Surnames: Covell, Woelffer, Scrivner, Specht, Drescher, Vandeberg, Wajda, Lind, Wojcik, Schulz, Telrosgates, Nagle, Knudson, Barr, Klinke

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI.) June 11, 2008

Covell, William Victor (27 December 1940 - 5 June 2008)

WILLIAM VICTOR COVELL

With Flag

William Covell, 67, Santa Rosa Beach, FL, died Thursday, June 5, 2008, at his residence.

William Victor Covell was born December 27, 1940, in Neillsville to Allen and Marie (Woelffer) Covell. He attended school in Neillsville through his sophomore year. The family then moved to Detroit Lakes, MN, where he graduated in 1959. That fall he enlisted in the U. S. Navy with basic training at Great Lakes Naval Base. Bill served on the U. S. S. Stormes as a gunner, and while aboard ship he retrieved the space capsule that carried the monkey Enos, the first chimp to orbit the earth in 1961. This was in the early stages of the Space Program. Bill retired from the Navy after serving 23 ½ years as an E-8 senior chief.

Bill married Barbara Scrivner in 1971, while he was stationed in Pueblo, CO. Barbara passed away October 14, 2003. He then married Donna Specht of Mequon January 10, 2004.

He was a member of the Wallace-Hinker American Legion Post #238 in Greenwood and the Community Church of Santa Rosa Beach, FL. Bill was also town chairman of the Town of Foster.

Bill is survived by his wife, Donna; a sister, Charlotte Drescher of Neillsville; nephews and nieces, James Drescher of Neillsville, Paul (Annette) Drescher of Neillsville, Mary (Jim) Vandeberg of Granton and Karyn (Joe) Wajda of Altoona; a great-nephew, Robert J. Wajda; an aunt, Jane (Woelffer) Lind of Omaha, NE; several cousins; step-children, Gregg Wojcik of Alaska, Renee (Edward) Schulz and Denise (Steve) Telrosgates of Milwaukee; and five step-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother-in-law, Robert Drescher.

Funeral services for Bill will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 14, 2008, at the Gesche Funeral Home in Neillsville. Pastor Ralph Nagle will officiate. Music will be provided by Pat Knudson, organist. Interment will be in the Neillsville City Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday at the Gesche Funeral Home.

Casket bearers are James Drescher, Paul Drescher, Jim Vandeberg, Joe Wajda, James Barr and Ronald Klinke.

The Gesche Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.