Robert Edward Schwanke

Robert Edward Schwanke, 80, formerly of 154 W. Church St., Oakfield, died Thursday, March 25, 2010, at Rolling Meadows Nursing Home. He was born July 31, 1929, at Channing, MI, Dickenson County, to Edward and Grace Doolittle Schwanke. On August 29, 1959, he married Elaine Schwantes in Horicon, WI. He was a 1947 graduate of Horicon High School, and was employed at Gardners Manufacturing of Horicon, until entering the U.S. Navy in 1947 and serving until 1956. He was an electronics technician in the Submarine service. Robert was a member of Voss Philipsky V.F. W. Post 8057 in Horicon, and in July of 1964 transferred to Oakfield V.F.W. Post 8092, where he held the offices of Commander, Quartermaster, Post Adjutant from 1978-1996, V.O.D. Chairman for several years, and was also a member of the post color guard and firing squad. After moving to Oakfield in 1964, he was employed by Giddings & Lewis as an electrical designer from January of 1964 until his retirement in April of 1993. He was a member of the G&L Staff Club, G&L Oldsters Club, and the G&L Golf League. Robert served on the Oakfield Board of Education for 16 years, six of those as President of the board. He was a member of St. Luke's Evangelical Lutheran Church, where he served as President of the church council for three years, and several years as a Sunday school teacher. Surviving is his wife, Elaine, a daughter, Cynthia (David) Matson of Mt. Vernon, Washington and their children Jeremiah and Jacinda, two sons, Edward (Libby) Schwanke of Euless, TX and their children, Joshua, Travis, Tessa, and Veronica, and Daniel Schwanke of Corpus Christi, TX, a son-in-law, Corey Slough of Corpus Christi, TX and his children, Stacey, Katelyn, and Holly, two sisters, Donna (Gerald) Miller of Montello, and Wendy Breselow of Horicon, a sister-in-law, Pat Schwanke of Horicon, a brother-in-law, Leslie (Nancy) Schwantes of Horicon, nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends. His father, mother, stepmother, Lillian Schwanke, a daughter, Debra Slough, three sisters, Mildred Carter, Ernestine O'Kon, and Jane Braatz, and one brother, Donald Schwanke, preceded him in death.



Visitation for Robert Edward Schwanke will be on Wednesday, March 31, 2010, from 4 to 7pm at Uecker-Witt Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at 7pm on Wednesday at the funeral home. The Rev. Chris Goelzer will officiate and cremation will follow traditional services. Graveside military rites will be conducted by Oakfield V.F.W. Post #8092 at Avoca Cemetery, Oakfield at 3 pm on Thursday, April 1, 2010. Additional information and guest book may be found at www.ueckerwitt.com