Arnold "Arnie" C. Michiels

Arnold “Arnie” C. Michiels Arnold “Arnie” C. Michiels 85, Sugarbush, WI, passed away peacefully at home June 6th, 2011. Arnie, son of Frank and Clara (Jauquet) Michiels was born in Sugarbush, September 14th, 1925. On June 11, 1955, Arnie married Dorothy “Dot” LaMere at St. Kilian Church in New Franken. He was a U.S. Navy veteran having served in the Mediterranean during World War II. Arnie drove truck for many years hauling peas, beans, corn, fertilizer, water and potatoes. He and his brother Bob, took over their parents’ farm and milk route until Bob left for California. Arnie continued the milk route until retirement and was one of the first area haulers to convert from milk cans to bulk. Most of his career was with Lake-to-Lake Dairy, Denmark and he enjoyed many friendships with the farmers on his route. He was a lifelong Packer season ticket holder. After the Ice Bowl, he helped tear down and rode a goal post through downtown Green Bay. He enjoyed going up to the cabin in Spread Eagle with his brother Earl, wife Vi, his brother in law C.P. and sister Red. He also enjoyed working his garden and spending time outdoors. Although he lived most of his life within a mile from his birth place, he was very well traveled and visited all 50 states. Arnie liked the freeways as they kept most people off of his beloved back roads, fire-lanes, logging roads, and occasional hay fields. Any path that led to a waterfall, fire tower, scenic overlook, historical/geographic marker, etc. was fair game. He loved swimming on hot, summer days and jumping off of the rope swing up at the cabin. He was a self-made man and voracious reader. He flew the American flag every day. He was a member of Winiecki VFW Post 9677, Bellevue and St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, Sugarbush. For decades, he donated time to Rawhide Boys Ranch, Paul’s Pantry and St. Vincent De Paul, and routinely donated blood to the American Red Cross. Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Dot; their eight children: Steve (Pam) Michiels Seattle, WA; Diane Romuald, Green Bay; Mark (Barb) Michiels, Luxemburg; Paul (Lyn) Michiels, New London; Jim (Kim) Michiels, Sugarbush; Shawn (Mike) Curry, Luxemburg; Greg (Carrie) Michiels, Appleton; Tracy Michiels, Green Bay, twenty three grandchildren Kayla, McKenzie, Abby, Matt; Carrie (Josh) Gille and Kelli Romuald; Stephanie and Zak; Sarah, Jamie, Ben, Kate (Seth) Lenz, Nick; Dan (Tara), Nikki, Bethany; John (fiancé Ashleigh), Andy, Emily and Kyle Curry; Lauren, Caleb, Michal; and two great grandchildren Lilah and Ameilia, additionally, he is survived by his brothers Gerald “Jerry” Michiels, Appleton/Naples, FL; Donald “Don” (Betty) Michiels, Green Bay; William “Bill” (Arlene) Michiels, Denmark; sisters-in-law: Vi Michiels, Janesville; Carol Michiels, Marinette; Fern Berard, Milwaukee; and numerous extended family. Arnie was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Clara, sisters: Marie (Dave) Ohrmundt; Florence (Eugene) DeHeck, Leona (Leonard) Arendt, Geraldine “Red” (Clarence) Lamal; Donna Mae; brothers: Louise “Earl”, Bob (Mary), Norman (Joyce), Walter “Mike”, brothers-in-law: Harold “Mickey” (Edna) LaMere, Earl (Ola Mae) LaMere, mother-in-law Thelma “Nettie” (Harold “Red”) Ellis, and one son-in-law Randy Romuald. Friends may call at the McMAHON FUNERAL HOME, LUXEMBURG, 3:00 to 7:00 pm, Friday, June 10, 2011. Closing parish prayer service at 7:00 pm Friday with Pat Ratajczak, Pastoral Associate. Visitation will continue between 9:00 and 10:15am Saturday at St. Thomas The Apostle Church, Sugarbush. Funeral 10:30 am at the church with Rev. William O’Brien officiating. Burial in St. Hubert Cemetery Sugarbush. Online messages of sympathy and reflection may be sent to the Michiels family on the McMahon website www.mcmahonfh.com The family wishes to thank Unity Hospice and Bellin Cancer Center.