Claude F. Witzeling, 84, Wausau, died Thursday April 26, 2018 at home under the care of Interim Home Hospice. He was born August 31, 1933, at St. Mary’s Hospital, Wausau, son of the late Fred and Margaret (Wolfe) Witzeling. He grew up in Edgar where he attended St. John’s Catholic Grade School and Edgar High School.
Moving to Wausau with his parents in 1951, Claude attended the drafting program at Wausau Vocational Technical School. Upon his graduation in 1953, he enlisted in the US Navy. He married Jean A. Altenburg at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Mosinee, on April 22, 1954.
She joined him in San Diego, California and later they lived in Bremerton, Washington and Long Beach, California. Upon his honorable discharge from the US Navy in 1957, he returned to Wausau. There he was employed at Modern Builders and Suppliers, Inc., working for his father.
He later co-owned the business with his brother Eugene until retiring in 1996. His interests included hunting pheasants in South Dakota, fishing in Kodiak, Alaska, bowling and golfing. He was a charter member of St. Matthew Catholic Church, Wausau and a long-time member of the Stettin Lions Club.
He was also an avid Green Bay Packer fan. Claude is survived by his wife, Jean and his three children; Brian (Dawn) Witzeling, Wausau; Diane (Neil) Shockey, Glendora, California and Robert Witzeling, Weston. He is also survived by four grandchildren, Jason (Ashley) Witzeling, Ringle; Matthew (Kelly Wachtl) Witzeling, Portland, Oregon; Amanda and Megan Shockey, Glendora, California; three great grandchildren, Addison, Avery and Charles; one brother, Douglas of Madison, Wisconsin.
Besides his parents, Fred and Margaret Witzeling, Claude was preceded in death by one brother, Eugene Witzeling and a grandson, Joseph Claude Witzeling. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Saturday May 5, 2018 at St. Matthew Catholic Church, 229 So. 28th Avenue.
, Wausau. Rev. Robert Thorn will preside.
Burial will be in St. Paul Cemetery, Mosinee. Visitation will be Friday from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 3400 Stewart Avenue, Wausau and again on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services at the church. There will be a parish rosary at 7:00 p.m. Friday at the Stewart Avenue Funeral Home.
Pallbearers for the service will be Jason Witzeling, Matthew Witzeling, Eric Finck, Tim Witzeling, Daniel Witzeling and Michael Rindfleisch. Online condolences may be expressed at www. petersonkraemer.com In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Matthew Catholic Church, in Claude’s name.
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