DeCleene, Victor

1921 - 2011  (90 years)    Has 6 ancestors and one descendant in this family tree.

• Name	DeCleene, Victor
  Born	9 Mar 1921
  Gender	Male
  Died	7 Jul 2011
  Obituary	11 Jul 2011
  Green Bay Press Gazette
  Victor "Vic" De Cleene, 90, De Pere, passed away peacefully at his home on July 7, 2011, surrounded by his family, following a short battle with leukemia. He was born on March 9, 1921, the son of William and Christine De Cleene, the fourth of 14 children. Vic served in World War II in the U.S. Army from 1942-1945, in a transportation division at Guadalcanal. Upon his return, Vic met the love of his life, Leona Patzke. They were married in 1947 and celebrated 63 wonderful years together being blessed with a very large circle of family and friends. After serving his country, Vic owned his own mason contracting company for 20 years. He then was employed by the State of Wisconsin as a building inspector until his retirement. Vic's compassion and enthusiasm for his community was demonstrated in all aspects of his life. He was an Alderman in De Pere for 20 years, ending his prolific career in his beloved city with the position of Mayor when his wife told him that if he ran for mayor again, he might as well keep on running. As a volunteer, he held a variety of positions in the De Pere Men's Club. He was also very active in the Knights of Columbus, holding the position of Grand Knight and remaining active throughout the rest of his life. As a veteran, he was passionate about his various roles in the VFW Club. Not only did Vic drive the Red Cross bus upon retirement for ten years, he also donated 24 gallons of blood. He devotedly delivered Meals on Wheels until three weeks prior to his death. Vic was also on the committee that initiated the MS Walk in Brown County. In spite of his rigorous volunteer schedule, Vic attended tri-weekly swim sessions at the YMCA. Vic's service to others was immeasurable and because of this, he was awarded the prestigious St. Norbert College Silver Knight Award in 1994. He is survived by his wife, Leona (Patzke) De Cleene; and his children, Eileen Miller, JoAnn (John) Werner, Bill (Judy) De Cleene, Larry (Barb) De Cleene, John (Lori) De Cleene, Vonnie (Larry) Voight and son-in-law, Bob Arvey. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Andrew, J. Jay, Andy (Trina), Buddy, Miranda, Craig (Andrea), John (Jessica), Jill, Jenna, Charlie (Autumn), Molly (Nate), Lee, Claire, John Jr., Neil, Stephanie and Stacie (Mike). Surviving great-grandchildren are Mason, Clayton, Brynndalynn, Bryce, Braylon, Will, Aiden, Ella, Madison, Jackson and Alice. Vic is further survived by his siblings, Rita Boucher, Sr. Mary De Cleene, SSND, Bernice Strenn, Loretta Verhasselt, Al (Joann) De Cleene, Helen Verhasselt, Sr. Vonnie De Cleene, SSND, Alice Morrell, Joyce De Cleene and Judy (Bob) Johanski. His surviving in-laws include Roy (Zelma) Patzke, Terrance (Rosemary) Patzke, Bob (Ceil) Patzke, LaVerne De Cleene, Carol Robillard, and Butch (Millie) Patzke. He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Vicki Arvey; son-in-law, Kenneth Miller; brothers, Howard, Harold and Leo; and several in-laws. Visitation for Vic will be on Monday, July 11, 2011, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Ryan Funeral Home, 305 N. Tenth St., De Pere. Visitation will continue on Tuesday, July 12, at 9 a.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 1305 Lourdes Ave., De Pere. Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10:30 a.m. with Father Tim Shillcox, O. Praem., and Deacon Mike Vander Bloomen officiating. A memorial fund has been established. Please go to www.ryanfh.com to express online condolences to the family. Vic's family wishes to extend their sincere appreciation to Unity Hospice, especially Theresa, Fr. Tim, Deacon Mike and Dr. Kelly Lynch. When you look up into the night sky and see a star twinkling, you will know our dad, our grandpa, our great-grandpa, our hero, is shining down upon us. Published in Green Bay Press-Gazette from July 10 to July 12, 2011
  News Mention	13 Jul 2011
  Former mayor DeCleene, 90, dies
  One-time De Pere mayor and longtime community activist Vic De Cleene died Thursday, July 7, at his home after a brief battle with leukemia. He was 90. De Cleene was an alderman in the city from 1964 to '76 and 1987 to '95. He became acting mayor in September 1995 after Nancy Nusbaum was elected Brown County executive, serving until her term expired in 1996. De Cleene retired from public office after that, but he continued to serve his community for more than a decade as an American Red Cross bus driver, Meals on Wheels volunteer and secretary of the De Pere Men's Club, among several activities. "He was all about making life easier for someone else," De Pere's Larry De Cleene, one of Vic's seven children, told the Green Bay Press-Gazette. "He delivered Meals on Wheels to people 20 years his junior." He received the Silver Knight Award from St. Norbert College in 1994 and initiated the Multiple Sclerosis Walk in Brown County in 1995 in honor of his daughter Vicki.
  Person ID	I194245	1FamilyTree
  Last Modified	12 Oct 2015

  
  

  Father	DeCleene, William,   b. 2 Aug 1892, De Pere, Brown, Wisconsin, USA ,   d. 13 Aug 1948, De Pere, Brown, Wisconsin, USA  (Age 56 years)
  Mother	Scray, Christine,   b. 30 Sep 1896,   d. 25 Jan 1962  (Age 65 years)
  Family ID	F65417	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	Patzke, Leona
  Children	1. DeCleene, Victoria M.,   b. 10 Jan 1956, Green Bay, Brown, Wisconsin, USA ,   d. 4 Jan 2008, Appleton, Outagamie, Wisconsin, USA  (Age 51 years)
  Last Modified	8 Jan 2015
  Family ID	F65982	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

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  DeCleene, Victor