Orville Haszel, age 94, Waupaca, WI died on Thursday, August 21, 2014 at Park Vista Senior Center in Waupaca.
Orville was born in Kewaunee, Wisconsin to George and Bessie (Sidlo) Haszel on June 13, 1920. Orville married Elsie Vergauwen on May 28, 1977, who died on January 31, 1988. The couple resided in Superior, Wisconsin. Orville attended the one room Krok School in West Kewaunee and graduated from Kewaunee High School in 1937 and from the University of Wisconsin at Madison with a degree in Agricultural Engineering in 1950. Orville accepted a position with the U.S. Department of Agriculture which he held until retirement in 1985. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from October 1942 to November 1945 as a radar operator and saw combat in the South Pacific. Orville moved to Waupaca in 1992 and resided at 702 Evans Street until moving to Park Vista Senior Center. He was a member of St. Mary Magdalene Parish and a 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus. Orville was a very devoted husband to his wife Elsie, and a loving and caring father to her four children and 12 grandchildren.
He will be greatly missed by Sister Shaun Vergauwen of Meriden, Connecticut; Francis Vergauwen and his wife Carole of Waupaca, Richard Vergauwen and his wife Barbara of Phoenix, Maryland and Kenneth Vergauwen and his wife Alice of Marshalltown, Iowa. His 12 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren and 8 great-great-grandchildren will greatly miss his loving presence in their lives. Orville is survived by one brother, George of Oshkosh, Wisconsin and one sister, Ellen Grutz of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. He was predeceased by his parents, George and Bessie and six siblings as well as one great- grandchild, Gary. Orville also leaves behind two very special friends, Chuck Moser and Irene Haynes. Orville had many interest and hobbies including hunting, fishing and gardening.
A Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, August 26, 2014 at St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church at 11 a.m. Father Amalrej Roche will officiate. Orville will be buried with his wife Elsie at the convenience of the family in Superior, Wisconsin. The Holly Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in memory of Orville for the new chapel of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist, 405 Allen Avenue, Meriden, Connecticut 06451 The family of Orville wishes to thank the staff at Park Vista Senior Center for their constant love, concern and support and also expresses gratitude to the staff of Theda Care at Home.