Obit: Felser, Dwayne Joseph (1922 - 2006)

Contact:  Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon

Surnames: Felser, Dudei, Erfurth, Sherman, Burns, Huth, Dorst, Garbisch, Smiley

----Sources: Clark County Press (Neillsville, WI) March 22, 2006

Felser, Dwayne Joseph (July 15, 1922 - March 18, 2006)

Dwayne Joseph Felser, age 83, passed to the next life early Saturday morning, March 18, 2006 at his home in Neillsville, with his loving wife, Annette at his side. They would have celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary on March 23, 2006.

Dwayne was born July 15, 1922 in Neillsville, to Emma (Dudei) and Joseph Felser. He graduated from Neillsville High in 1940, and soon enlisted in the National Guard for WWII in the Pacific. Dwayne served two-years in the Pacific as a Technical Sergeant. He met Annette Erfurth while at Fort Sam Houston Hospital in San Antonio, after a bout of malaria. They married March 23, 1945 and he and Annette came to Neillsville, where Dwayne lived the rest of his life, with the exception of May 1959—September 1960 when they and their three young children lived in San Antonio.

During high school Dwayne worked at the Sweet Shop making ice cream, and at Thayer’s Photo shop. Dwayne retained a love for photography, and took and developed many pictures in his own dark room, and much later in life obtained a digital camera and enjoyed printing his own photos on his computer.

After discharge from service, Dwayne worked at Svetlik’s Ford Garage in the Parts Dept. In 1956, he went into business with Clifford Gross, and they formed Fel-Gross Chevrolet, Inc. In 1957, Dwayne left that business and purchased the Cities Service Gas Station, which he operated until May 1959. He worked long hours, and his wife would often walk with their three young children across town to bring Dwayne his supper there. From May1959—September 1960 he worked at Hemphill Food in San Antonio, Texas in Parts. In September 1960 the family returned to Neillsville and once again he worked at Svetlik Ford. In May 1967 he began working at Gross Chevrolet as Auto Technician, and continued until he became Clark County Veteran Service Officer in August of 1973. Dwayne took very seriously his commitment to assisting Veterans and their widows. He retired from this position in December 1984.

Retirement gave Dwayne more time to work in his extensive woodworking shop, where he made beautiful clocks and furniture, as well as bird feeders/houses and toys. It also gave him time to be involved in his community. Dwayne was elected to the Clark County Board of Supervisors, serving April 1986—April 1996, advocating for the citizens of Clark County. He served on the Neillsville City Parks and Recreation Board, was a Life Member of VFW Post 2241, a Life Member of the local American Legion, member of County Veterans Service Officers Association of Wisconsin and a member of the United Church of Christ.

Dwayne will be sadly missed by his beloved wife, Annette; children, Joseph Dwayne (Margie) Felser, of Neillsville; daughters, Kathleen J. (Christopher) Sherman, and Linda A Burns, both of Eau Claire; grandchildren, Candace J. Felser, Sarah C. Felser, Daniel J. Burns, Ryan M. Burns and Jordan D. Sherman; great-grandchildren, Victoria Huth and Tanner Huth; and his favorite nephew, Jim Dorst, of California.

He was preceded in death by his two brothers, Eddie and Alvin Garbisch; parents, Joseph Felser and Emma Dudei Felser; sister, Elva Garbisch Dorst Smiley.

A Memorial Service for Dwayne will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, March 22, at the Gesche Funeral Home in Neillsville, Wis. Pastor Mark Schwinn will officiate. Music will be provided by Eileen Zank, organist and Corrine Armitage, soloist. Interment will be in the Neillsville City Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9 until 11 a.m., Wednesday at the Gesche Funeral Home.

Honorary Casket Bearers are his grandchildren.

The Gesche Funeral Home is assisting Dwayne’s family with funeral arrangements.