Calvin D. Moely
Calvin Diehl Moely, 82, beloved husband, father, and grandfather passed away peacefully, surrounded by family and his pastor on September 28th, 2018 at the Agnesian Hospice Home of Hope in Fond du Lac.
Cal Moely was born October 27th, 1935 in Madison, WI to Diehl and Mildred (Schoephoester) Moely. He attended no less than 4 one-room schoolhouses and graduated from Prairie du Sac High School. He attended North Central College and earned a degree in music education. He later completed his Masters of Education in Music at the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh. Cal served his country in the Army as a Chaplain’s Assistant and organist while stationed at Fort Ord, California.
He then began a long and successful career as the band instructor and director at L.P. Goodrich High School in Fond du Lac for 27 years. During his tenure, the Goodrich Bands represented Fond du Lac and Wisconsin in two Presidential Inaugurals, and numerous concert band tours domestic and abroad. Goodrich Bands and the Fond du Lac Music Department hosted visits, clinics, and collaborative performances by many world-famous musicians and composers. Cal was instrumental in making those visits occur, much to the benefit of the students and the greater community. During his summers, he was a rehearsal director and tour director for Performing Arts Abroad. He chaperoned thousands of high school students from all over the United States throughout Europe for over 20 summers.
Cal was also a church organist, choir director, and music coordinator for the Plymouth Congregational Church UCC and Pilgrim United Church of Christ for a total of 54 years, up until this past July. He enjoyed working with numbers and put that to good use as a tax preparer for H&R Block for 25 years.
He married Marie (Lammert) Geidel on July 12th, 1980 at the First Lutheran Church in Janesville, WI. She survives him and misses him dearly. They enjoyed 46 ship cruises together in most oceans of the world. Their favorite, the Caribbean, was visited most often. Cal was an avid motorcyclist and logged well over 100,000 miles during his 30 years of riding. Cal and Marie enjoyed 38 years of marriage and he was often heard saying that “Marie is still my best friend”.
Also surviving Cal are children: Greg (Joan) Moely of Reedsburg, Todd Moely of Fond du Lac, Christine (Robert) Steinert of Fond du Lac, and Laura (Richard) Thomas of Raleigh, North Carolina. Grandchildren: Jillian of Philadelphia, Thomas of LaCrosse, Michael of Reedsburg, Steven of Verona, Stephanie (Ben) Reuter of Fond du Lac, and Sophie and Carys of Raleigh. A brother Donald (Eloise) Moely of Stevensville, Michigan, and a nephew Michael Moely of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. He was preceded in death by his parents, and niece Donelle Moely Bronstein.
The family wishes to thank the nurses and staff at Hospice Home of Hope for the compassionate care given to him during the last two weeks of his life. They provided a wonderful level of comfort and assistance to Cal and his family that is truly appreciated. A true blessing…
VISITATION: Family and friends may visit from 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 20, 2018 at Pilgrim United Church of Christ, 535 Stow Street, Fond du Lac.
SERVICE: A memorial service celebrating Cal’s life will be conducted at 2:00 P.M., Saturday, October 20th, 2018 at Pilgrim United Church of Christ in Fond du Lac. Pastor Ted Drewsen will be the celebrant.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Pilgrim UCC or Agnesian Hospice Home of Hope.
The Kurki-Mach Funeral Chapel, Fond du Lac, is assisting the family with arrangements.