Obit: Kapeluch, Leonard H. (1907 - 1982)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Kapeluch, Harn, Van Morter, Morley, Wildenberg, Friar, Linford, Beauregard, Smalley, Jolly, Evans, Lutze, Kohls, Anderson, Bradshaw, Schwartz, Strack, Wildenberg, Grimm, Forde

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 11/18/1982

Kapeluch, Leonard H. (21 March 1907 – 13 November 1982) With Flag

Leonard H. Kapeluch, a former Town of Pine Valley resident, passed away in St. Joseph’s Hospital, Marshfield, on Saturday evening, November 13. Kapeluch, who last made his home at rural Vesper, was 75, at the time of his death.

The deceased was born on March 21, 1907, in Racine to Gustav and Emilie (Harn) Kapeluch. He received his education in Racine and then enlisted in the Navy, serving during World War I and completing six-years of duty. When he returned, he worked at J.I. Case for thirteen years and for Allis Chalmers in Milwaukee for 16 years. During this time, he married Gladys Van Morter in February 14, 1947, Racine ceremonies. The couple later moved to Clark County.

The Kapeluch family farmed in the Town of Pine Valley for several years. He later lived in Greenwood, Owen-Withee, Willard and several other places before moving to Vesper where he lived with his daughter. In 1962, Kapeluch’s wife died. On September 5, 1964, he married Lillian Morley in Medford ceremonies; she passed away in September of 1977.

Surviving him are four daughters, Mrs. William (Barbara) Wildenberg of Vesper, Mrs. Arthur (Beverly) Friar of Belleville, Michigan, and Mrs. Kenneth (Laverne) Linford and Mrs. Kenneth (Charlene) Beauregard, both of Naples, Florida; and a son Leonard, Howard Lake, Minnesota. Joining them are six stepchildren, Sally Smalley of Evansville, Indiana, Mrs. Ray (Iva Jean) Jolly of Fairchild, Ethel Evans of Milwaukee, Peter Lutze of Williamsburg, Kansas, James Lutze of Portland, Oregon, and William Lutze of Killeen, Texas.

Also listed as survivors are three sisters, Anna Kohls of New Berlin and Gladys Anderson and Norma Bradshaw, both of Racine; fourteen grandchildren; and several great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two wives; a son, Richard; three brothers and two sisters.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday afternoon, November 16, from the Gesche Funeral Home, Neillsville. The Rev. Paul Forde of Calvary Lutheran Church officiated with burial in the Neillsville City Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers were Elroy Schwartz, Jerry Strack, Todd and William Wildenberg, Robert Grimm and Ray Jolly.