Robert Gerald Wilsmann Sr

Robert Gerald Wilsmann Sr., age 82, of Neillsville, WI died Thursday, September 8, 2011 in St. Joseph's Hospital in Marshfield, WI following heart surgery.Robert was born September 13, 1928 in Milwaukee, WI to William H. Wilsmann Sr. and Minnie (Heibel) Wilsmann. He was raised in Two Rivers, WI and then moved with his family to Neillsville, WI in 1938. He attended the Lutheran Grade School and the Neillsville High School. He entered the Army in 1950 and received an honorable discharge in 1952 as a Corporal. He worked at the Nasonville Cheese Factory, then the former Coast-to-Coast Store, then the Neillsville Co-op Transport as a semi-driver until 1982, then completed his work career at Roehl Transport as a dispatcher, retiring in 1998.Robert was married to the former Elizabeth Holt at Neillsville, WI. Robert was a member of the United Church of Christ. He enjoyed traveling out west, sports, hunting and especially his family. Robert was a loving husband, father, grandfather and uncle. He will be sadly missed by his family and friends.Survivors include his wife, Elizabeth, one daughter, Barbara Ann Wilsmann of Neillsville, WI, one son, Robert James (Sharon) Wilsmann Jr. of Neillsville, WI, 6 grandchildren, Emmalee, Calli and Tye (Sarah) Decorah, Rebecca Lynn (Jeffrey) Ciezki, Timothy James (Terrie) Wilsmann and Stephanie Nicole Wilsmann, 8 great grandchildren, twins, Landon Robert and Logan Bradley Ciezki, Kahlea Decorah, Kaelyn Lang and Bailee Ciezki, Tanner, Taylor and Tori Opelt, 1 brother, William H. Wilsmann of Marshfield, WI, William's children, Patsy, Bonnie, Wendy, Michael, David and Larry, 1 brother-in-law, James E. Holt of Black River Falls, WI, 1 sister-in-law, Dixie Holt of Spencer, WI, five nieces, Sherry (Tom Harnish) Holt, Shelley (Gary) Holt Melde, Amy Holt Bartelson, who was also Robert's Godchild, Sharon (James) Marescalco, Sandra (John) Schwan, 1 nephew, Stacy Holt, 4 great nephews, Brandon Oreskovich, Daniel Bartelson, Luke Schwan and Todd Marescalco and 3 great nieces, Lisa (Gregg) Ovsak, Leah Simplot and Autumn Bartelson.Robert was preceded in death by his parents, one sister, Evelyn Wachholz and husband Armond Wachholz, two sisters-in-law, Lucille Wilsmann and Cheryl Holt and one brother-in-law, Richard Holt.Casket Bearers are Timothy James Wilsmann, Jeffrey Ciezki, Michael Wilsmann, Stacy Holt, Jeffrey "Curly" Marg and Randy Gault. Honorary Casket Bearers are Calli Decorah, Gary Melde and Tom Harnish.Funeral Services for Robert will be held at 1:00 p.m., Monday, September 12, 2011 at the United Church of Christ in Neillsville, WI. Pastor Bryan Olson will officiate. Music will be provided by Eileen Zank and Corrine Armitage, soloist. Interment will be in the Neillsville City Cemetery with Military Honors accorded by the Neillsville Veteran's Council. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., Sunday at the Gesche Funeral Home in Neillsville and from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m., Monday at the United Church of Christ.Funeral Home:Gesche Funeral Home4 South Grand AvenueNeillsville, WIUS 54456