Obit: LaChapelle, Michael Joseph #2 (1946? - 2011)

Contact: Dolores Mohr Kenyon

Email: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: LaChapelle, Arndt, Steele, Soleil, Koehler, Anderson-Bauer

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI.) March 16, 2011

LaChapelle, Michael Joseph (1946? - 7 March 2011) With flag

Michael LaChapelle, 68, of Neillsville died Monday, March 7, 2011, in the Palliative Care Unit of St. Joseph’s Hospital in Marshfield.

Michael Joseph LaChapelle was born in Milwaukee, the son of Hugh and Ruth (Arndt) LaChapelle.  He graduated from Messmer High School in Milwaukee and then enlisted into the United States Navy Feb. 10, 1964.

He was in active duty for over four years and served in the Vietnam War.  March 28, 1968, he was honorably discharged from duty.  When Mike returned home he began working for Hamm’s as a beer distributor; later he worked for Old Style and eventually he went to the (missing words) .

He was united in marriage Feb. 14, 1970, to Bonnie Steele in Okauchee. They lived in Harland for 23 years, where they raised their family. After 23 years with Miller Brewery, Mike retired in 1997 and in early 1998 they moved to Neillsville.  While here he enjoyed working with the Meals-on-Wheels program for the Clark County Department of Aging.

Mike was a member of Calvary Lutheran Church in Neillsville.  He was well-known by friends and family for his very large vegetable gardens, which he enjoyed spending time in.  He enjoyed his dogs, Libby and Spencer, and going to car shows.  Most of all however; he loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife, Bonnie; four children, David LaChapelle of Sussex, Jeffrey (Tina) LaChapelle of San Diego, CA, Karen (Nick) Soleil of Sebastopol, CA, and Steven (Victoria) LaChapelle of Brookfield; four grandchildren, Savion, Elijah, Jaden and Sequoia Soleil, all of Sebastopol, CA; a brother, Joel (Margaret) LaChapelle of Wauwatosa; and a sister, Huette (Rick) Koehler of Sussex.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

A memorial service was held at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 12, at the Calvary Lutheran Church in Neillsville, with visitation at 1 p.m.  Pastor Judith Anderson-Bauer officiated.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Meals-on-Wheels program, in care of Clark County Department of Aging, 517 Court Street, Neillsville, WI 54456 or the Calvary Lutheran Church, 213 Hill Street, Neillsville, WI 54456.

Online condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com.

The Gesche Funeral Home assisted Michael’s family with funeral arrangements.