Wilbert F. ""Bill"" Karls

Waunakee -- Wilbert F. ""Bill"" Karls, age 85, passed away on Friday, October 30, 2009, at Waunakee Manor in Waunakee. He was born on January 9, 1924 in the Town of Dane, to the late Joseph and Magdalena (Miller) Karls. Bill attended St. John's School, worked for Miller's Grocery Store and retired in 1986 after 25 years at Wisconsin Central Colony.

Bill enjoyed playing baseball. He pitched for the Waunakee Home Talent team that won the Championship in 1949. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing, bowling and the Packers.

Survivors include 3 sisters, Margaret Hellenbrand of Janesville, Sister Stella Marie of Fond du Lac and Dorothy (Gerald) Maly of Waunakee; a brother, Tom (Odelia ) Karls of Waunakee; a sister-in-law, Priscilla Karls of Waunakee and many nieces and nephews.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, 5 sisters, Martha Meffert, Ann Karls, Delephine Petranek, Johanna Schwab, and Mary Hellenbrand, 3 brothers, Sylvester, Arnold and Joe, sister-in-law, Loretta Karls and 4 brother-in-laws, Peter Meffert, Ed Petranek, Linus Schwab and Ben Hellenbrand.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST CATHOLIC CHURCH, 209 South St., Waunakee, on Wednesday, November 4, 2009, at 11:00 a.m. Father Pat Wendler will officiate. Burial will follow at St. John's Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church on Wednesday, November 4, 2009, from 9:30 a.m. until time of mass.

Special thanks to the staff at Waunakee Manor for their excellent care during the 9 years of his residence. Also thanks to Vincent Koch for the many visits and rides in the countryside.