Obit: Hendzel, Walter J. (1921 - 2004)
Contact:  Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon

Surnames: Hendzel, Stzrelec, Juskiewicz, Sromek, Kliscz, Schertler

----Sources: Thorp Courier (Thorp, Clark County, WI.) December 8, 2004

Hendzel, Walter J. (December 8, 1921 - December 3, 2004)

Walter J. Hendzel, age 82, of the Town of Roosevelt, died at his home on Friday, December 3, 2004. Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, December 6, 2004, at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, in Lublin, with Fr. John Long officiating. Grandsons served as pallbearers. Visitation was held at Thorp Funeral Home on Sunday, December 5, 2004, from 4-8 p.m. with a 7:30 Rosary service, and at the church, on Monday, from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service.

Walter J. Hendzel was born on December 8, 1921, in Lublin, WI, to Albert and Catherine (Stzrelec) Hendzel. He was raised on the family farm and attended Lublin School. Walter entered the U. S. Army on March 3, 1943 and served in Germany during WWII, where he was held as a Prisoner of War. While serving, he was a recipient of the Purple Heart. He was united in marriage to Jean Juskiewicz on November 3, 1945.

They lived and farmed in the Town of Roosevelt from 1945 to 1978. Walter served as Town Chairman for several years and worked for Green Thumb. He was a member of St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, Abramowicz-Kacmarczyk-Cwikla Post 547 of Lublin, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Ex-Prisoners of War, Disabled American Veterans and the Roosevelt Rod and Gun Club.

Walter enjoyed deer hunting, woodworking, and being with his family and friends. He is survived by his wife, Jean, of Lublin; two sons: Walter Jr. (Marie) of Chicago; Edward (Rachel) of Gilman; four daughters: Jean (Greg) Sromek of Neillsville; Barb Hendzel and Sandy of Thorp; Theresa (Ray) Kliscz of Lublin; Laurie (Tom) Schertler of Chicago; eleven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Ted; and seven sisters: Helen, Mary, Julia, Hattie, Sophie, Josie, and Belle.