Jeffrie J. Wichman

Wichman, Jeffrie J. Jeffrie J. (Jeff) Wichman, age 68, of Saukville, passed away peacefully into the arms of his Savior with his beloved Rose beside him, on Saturday morning October 11, 2014 at the St. Mary’s Ozaukee Lawlis Hospice, after a very courageous battle with lung cancer. He was born on April 27, 1946 in Milwaukee, son of the late Harold W. and Bernice (Klein) Wichman. Jeff was a graduate of the John Marshall High School of Milwaukee with the class of 1964. He then went to serve his country in the U.S. Army on November 12, 1965 until November 9, 1967 as a Spec 4 with the 504th as an M.P. in Vietnam and a guard at the Fort Leavenworth Prison. He was awarded the Purple Heart and many other commendations for his distinguished service to his country. After the service he met and married the love of his life Rose Mary Skipchak of Milwaukee and they were married on October 18, 1969 at the Siloah Lutheran Church of Milwaukee and they enjoyed almost 45 wonderful years together. Jeff was employed for 42 years as a Machinist and Supervisor at the Milwaukee Gear Manufacturing Co. of Milwaukee where he enjoyed his profession and recently retired. He is a member of the Our Savior Lutheran Church of Grafton, the V.F.W. Post 470 of Saukville, the Saukville Gun Club and the N.R.A. His children shared some thoughts and memories of their dad, which tell a story of the person Jeff really was and imprint he made on each of them. The following are just a few glimpses into their wonderful life with him. He always had a great love and respect for our country and service men and women. The Fourth of July at the cabin was celebrated by dad’s traditional flag raising ceremony and the family joining in to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. The kids will miss receiving his reminder emails when election time rolls around “Don’t forget to vote” and if you did not vote you don’t have any right to complain… He had always been a stickler for safety and following the rules- making each of us wear a life jacket before boarding his boat and not allowing us to cast a fishing line if we didn’t have our license. He was always the one to buy his kids and grandkids their first fishing pole. We are so proud of dad for the love he had for his family as he never stopped his “daddy duties” even after all of his kids became adults, he was always there whether it was to help with a dead car battery or a home improvement project. He showed his love for mom daily be it through playful bickering, hand holding, love notes written in birthday or anniversary cards, silly homemade gift or flowers on no occasion at all. All of the kids are proud to have witnessed such a love story between mom and dad. One on one breakfast and conversations will be greatly missed. They were shared together at the favorite truck stop- dad always ordered two eggs over easy , bacon with toast and coffee. He had a love for the outdoors, hunting, fishing, and just sitting in the woods peacefully listening and watching the beauty created by God. He loved bow and gun hunting and was very excited when he got his deer last year. He and his first grandson, Jacob were starting to form a bond with hunting and outdoors. It was also wonderful to see each of the grandchildren with their special place in “papa’s” heart…many times starting out with a trip to Cabelas. He would tell us kids that he was proud of us and would pat our shoulder and wink his eye. He was a wonderful “Papa” (Grandpa). He enjoyed the times we would all go up to the cabin and enjoy our family time and loved having the grandchildren up for fishing, swimming and walks in the woods. He also enjoyed going to the grandkids programs through the year at school and church. He loved watching all the kids and the silly things they do. He really enjoyed his trips with Duane Rick who was like a brother to him since grade school. His favorite times were camping at Joe’s land with Duane and Cathy sitting with drinks and having a “break” around the campfire, also talking, revisiting old memories, enjoying the company of friends and family that Mom and Dad were adopted into from long standing friendships. Tom Zylka, another “like” a brother friend of Dad enjoyed fishing trips with son Jason. Poygan Lake was also enjoyed with black berry brandy. He enjoyed camping and fishing at the family land in Lac Du Flambeau with Tom and Colleen Zylka. On his latest camping trip to Colorado with his brother-in-law and nephew (Bob and Matt Fontaine) he enjoyed the scenery and the feeling of being so close to God in the Mountains and looking out among the great mountains he said he felt like “just a speck”. He had such a strong faith in his Lord and even in his darkest moments he left it all in God’s hands and accepted what was to be and never once questioned why. He loved and trusted the Lord with all of his heart. There are not enough words to describe what a great loss it is for all of us who love him so much. There are so many wonderful things that will be missed, and more that may come. A few day to day pieces of love Rose will miss is holding his hand during church each week, morning coffee and bedtime tuck- in’s. He was so strong, tender, loving and quiet…he was her everything. Survivors include his beloved wife, Rose and his loved children, Lisa (Joel) Hoevker, Julie Wichman, Jenny (Jeff) Greiveldinger, Jason (Michelle) Wichman and Renee (Dave) McQuinn, his ten dear grandchildren, Savannah, Lilian, Jacob, Rebekah, Ethan, Emily, Amelia, Colton, Zachary and Eli. Also his brother in law, Bob Fontaine and nephews, David and Matt Fontaine, and his very dear friends, Duane (Cathy) Rick, Tom (Colleen) Zylka, and Joanne Brady. He was preceded in death by his grandson, Ethan Hoevker, his sister, Pat Fontaine, and his Mom and Dad, Harold and Bernice, his mother and father in law, Leona Mary (Pickart) and Arthur Joseph Skipchak, his step father in law, Steve Dembowski , brother’s in law, Michael Skipchak and Dennis Kubczak, a nephew Donnie Kubczak, and special friend Gary Brady. A Funeral Service for Jeff will be held on Wednesday October 15, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. at Our Savior Evangelical Lutheran Church of Grafton, 1332 Arrow Head Road, Grafton, Wi. 53024 with the Pastor Mark C. Wagner officiating and burial will follow in the Union Cemetery of Port Washington. Relatives and friends may visit with the family and pay their respects to Jeff at the church on Wednesday from 11 to 1, prior to the service. The family would like to give a special thank you for all of the spiritual help and guidance thru Jeff’s illness to Pastor Mark C. Wagner and Tom Hering.