always enjoyed with the family, especially renting a cottage near Tomahawk, WI where they fished and relaxed.

Bill will be missed and is lovingly survived by: two daughters, Susan (John) Markert, Denver, CO, Janet (Jeff) Miller, Decatur, IL, and a son Dan (Emilie) Van Galen, Mt. Horeb, WI, five grandchildren; Megan (Jeremy) Cook, Matthew Miller, Brock Miller, Ashley Van Galen, and Ellen Van Galen. Also surviving are siblings: Bertha Towne, Beaver Dam, Alice (Al) Van Loo, Waupun, Harriet (Wes) Giebink, Rolla, MO, Theodore (Beverly) Van Galen, Cumming, Georgia, and a sister-in-law, Gertrude Van Galen, Apache Junction, AZ, many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by: his parents, Helen, his wife of 48 years, a sister, Henrietta and her husband Casey Aalsma, two brothers; Garrit Van Galen, Delmar and his wife Dorothy Van Galen, and a brother-in-law, Charles Towne.

Memorials may be directed to Emmanuel Reformed Church, 400 West Brown Street, WaupunWI 53963

Kohls Community Funeral Home, Waupun is serving the family.