Wilbert J. Landvatter, 91, passed away Tuesday, September 2, 2014 at Linden Grove in Menomonee Falls.
He was born on January 17, 1923 in West Bend to the late Alfred and Esther (nee Abel) Landvatter. He graduated from West Bend High School in 1941 and served in the U.S. Navy during WWII.
Wilbert was united in marriage to Beatrice Benike on May 20, 1944 in Milwaukee. They lived in Wauwatosa until 1955 then Brookfield until 1972, Phelps until 1995, Campbellsport until 2004, Wet Bend until 2008, and finally Menomonee Falls. Beatrice passed away on August 13, 1997.
Wilbert was employed as a tool and die maker at Briggs and Stratton in Wauwatosa for many years, retiring in 1972. He enjoyed carpentry, hunting, fishing, Sheepshead, and spending time with his family and friends. His grandchildren always brought a huge smile to his face.
He is survived by a son, Gerald (Sandra) Landvatter of West Chester, OH; three grandchildren, Kent (Jamie) Landvatter of Hamilton, OH, Bobbi (Todd) Fochs of Colgate, and Becki (Steve) Anderson of Aurora, CO; three great-grandchildren, Henry Landvatter, Arabella Fochs, and McKinley Anderson; a daughter-in-law, Sharon (Ken) Ziarek of Delafield; two sisters-in-law, Florence Graff of West Bend, and Lucille Daanen of DePere; a brother-in-law, George (Carol) Benike of Princeton; other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Beatrice; a son, David Landvatter; two brothers, Robert (Julie) Landvatter and Howard (Doris) Landvatter; sisters-in-law, Estella (Emil) Horn, Mary (Elmer) Svien; brothers-in-law, Carl (Alice) Benike, John (Lena) Benike, Frederick Benike Jr, Ramon Graff, Ken Daanen; and a special friend, Arlene Wagner.
A funeral service in remembrance of Wilbert will be held on Saturday, September 20 at 11:00 a.m. at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 777 Indiana Ave., West Bend. Visitation will be at the church on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service. Burial will be at 2:45 pm in LaBelle Cemetery in Oconomowoc.
Memorials to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church are appreciated.