Kenneth M. Bastian

Kenneth M. Bastian, age 91, of Chilton, went to be with his heavenly father, on Monday, October 6, 2014 at Century Ridge in Chilton. He was born January 15, 1923 in Brillion, son of the late Walter & Elsie (Grave) Bastian. Ken served as an officer in the Army Air Corps during WWII. He was stationed in TX and trained as a bombardier and a flight instructor. Upon his discharge, he married Virginia Daul on October 9, 1947 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Chilton. Ken attended school in Chicago for radio broadcasting before transferring to Central Technical Institute in Kansas City, MO for radio broadcasting and radio equipment repair. He worked in Madison for WHA before moving to Chilton in 1949 when he began working for WHKW. It was during this time that he was responsible for daily announcements, maintenance of the equipment, and reporting of the weather. In the 70’s the operation moved to WPNE in Green Bay where he worked another 10 years, and retired with a complete 40 years of broadcasting under his belt. He was a member of Good Shepherd Catholic Church where he had also served on the Parish Council, the Chilton American Legion, the Knights of Columbus, and volunteered time with the Boy Scouts. In his retirement, he drove 19 years for the Calumet County Aging & Disability Resource Center and volunteered for meals on wheels until after his 90th birthday. In his free time, Ken enjoyed his time spent with his grandchildren, playing cards, square dancing, and traveling the world with his wife. He was proud to have traveled to Ireland, Israel, Japan, Germany, Austria, England, and throughout the United States. Ken will be remembered as a jack of all trades who could fix nearly everything and was referred to by his friends as the “Little Man Who Could”. Survivors include his wife of 67 years: Virginia; his children: Dan (Theresa) Bastian of Bend, OR, Doris (Mark) Doughty of Scarborough, ME, Beth (Shingo) Kawazura of Lakeworth, FL, Debby (Dan) Albertz of Freedom, Barb (Keith) Baltz of Appleton, Jim (Liza) Bastian of Chilton, Maria (Kurt) Mansavage of Stevens Point; 9 grandchildren: Kristin, Brian, Jason, Crystal, Austin, Karisa, Colton, Alicia & Cassandra; great grandchildren: Seth & Kacie with another 2 arriving soon; a brother: Donald; and 2 sisters: Alice & Germaine. He is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; a son: Michael; 2 brothers: Vance & Lawrence; and 2 sisters: Myrtle & Ruth. Funeral service will be at 2:30 pm on Monday, October 13, 2014 at Good Shepherd Catholic Church (54 E. Main St.) in Chilton. Friends may call at the church from 11:30 am until 2:15 pm on Monday, October 13, 2014. Ken’s family would like to thank Chilton Care Center, Century Ridge, Dr. Tipler, and Calumet County Hospice for all of the compassionate care Ken received. They would also like to send a special thank you to Dan & Jennifer Daul for everything they did for the entire family, especially the gift of the fresh baked goods…keep ‘em coming! In lieu of flowers a memorial fund is being established in Ken’s name. – See more at: http://www.wietingfuneralhome.com/obituaries/kenneth-m-bastian/#sthash.HFuIkOtd.dpuf