Obit: Mech, Vernon #2 (1922 -
2013)
Contact: Audrey Roedl
Email:
audrey@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Mech, Kraut, Buker, Hester
----Source: The Loyal TRG
(Loyal, Clark County, WI) 08 May 2013
Mech, Vernon (03 July 1922-28 April
2013)
Vernon T. Mech, 90, Greenwood, passed away on Sunday, April 28,
2013, at Ministry Saint Joseph’s Hospital, Marshfield. A celebration of life
will be held at a later date.
Born in Bonduel on July 3, 1922, to
Theodore and Amanda (Kraut) Mech. Vernon was one of four children. After
purchasing the Greenwood Dairy in 1929, the Mech family moved to Greenwood. That
year he met a young girl named Elaine Buker; she became the love of his life.
Vernon and Elaine were married on May 21, 1943, in Madison. They were married
for more than 60 years before Elaine passed away in 2003. The couple were 1940
graduates of Greenwood High School, where Vernon lettered in multiple sports
while Elaine cheered him on as a varsity cheerleader. At graduation, Vernon
earned the citizenship key given by the school to the outstanding senior boy. He
attended UW-Whitewater and Elaine attended UW Madison. While at Whitewater,
Vernon led two division championship football teams and was r the only Freshman
who played both collegiate football and basketball. He also was a member of the
Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity. After completion of his sophomore year in college,
Vernon returned to Greenwood to help his dad in the cheese factory. Because he
was a business major, with a minor in physical education, he coached football
and basketball for Greenwood High school. Three of his players were Bob Mech,
Earl Caliebe and Dick Warner. During his tenure as coach, his team won the
district tournament basketball championship, the school’s first championship
since 1926. In 1944, Vernon enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served his country
from 1944-46 while Elaine taught school in Humburd, Spencer and Withee.
Returning from the services in 1946, Vernon sold vacuum cleaners and worked for
the Blue Moon cheese factory as a field man, starting its first quality control
program. He also enjoyed playing semi-pro baseball with Kidd’s kids during that
time. Vernon and Elaine purchased the North Star Cheese Factory outside Loyal in
1948, working as a blue ribbon-winning cheese maker until 1960, when they sold
the operation to Clem Esselman. With their family savings, Vernon and Elaine
purchased majority shares of the Farmers and Merchants Bank in Greenwood. Vernon
started his career as a banker on March 17, 1960, and retired after 32 years on
March 20, 1992. During that time the bank grew in assets from $3.3 million to 29
million. Vernon served as a Wisconsin Banking Group One officer and president
during the Group One 75th anniversary. Those who knew Vernon knew about his love
for the Packers and the outdoors. He took his dream hunting trip to the Yukon
Territory in 1966. Accompanied by his dear friends Doc Olson, Harry Liebzelt and
Dick Van Gordon, he brought home a moose, caribou and Dall ram along with many
pictures, stories and memories. He also hunted elk in Wyoming and Montana and
pheasants in South Dakota. He loved his land west of Greenwood, where he built
his pond in 1971. Vernon spent many hours taking care of his woods, enjoying
Wisconsin’s natural beauty and fishing and hunting with friends and family.
Vernon was loved and respected by many and known for his gentle, kind spirit. He
was a man who deeply loved his family. He encouraged and supported his children
in their academic and extra curricular activities, never missing an event during
their grade school and high school years. In his later years, nothing pleased
him more than dinner with the family at Fannies Supper Club.
He will be
dearly missed by his children, Vicki (Dick) Mech Hester and Mike (Tina) Mech;
three grandchildren, Stacey, Bryan (Brittany) amd Jenny (Jose); one
great-granddaughter, Addison Grace; a brother, Bob (Ethel) Mech and their
children, Cathy, Karen, Russ and Rob; nieces and Nephews on the Mech side,
including Helen Seipel and Bill Mech; and nieces and nephews on the Buker side,
including Bonnie, Connie, Lee. Pat, Bob, Tom and Judy.
He was preceded in
death by his wife, Elaine; his parents, Amanda and Ted Mech; his brother and
sister-in-law, Alma and Melvin Mech; his sister Jean Mech; and Elaine’s parents,
Mae and Art Buker.
Vicki and Mike want to recognize and thank Millie and
Den Humke;, Sue and Jim Rahm, Ed Yurkovich, Junior Hare, Diane Del Fatti and Joe
Mayenschein for helping their dad and being such wonderful friends.
Memorial contributions can be made to Riley Children’s Foundation, 30 South
Meridan, Ste.2000. Indianapolis, IN 46204, or The American Stroke Association at
7272 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, TX 75231
Online condolences may be
expresses at www.cuddiefh.com.
Cuddie Funeral Home, Greenwood, is assisting the family with arrangements.
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