- Schwerbell, Russell J. "Jack"
Russell Jack Schwerbell, age 88, passed away peacefully August 2, 2008, at Manor Care Nursing Home with his daughters by his side. Jack was born October 29, 1919, in Appleton, son of James and Henrietta Schwerbell. He proudly served in the 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment, Company E, which was attached to the 82nd Airborne Division during World War II. He landed in Normandy on D Day, was captured two days later and held as a POW at Stalag 4D, Torgau, Germany for over ten months. Private First Class Schwerbell, earned the presidential unit citation for the Normandy Invasion, the combat infantryman's badge, good conduct ribbon, pre-Pearl Harbor ribbon and European theater of operations ribbon with one battle star. Jack was a proud member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Harvey Pierre Post 2778 and actively involved with the POW Paratroopers Reunions. Upon returning to the United States he studied in Kansas to become a watchmaker. This short career was followed by apprenticing with his Dad in barbering. "Jack the Barber's" first shop was on Appleton Street and he later moved to his long time shop on Wisconsin Avenue. In later years his passions were woodworking, shooting pool and shooting the breeze.
Jack will be greatly missed by his loving wife of 30 years, Helen Quella Schwerbell; his daughters: Cheryl Roche and Jacque (Bill) Munger; stepchildren: George (Donna) Kloes, Thomas (Shirley) Kloes, Linda (Roy) Fleischman, Robert (Beth) Kloes. He is further survived by his grandchildren: Kevin and Cody Roche, Zachery Munger, David Kloes, Kelly Platteter, Dawn Cook, Jennifer Swanson, Jason Kloes, Stephanie Braatz, Patrick Kloes, Chris Fleischman, Jamie Behnke, Allison Marcks, Holly Kloes and Vincent Kloes. He is further survived by 17 great-grandchildren; in-laws: Robert (Betty) Sommers, Francis (Nan) Sommers, Mary Ann Sommers, Chester Refiniski, Jerome (Bernice) Quella, Mary Quella, Ben Quella, Sue (Bob) Lee and Ethel Dorn; his nephews and niece: Kent (Irene) Schwerbell, Steven (Laurel) Schwerbell, Susan Schwerbell; and many more nieces, nephews and friends.
In addition to his parents and his loving wife of 30 years Bernice (Sommers) Schwerbell, he was preceded in death by his son, two brothers and two sisters.
Funeral services for Jack will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, August 6, at Valley Funeral Home, 2211 N. Richmond St., Appleton, with the Rev. George Detweiler of First English Lutheran Church officiating. Visitation will be from 12 noon until the hour of service at the funeral home. There will be a procession to St. Peter and Paul Cemetery in Hortonville with full military honors and a 21 gun salute by members of VFW Post # 2778. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials on behalf of Jack be made to the Veterans of Foreign Wars or the National Alzheimer's Association.
The family would also like to thank the staff, nurses, doctors and caregivers at Manor Care Nursing Home for their kindness and patience. Also thank you to Heartland Hospice.
Jack, I will hold you in my heart always and love you forever,
Helen.
Dad, you cheated death so many times in your life. I always thought God had a special plan for you. Now I think His plan all along was for you to be there for us as our father. We love you and miss you, but will always carry with us your values and great memories. God speed,
Jacque.
Dad, you will be deeply missed because of your many talents, skills, and your extremely helpful and inventive nature. I will miss your wonderfully wry and corny sense of humor which can never be replaced. Fly free on your own wings, you've earned them. Love you Dad, you're our hero!
Cheryl.
VALLEY FUNERAL HOME
2211 N. Richmond St.
Appleton, WI 54911
920-733-5435
www.valleyfh.com
"Serving as would be Served"
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1919 - 2008 (88 years)
Military Service
