Raymond J. Lecheler

RAYMOND J. LECHELER 
LA CROSSE- Raymond John Lecheler, 91, of La Crosse, died Tuesday, April 10, 2012, in St. Joseph‘s Rehabilitation Center, La Crosse. He was born Jan. 23, 1921, in Elmwood, Wis., to Paul and Frances Lecheler.

While enlisted in the Army Air Corp he lost his left eye, but never considered that to be a disability; in fact the injury indirectly led him to meet his future wife, Lilly Hejna. They were married Oct. 8, 1949, in Missouri and have lived in La Crosse for 62 years.

After their marriage Ray worked as a typewriter repairman for Rowley Office Equipment; then as a mailroom clerk at the La Crosse branch of the U.S. Postal Service for many years. He was a longtime member of St. Joseph the Workman Cathedral parish, La Crosse, where he was very
active in the parish Men’s Club. In his spare time he was an avid gardener, originally as a practical means of feeding his family, and later just for the enjoyment working the soil brought to him. Ice fishing was another of his hobbies.

Ray served in the Army Air Corps. He enjoyed many years as a leader of both Cub and Boy Scout Troops, of which all six of his sons were members over the years. He took great pride in assisting with the annual Memorial Day placement of American flags on the graves of
veterans .

He is survived by his wife, Lilly, of La Crosse, eight children, Paul of Madison, Donald of La Crosse, Robert (Pam) of Kenosha, Wis., Dr. Frederick (Ruth) of New Smyrna Beach, Fla., Carl (Lee Ann) of Richmond, Va., Linda Brandt of Onalaska, Wis., Frances (Michael) Gontarz of
Wausau, Wis., and Kim (Traci) of La Crosse; 14 grandchildren, Amanda Lecheler, Roxanne Nicole Thorelli, Stephanie Lecheler, Onix and  Cintia Lecheler, Vanessa (Ivory) Butler, Adam (Katie) Brandt, Danielle, Christian, Jonathan, Joseph and Anna Gontarz, Aaron and Lindsey Lecheler; 5 great-grandchildren and a sixth due any day. He is also survived by a brother Alvin of Madison, a sister, Marion Bauer of Elmwood and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a granddaughter, Kimberly Lecheler; a daughter-in-law, Pam (Teske) Lecheler; two sisters, Margaret Harmon and Agnes Lauer; and three brothers, Arthur, Romanus and Peter.

A Funeral Mass will be 10:00 a.m. Monday, April 16, at St. Joseph the Workman Cathedral, 530 Main St., Rev. Charles Stoetzel will officiate. Entombment with military honors will follow in the Catholic Cemetery Mausoleum.  Friends may call from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, in the Blaschke-Schneider Funeral Home, 1501 West Ave. S., La Crosse, where there will be a 4 p.m. rosary. Friends may also call on Monday from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the church. Online condolences may be made at www.blaschkeschneider.com