Obituary: Herbert Gill, Jr. - Class of 1948

WESTPORT/ WAUNAKEE - Herbert Gill Jr., age 75, died at his home, surrounded by his family, after a long, hard-fought battle with a blood disease on Sunday, May 8, 2005. He was born on Dec. 13, 1929. A longtime Madison resident, Herb graduated Central High in 1948. He was drafted by the U.S. Army in 1948, where he was stationed in Fort Sill, Okla., for two years. A believer of hard work, he started working at the Memorial Union as a cafeteria server at age 16. He continued to work for the University of Wisconsin until he retired in 1990. He ended his career there after managing the property management department, where he worked for 15 years. On May 16, 1959, he married Dolores Holmes. Herb was a devoted Badgers and Packers football fan. Together, Herb and Dolores enjoyed watching football and traveling to the out of town Badgers games. He was an avid bowler for many years in two leagues at Dream Lanes and Waun-A-Bowl. In 1976, the family moved to Westport. He was a member of the American Legion, Post No. 360 of Waunakee, the Knights of Columbus, Post No. 6460 of DeForest, where he participated in many fundraising activities. Herb is survived by his caring wife, Dolores; and their four children, Kathy (Rick) Herbrand, of Onalaska, Chris (Bob) Bischel of DeForest, Pat (Kelly), of Madison, and Lisa (fiance, Chad Pierick), DeForest; and eight grandchildren, Michael, Michelle, and Amanda Herbrand, Adam and Anna Bischel, and Keaton, Presley, and Kallen Gill. He is also survived by his three siblings, Dorothy (Arnie) Miller, of Madison, Donna (Jim) Grahn, of Madison, and Bob (Mary Lou) Gill of Madison; and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Herbert Gill Sr. and Lucille (Schmitz) Gill. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. MARY'S OF THE LAKE CATHOLIC CHURCH, 5460 Mary Lake Road, Westport/ Waunakee, at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 12, 2005, with Father Daniel Finnane officiating. Burial will be at Roselawn Memorial Park Cemetery. A visitation will be held at RYAN FUNERAL HOME, 2418 Sherman Ave., Madison, on Wednesday, May 11, 2005, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. and then again at church on Thursday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of mass. The family would like to extend their gratitude to the Hospice staff, Dr. Prendergast and his staff at the Dean Clinic, the nurses at St. Marys Hospital and the many people who have donated blood. In lieu of flowers, the family requests making donations to preferred charities in his memory. Herb will be greatly missed by his family and his many kind and caring friends. Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Services 2418 N. Sherman Ave. (608) 249-8257

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on May 10, 2005