Harold L. Wickler, age 71, of Morrison, IL, passed away peacefully while surrounded by family on Wednesday, April 5, 2017, after a courageous 18-month battle with cancer.
He was born on May 4, 1945, in Platteville, WI, to Myles and Margaret (Keough) Wickler. His formative years were filled with his love of competitive go-cart racing and working at the family Texaco gas station, from the 8th grade through college. He attended the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, where he graduated in 1967. He moved to Morrison that year to work at General Electric, as part of the Financial Management Program. He worked for 34 years in both the Finance and Employee Relations Departments. He was drafted into the U. S. Army in 1968 during the Vietnam era and served until 1970, when he was honorably discharged, and returned to Morrison and his career at GE. Harold and his first wife Kathy raised two children, Deanne and Philip during their time in Morrison. He was very active in his children’s activities, serving as Little League Player Agent, and leader for Cub Scouts and YMCA Indian Princesses. He also served on the GE Credit Union Board for several years. Harold was truly in his element while at his cabin in the woods, “Harold’s Hilton,” located near LaFarge, WI, and built with his brother Jim in 1987. He developed great friendships in the LaFarge area, including the Amish community. For the past 23 years, Harold received enormous joy from his relationship with caring partner, Carol Planthaber. After their retirement, they enjoyed spending time with family and friends. They split their time between “Harold’s Hilton,” Morrison, and winters at their home in Okeechobee, FL. The number of winter months in Florida increased yearly, as they had a lot of dear friends to enjoy sunshine with. Harold had a lifetime passion of sports. Car racing was one of his favorites–starting with racing go-carts, progressing to Indy Car races at Elkhart Lake with “the boys,” a visit to Daytona Speedway, and rarely missing a race on TV. Harold was always an avid Badgers and Packers fan. One of his favorite sports weekends was with Carol and his kids, spending Saturday tailgating in Madison, watching the Badgers at Camp Randall, and spending Sunday at Lambeau Field watching the Packers. His grandsons have inherited his sports gene.
Survivors include his partner Carol; a daughter, Deanne (Chris) Everson of Lake Mills, WI; a son, Philip (Michele) Wickler of Cincinnati, OH; four grandchildren, Kaci and Luke Everson and Nicholas and Natalie Wickler; brothers John, Jim (Marleen) and Charles (Cathy) of Waukesha, WI; a sister, Rosemary of Platteville; seven nephews, a niece, and their families; Carol’s loving family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Myles and Margaret Wickler; an infant daughter, Stacy Lynn; sister-in-law Marlene Wickler.
In lieu of formal services, a celebration of Harold’s life will be held on Saturday, April 8, 2017, at the Forest Inn in Morrison, IL. Family and friends are invited to help us remember an amazing brother, father, partner, and friend during the hours of 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
A donation will be made in his honor to his favorite charity, the V Foundation for Cancer Research. “Don’t ever give up!”
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the extraordinary care Harold received from Dr. Alikhan; Lisa and Missy; the loving and caring nurses and CNA’s at CGH; the Rock River Valley Hospice team.