WILLIAM P. ERPENBACH
WILLIAM P. ERPENBACH
William P. Erpenbach, 96, of Neillsville, died Tuesday, June 4, 2024, at home.
William Peter Erpenbach was born March 24, 1928, in Riplinger, WI, (that’s what his mother told him, and she would know because she was there) the son of Anton and Margaret (Yndogliato) Erpenbach. He attended Riverside Country School and graduated eighth grade from St. Mary Parochial School. He attended high school for one year and decided that was enough and went to work at B&F Machine Shop. He enlisted into the Army Air Corp at age 17 and was trained as one of the first jet airplane mechanics. While in the service, he played baseball for the Phoenix Thunderbirds, a Giants MLB organization. He served from 1946 until his honorable discharge in 1948.
On Feb. 20, 1950, he was united in marriage to Cecelia M. Fitzsimmons in Stanley. They raised five children and for the next 44 years, he worked at several area car dealerships, (Urbans, Bethke, Svetlik, Fel-Gross, Gross Motors) and retired from Gross Motors as the service manager in 1994. He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Neillsville and the American Legion Post 73.
He was fortunate to meet Dorothy Andregg who shared the last 12 years of his life. Together, they did all the things that Bill loved like fishing, playing cards, polka dancing and having breakfast with all of their friends. He lived a good life and lived it to the fullest. Wherever the action was, that’s where he wanted to be. He never met a stranger or forgot a face and he always had a smile for everyone.
He is survived by his longtime friend, Dorothy Andregg; his four children, Sylvia (John) Skallerup of Muskegon, MI, Paul (Natalie) Erpenbach of Neillsville, James Erpenbach and John (Mary) Erpenbach both of DeForest, WI. He is also survived by seven grandchildren, Anne Skallerup, James (Amanda) Skallerup, Erin (Jon) Balazs, Denise (Jeremy) Becker, Holly Erpenbach and Emily and Ashlyn Erpenbach; and one great-grandchild, Jocelyn Skallerup. He is further survived by sisters-in-law, Delores Fitzsimmons and Mary Fitzsimmons; nieces, nephews and friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Cecelia in 2012; son William (2014); his parents; and siblings Martha (John) Bergemann and Donald (Karen) Erpenbach; his in-laws Jeannette (Howard) Bourget, John (Jeanette) Fitzsimmons, Florence (Hubert) Giles, Leo Fitzsimmons, Hubert (Bernice) Fitzsimmons, Ken (Gloria) Fitzsimmons, Betty (Andy) Mathiason, Otto Fitzsimmons, Clarence Fitzsimmons and Mary (Harry) Zimmerman.
Serving as casketbearers for William will be Lucas Bergemann, Jerry Gross, Wayne Gross, Jon Hemp, Jason Koepp and David Zukowski.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held for William at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, June 8, 2024, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Neillsville, WI. Rev. Greg Michaud was the celebrant. Providing music was St. Mary’s organist and choir. Visitation was held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, June 7, 2024, at Gesche Funeral Home, 4 S Grand Ave, Neillsville WI, and from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., prior to the service on Saturday June 8, 2024, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Interment will be in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery.
Online condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com.
Gesche Funeral Home and Cremation Service is assisting Bill’s family with funeral arrangements.