Gilbert J. Schoen
Gilbert J. “Gib” Schoen Jr., age 75, of Appleton, died on May 25, 2020, at University Hospital in Madison. He was born November 27, 1944 in Appleton son of Gilbert and Lucille (Hemauer) Schoen. Gib grew up in Stockbridge and his parents owned and operated the Harbor Bar. He had many fond memories of growing up on Lake Winnebago, in the dance hall of the bar where they had wedding receptions, and the bowling alley down in the basement. Gilbert graduated from Stockbridge High School in 1963.
Gib fell in love with his high school sweetheart, Donna Sell. They married on August 26, 1967 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Stockbridge. They started a family and eventually moved to Kimberly. Gib worked for Thilmany Paper in Kaukauna for 46 years as a Lab Technician until his retirement. He loved sports and played baseball and softball for years and also spent time helping coach youth baseball in Kimberly. The tall southpaw could throw batting practice for hours.
After his retirement, golfing became his primary hobby often playing 5-6 days each week. He had a long time membership at the High Cliff Golf Course in Sherwood. Many days you could find him relaxing and walking the links with Donna, watching and feeding the birds, manicuring the yard or simply chatting with people. He was a dedicated Badger fan after watching his children attend UW Madison and going to the Rose Bowl in 1994. He loved being outside whenever possible and was happiest on the golf course or on a beach and near the water. He greatly adored his two granddaughters and spent countless hours chasing them around the yard, watering down slip and slide or riding the rides at Bay Beach with them.
Gib will be greatly missed and always remembered by his smile, his warm and welcoming personality and the family man he was. Survivors include his wife, Donna; his son, Scott (Erin) Schoen; granddaughters that he adored, Caroline and Margot, sisters: JoAnn (Robert) Nadau, Mary (Michael) Karls, Nancy Schoen; brothers: Robert (Lois) Schoen, Tom (Denise) Schoen, and Steve (Diane) Schoen; brothers and sisters in-law: Diana (David) Burnett, Ted (Shirley) Sell, Karen (Chuck) Ott, and Dick (Kim) Sell.
Gib was preceded in death by his daughter, Sherry Schoen in 1990, his parents, and brother, Jerry Schoen.
Funeral Services will be at 6:30 PM on Wednesday, June 3, 2020 at Wieting Family Funeral Home in Chilton (411 W Main St.). Burial will be in the Holy Name Catholic Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home from 2:30 PM to 6:15 on Wednesday, June 3, 2020 for public gathering.
A memorial fund has been established in name of Gilbert J. Schoen. The family would also like to the thank the team and staff at UW Madison for all their care.