Vernon C. Schwobe
Vernon C. “Vern” Schwobe, age 91, of Chilton, died on Tuesday, February 26, 2019 at his home in Chilton. He was born October 3, 1927, son of the late Henry & Pauline (Hanke) Schwobe.
Vern courageously served in the Korean War while in the United States Army until he was honorably discharged in 1953.
In the midst of his service to our country, Vern married Jeanette Joas on April 15, 1952. Throughout his life, Vern enjoyed woodworking and carpentry. With his dedicated wife by his side, the couple built 2 houses with homemade blueprints and continued to live in his second house up to this day. While raising their family, Vern put these valuable skills to good use to build each of his children beds and dressers amongst other handmade items.
He was a member of the VFW, the Chilton American Legion Post #125 and volunteered as an usher at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Chilton. Vern had also served as the Teamster’s Union President in the 60’s; a position which he appreciated to help create strong work contracts for his members.
For much of his working career, Vern worked at the Carnation Company in Chilton where he was able to use all of his skills as a “Jack of All Trades”. He was a highly regarded maintenance man for the company and was an apt forklift driver until his retirement in 1988.
Vern and Jeanette enjoyed time spent camping because it allowed them the tremendous opportunity to travel the country and bear witness to the many sites and excursions this great land has to offer. They began by camping in a tent before Vern, once again, hand built a camper that fit on the back of his pickup truck. Following a number of years, it was time to upgrade and Vern and Jeanette traveled in the lap of luxury in their 5th wheel camper. Once experiencing the highlights of retirement, Vern and Jeanette wintered in the Rio Grand Valley near Alamo, TX. It was here that they enjoyed the many community activities that kept them active outside of their home and in the presence of many new friends. Beyond the traveling and camping, Vern also enjoyed tending to his garden where he procured many and various beautiful flowers. Above all, he loved his family and was extremely grateful that his children and grandchildren lived in the area.
Survivors include his wife: Jeanette; his children: Judy (Steve) Meier, Jerry Schwobe, Janet (Norb) Gebhart; a daughter-in-law: Carol Schwobe; grandchildren: Lisa (Pat) Spaulding of Kimberly, David Schwobe of Manitowoc, Andrea Meier of Madison, Jeff (Kristin) Meier of Oregon, Ashley (John) Meier of Green Bay, Beth (Joel) Kopecky of Chilton, Matthew (Sara) Schwobe of Seymour, Becky (Andy) Miller of Campbellsport, Ruth (Lisa) Schwobe of DePere, Chris (Jerelyn) Gebhart of Illinois, Jeremy Gebhart of Malone, Nick (Monica) Gebhart of Menomonee Falls, Brian Gebhart of Fond du Lac, Jeremiah Schwobe Koehler of Appleton, Rhiannon Schwobe Koehler of Chilton; children loved as grandchildren: Katie (Mitch) Fowler, Bresais & Evelyn; and his great grandchildren: Jon-Luke & James-Lee Spaulding, Andrew & Abby Kopecky, Reese, Caleb & Julia Kopecky, Cheyenna Schwobe, Phillip & Steven Miller, Asher & Chloe Gebhart, Addyson Gebhart, Weston Gebhart, and Ariana Schwobe-Koehler. He is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Vern was preceded in death by his parents; sons: Jeffrey Schwobe who died in 1959, Joseph Schwobe who died in 1987, & James “Jim” Schwobe who died in 2018; a daughter-in-law: Pam Schwobe who died in 2015; two brothers, one sister and sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law.
Private family services have been held.