Obit: Hedler, Francis Albert "Deacon" #2 (1926 - 2010)

Contact: Dolores Mohr Kenyon

Email: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Hedler, Jarocki, Sierocuk, Woods, Stroinski, Isenberger, Spaete, Bockenfeld, McNamara, Urofsky, Apfelbeck

----Source: Thorp Courier (Thorp, Clark Co., WI.) October 6, 2010

Hedler, Francis Albert "Deacon" (2 September 1926 - 1 October 2010) With Flag

Francis A. "Deacon" Hedler, age 84, of Thorp, passed away on Friday, October 1, 2010, at Our Lady of Victory Hospital, in Stanley.  Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 7, 2010, at St. Bernard-St. Hedwig Catholic Church, in Thorp. Rev. Keith Apfelbeck will officiate and burial will follow in New St. Hedwig’s Catholic Cemetery.  Pallbearers will be Jim Bockenfeld, Travis McNamara, Eric Hedler, Clinton Woods and Jill Urofsky.  Visitation will be held at Thorp Funeral Home, in Thorp, on Wednesday, October 6, 2010, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m., with a 7:00 p.m. rosary service.  Visitation will also be held at Thorp Funeral Home, on Thursday, from 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m.

Francis Albert Hedler was born on September 2, 1926, in the Town of Reseburg, rural Thorp, to Fred and Helen (Jarocki) Hedler.  He was educated at area schools, and graduated from Thorp High School in 1944.  After completing his educations, Deacon enlisted in the U. S. Navy and served until his discharge in 1946.  He was united in marriage to Lillian Sierocuk at St. Hedwig’s Catholic Church, in Thorp, on January 28, 1950.  Deacon raised feeder pigs and worked at the Thorp Post Office from 1946 until his retirement in 1982.  In his later years, he and his wife drove for Ambu-Van of Wausau.

In his spare time, Deacon enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren play sports.  He also enjoyed deer hunting with the gang at the hunting shack, fishing, snowmobiling, camping, gardening and playing cards with his friends.

He was a member of St. Bernard-St. Hedwig Catholic Church, the Thorp American Legion Post #118, where he served as commander for many years.  He also was a member of the Thorp Sportsman’s Club and the Thorp Snowmobile Club.

He his survived by his wife Lillian, "Red", of Thorp; six children: Dennis (Carol) Hedler of Wasilla, AK, Nancy (Tom) Woods of Neillsville, Peggy (Dan) Stroinski of Thorp, Sally Hedler of Sparks, NV, Lynn (Jim) Isenberger of Stanley, and Sue Hedler of Thorp; ten grandchildren: Jill, Eric, Sara, Clinton, Amanda, Amy, Cara, Kelsey, Rachel and Sam; seven great-grandchildren: Hannah, Dalton, Murray, Deacon, Hailee, Skylar and Paige; two brothers: Donald "Jake" (Dolores) Hedler of Colby, and Sylvester "Silver" (Dorothy) Hedler of Minneapolis, MN; one sister, Geraldyne "Sis" (Al) Spaete of Granton; Several nieces, nephews and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers: Wilferd "Willie", Gerald "Buzz" and Clarence.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.cuddiefh.com.