MELVIN POESCHL's Obituary
Melvin W. Poeschl
Melvin W. Poeschl, age 90, of Oshkosh, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 4, 2018. He was born on January 8, 1928, son of Rudolph and Antonia (Loos) Poeschl. On January 29, 1948, he married Mary Jean Gibson of Fond du Lac.
Mel was a man of many talents. He served in the US Marine Corps from 1945-49 and was a sergeant at discharge. Among many other ventures, he worked at US Motors as draftsman and production manager, and for 15 years at the Buckstaff Company as salesman, manager and director of sales until 1971. He then started his own printing business, Poeschl Printing, and later joined his brother Tom at Poeschl Manufacturing, specializing in building piano benches.
He taught us to work hard, enjoy good fun, and treasure family. He not only built with his own hands, but also designed three of their homes and with his brothers a family cottage.
He modeled bravery, determination, and frugality, and was into reusing and repurposing before those words became popular. An old crooked nail could be straightened with a hammer and would be as good as new. His grandchildren marveled at hearing of his latest inventions, usually made of something he had held on to just in case he might need it. He had a no-nonsense practical approach to problem-solving – examine the possibilities and choose the best option.
Mel and Jean enjoyed good times with friends, especially with their long-time Buckstaff friends and with new friends found while spending many winters in their Florida home.
Mel was a life-long member of Sacred Heart Parish, now St. Jude the Apostle. He valued education and with Jean sacrificed to send their children to Catholic grade school and high school.
Mel is survived by his wife of 69 years Mary Jean Poeschl, Oshkosh; daughter Susan (Robert) Knobloch, Oshkosh, son Steven Poeschl, Winneconne, daughter Mary (John) Whitman, Appleton; grandchildren Lynne (Carl) Fedders, Leanne (David) Schug, Kelly (Stephen) Sturm, Kristi Knobloch, Barbara (Matthew) McDonough, James Knobloch, Rebecca (Michael) Marangelli, Stephanie Poeschl, Kate (Paul) Nicolaus, and Emily Whitman; fifteen great-grandchildren; sister-in-law Margaret Poeschl; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by stillborn son William; his parents Rudolph and Antonia Poeschl; brothers and sisters-in-law Herbert and Maureen, Elmer and Dorothy (Pat), Rudolph Jr. and Dorothy, and Thomas Poeschl; sisters and brothers-in-law Dorothy (Hank) Stein, Josephine (Vern) Potratz, Mildred (Robert) Lyons, and Mary (Kenneth) Beahm; and stillborn great-granddaughter Anna Sturm.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday February 9, at 11:00 AM in St Jude the Apostle Catholic Church (Sacred Heart worship site) with the Revs Jerry Pastors and William Van deKreeke co-celebrating. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery. Family and friends may call at the church on Friday from 9:30 AM until the hour of services
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