William "Bill" Ceelen's Obituary
William “Bill” Ceelen age 81 of Oshkosh passed away April 26, 2018. He was born March 7, 1937 in Oshkosh son of William and Ann (Harnitz) Ceelen. March 3, 1962 he married Joyce Nielsen. Bill graduated from Oshkosh High in 1955. He attended Northern Michigan University on a football scholarship. He graduated from UW Oshkosh with his Masters Degree in Education and Special Ed. Bill taught at Winnebago Mental Health Institute for 34 years.
An avid outdoorsman, Bill enjoyed fishing almost daily during the summer, and also enjoyed deer hunting by his “home” up north. Gardening was another passion. He grew enough pumpkins to sell at the roadside. Always a hard working, energetic person. He was an official for WIAA for over 30 years.
Bill is survived by his wife of 56 years; Joyce Ceelen, his four sons who he loved and was very proud of, as well as his grandchildren; Paul (Karen) of Minnesota, their children; Maddy, Sydney, and Brie. John (DeAnn) of Mequon, their children; Natalie and Matthew. Andrew of Wauwatosa. Billy (Holly) of McFarland, their children; Ella and Paige. Bill is further survived by his sisters; Diane Schmidt, Grace Sawyer, Rosemary (Jim) Scheuermann, Pat (Lynn) Kraus. Brother; Tony (Patti) Ceelen. Brother-in-law; Ralph (Dolly) Nielsen. Sister-in-law; Pauline Gauger, Mary Jane (Dennis) Shebesta, Sue (Bob) Samer, and Emily Nielsen, and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
Bill is preceded in death by his parents, brother; Hank, sisters; Charlotte Bruss, Beatrice Getchel, and Jeanne Grable, Brothers-in-law; Harold Nielsen, Larry Gauger, Herman Schmidt, Carl Sawyer, and Ray Grable, and sister-in-law; Audrey Ceelen.
The Mass of Christian Burial for Bill will be held on Thursday May 3, 2018 at 11 am in St. Jude Parish (Sacred Heart) located at 519 Knapp Street Oshkosh, WI 54902. Father Matt Simonar will be the celebrant. A time of visitation will be held from 9 am until the time of Mass on Thursday at the church. The burial will be held on Thursday May 3, 2018 at 2pm at Sacred Heart Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers the family asks for contributions to the Keep Matthew Ceelen Strong Osteosarcoma fund c/o BMO Harris 201 North Main Street Thiensville, WI 53092 or https://www.gofundme.com/keepmatthewstrong
Dad, your family learned the value of hard work from watching you. You said never, never quit.
Thank you to Heartland Hospice, especially Dani and Christine, and to our wonderful neighbors, especially Mike and Dawn.
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