Vernon G. Oswald, age 78, of rural Whitelaw, passed away peacefully with his family at his side on Wednesday, October 28, 2015 at River's Bend Health & Rehabilitation Center of Manitowoc.Vern was born on January 11, 1937 in the township of Franklin, son of the late Charles and Anna (Kabat) Oswald. He attended the Sunny Slope School and Valders High School. On July 18, 1959 Vern was married to the former Shirley M. Naidl at St. Anne Catholic Church, Francis Creek. She preceded him in death on December 3, 2007.Vern owned and operated his own mason business known as Vern Oswald Masonry until his retirement in 2007. He worked on many homes in Manitowoc County and the surrounding area and he provided his customers with fine craftsmanship. Vern also farmed on the family farm and he passed on the ethic of hard work to his sons. In his spare time he enjoyed trapping, fur buying, making homemade sausage, picking mushrooms, picking stones, watching the Packers and an occasional visit to the casino. His biggest enjoyment was being on the farm, caring for the animals or working in the fields planting or harvesting crops. Vern enjoyed being behind the wheel of a John Deere tractor.Vern was a life long member of St. Augustine Parish, Reifs Mills and served as a former trustee, usher, and was the treasurer of St. Augustine Cemetery Association. He was a charter member and former president, vice-president and trail boss of the Inland Snowblazers Snowmobile Club. Vern served on the zoning board for the town of Franklin for several years and was a former member of the Master Builders Association of Manitowoc County.He is survived by his three sons and daughters-in-law: Jeff (Sandy) Oswald, Whitelaw; Rick (Cindy) Oswald, Manitowoc; Dean (Mary) Oswald, Menomonee Falls; thirteen grandchildren: Derek (Shannon) Oswald; Cody Oswald and his special friend; Dayna Pearson; Jason Chrest and his special friend: Jessica Rosado; Mark Chrest; Mary Rasmussen; Sam Oswald; Earl Oswald; Andrew Oswald; Ben Oswald; Maggie Oswald; Olivia Oswald; Emma Oswald; Matthew Oswald; one great granddaughter: Audrey Rasmussen; one brother and sister-in-law: Charles (Shirley) Oswald, Manitowoc; one sister: Gladys Bergquist, Manitowoc; two sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: Beverly (George) Shavlik Jr., Whitelaw; Susan (Robert) Hastreiter, Whitelaw; Vern's special friend: Shirley Hodas, who could always make him smile; his dog and loyal companion: Reba; and his two best friends: Gene Preston and Marvin Krejcarek, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends also survive. He was preceded in death by his parents: Charles and Anna Oswald; his loving wife: Shirley Oswald; one brother and sister-in-law: Milton (Rose) Oswald; father-in-law and mother-in-law: George and Marion Naidl; three brothers-in-law and one sister-in-law: John Bergquist; Roy Naidl; Bob (Lily Ann) Naidl. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 31, 2015 at the St. Augustine Parish, Reifs Mills. The Rev. David Pleier will celebrate the Mass of Christian Burial with burial to follow in the parish cemetery.

Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter Oct 30 2015