Russell Roethel

Russell J. Roethel, 84, of Oostburg, passed away on January 5, 2017 at Pine Haven Residential in Sheboygan Falls with his family at his side following complications from Parkinson Disease. Russ was born on May 12, 1932 in Oostburg to Hugo and Esther (TenHaken) Roethel. He is a 1950 graduate of Oostburg High School. Russ served his country in the United States Army from 1953-1955. Russ had the privilege of participating in an Honor Flight with his son, Carl in 2015. On May 23, 1952 he married Delores Mentink in Oostburg. Russ worked for H.C. Prange Company from 1955-1975, then became the manager and owner of the Variety Stores in Oostburg and Cedar Grove from 1975 until 1992. He then worked at Piggly Wiggly in Cedar Grove during his retirement. Russ was an active and lifelong member of the First Reformed Church in Oostburg, where he served as a deacon, elder, usher, Sunday school teacher, Bible Class teacher, sang in the choir and attended the Young At Heart. He was a former Cub Scout Master, a 30 year member of Gideons International and the Cedar Grove and Oostburg Kiwanis Clubs, the former Oostburg Businessmen's Assoc. and a Wednesday Morning Sheepshead Club. He enjoyed reading, gardening, traveling, stamp collecting, playing cards and dominoes. Russ is survived by his wife of 64 years, Delores; four sons, Carl (Linda), Robert (Mary), James (Mary Lou), and Randall (Margaret) Roethel; 10 grandchildren, Kristen (Joel) Frier, Brenda (Marcus) VanDyken, Aaron (Caitlin) Roethel, Michael (Angela) Roethel, Jeffery (Kimberley) Roethel, Angela (Ben) Wendorf, Michelle (Josh) Gross, Grant (Rachel) Roethel, Kimberly Roethel and Jacob (Jessie) Kleiner; one brother, Paul (Kay) Roethel of Berlin; and one sister-in-law, Donna Lubbers of Leesburg, FL. He is further survived by three nieces, a nephew; two foster daughters, Shelley and Dawn Bonnett; other relatives and friends. Russ was preceded in death by his parents, grandson, Joshua Roethel and brother-in-law, Wayne Lubbers. A funeral service to celebrate Russ's life will be held Monday, January 9, 2017 at 11am at the First Reformed Church in Oostburg with Rev. Brian Taylor officiating. Burial and Military Honors will be at Union Cemetery in the Town of Holland. Relatives and friends may greet the family on Sunday, January 8, 2017 at the Wenig Funeral Home in Oostburg from 4-7 pm and again on Monday, January 9, 2017 at the CHURCH from 10am until the time of service at 11am. A memorial fund is being established for First Reformed Church in Oostburg and Gideons International in Russ's memory. We look to the heavens not to see what we have lost, But to remember those who have found happiness before us. The staff of the Wenig Funeral Home of Oostburg (920-564-2771) is assisting the Roethel family with arrangements.

Visitation

Sunday, January 8, 2017 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Wenig Funeral Home - Oostburg
108 Center Ave. Oostburg 53070, United States

Visitation

Monday, January 9, 2017 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
First Reformed Church-Oostburg
927 Superior Ave. Oostburg 53070, United States

Service

Monday, January 9, 2017 11:00 AM
First Reformed Church-Oostburg
927 Superior Ave. Oostburg 53070, United States