Friday, September 16, 2011

Eual Willard Bodenbach

Eual W. Bodenbach, 88, passed away September 16, 2011, peacefully in hospice care.

Eual was born in Shawneetown, Illinois, on November 8, 1922, to Raleigh and Edna (nee: Porter) Bodenbach. He grew up in Ferndale, Michigan, and graduated from Lincoln High School. Eual served in the United States Army Air Force as Crew Chief for B-17 bombers during WWII, stationed at Sioux City Army Air Base in Sioux City, Iowa. On February 18, 1946, he was united in marriage to Arline M. Tool, whom he met at a USO dance while stationed in Sioux City, Iowa.

He was employed by Massey Ferguson in Detroit, Michigan, and was transferred to Racine in 1954. When Ferguson left Racine, Eual worked for J.I. Case Company. Through down-sizing, Eual went to work for the Town of Mt. Pleasant as Coordinator and retired from that position in 1987. Eual attended the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee for Business and Finance.

He was an active member of Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, serving on several committees and ushering . He also served on the board of the Women’s Resource Center and the United Cerebral Palsy Board.

Eual was a natural athlete who participated in fast-pitch softball, horseshoes, bowling and golf. He also enjoyed watching football and golf. Eual enjoyed his family and friends and always had a joke to share. He will be remembered and missed by many.

Survivors include his loving wife of 65 years, Arline; his children, Linda (Don) Clarke of Racine, Thom Bodenbach of Racine, Paul (Jayne) Bodenbach of Union, KY, Debora (Rick) Bublitz of Vancouver, WA;  grandchildren, Tim Nelson of Sheboygan, Dan (Sarah) Nelson of Racine, Matt Bodenbach of Racine, Phil Bodenbach of Racine, Kate Bublitz of Las Vegas, NV; great-grandchildren Makayla and Hannah Nelson of Racine, Tony Sabala of Ojai, CA, and Aaron Nelson of Racine. He was preceded in death by his father, Raleigh; mother, Edna; brothers, George, Jewel and Junior; and sisters, Thelma Colclasure and Wilma Pegg.

Memorial service will be held at Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, on Tuesday, September 20, 2011, at 11 a.m. with Dr. M. A. Miritz officiating. Relatives and friends are invited to meet the family at the church on Tuesday from 10 a.m. until the time of service. A private military burial will be held at Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery . The family has suggested memorials to Salvation Army, Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, Hospice Alliance of Kenosha or a charity of your choice.

The family would like to give special thanks to Hospice Alliance for their kind and compassionate care of Eual.

Wilson Funeral Home
1212 Lathrop Ave., Racine 262-634-3361

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