Lowell James Oberle, husband, father of six, and former Shawano Paper Mill worker died on Friday, November 3, 2017. He was 85.
Lowell “Jim” was born in Shawano on March 3, 1932 to the late Raymond E. and Gladys M. (Gallagher) Oberle. The family first lived near the Shawano Community Hospital, but moved to 707 Maiden Lane after building a house next to Jim’s grandparents, Ernst and Ella Oberle. Jim grew up in the 30’s and 40’s, taking care of his chickens, hunting and fishing, and enjoying summers and family events at their cottage on the east shore of Shawano Lake.
Jim attended Shawano High School, graduating in 1950. When he discovered he was about to be drafted into the military service, he volunteered for the Air Force and was stationed in France as an MP during the Korean conflict. Jim was honorably discharged in May, 1955. He returned to Shawano and met Joan Lou Berton, a waitress at the Janke’s restaurant just west of the Shawano Paper Mill.
Jim and Joan were married on October 22, 1955 at the Sacred Heart Rectory, and had six children in the 1960’s and 1970’s. The one thing Jim instilled in his children was his work ethic. Providing for a family of eight, Jim worked at Hotz’s in his early 20’s, part time at Weber’s, and at the Shawano Paper Mill for 37 years, retiring in 1996. His hobbies included watching college and NFL football, football, and football. He was also a great lover of animals and flowers.
Lowell James Oberle is survived by his wife of 62 years, Joan; his children, Michael (Sylvia) Oberle of Shawano, Steven (partner Connie) Oberle of Bayfield, Cheryl (John) LeMere of Green Bay, Wendy (Steve) Esch of Shawano, Mary (fiancé Brian) Bartz of Shawano, and Thomas (Linda) Oberle of Algoma; his grandchildren, Luke (Betsy) Wallace of Dubuque, IA, Logan Wallace of Shawano, Sara, Emma, Elizabeth, and Clayton Esch of Shawano, Brandon Oberle of Portland, OR, Chelsea and David LaPratt of Shawano, Jasmine Bartz of Shawano, and Zack and Jarrett Oberle of Shawano; his great-grandchild, Kennedy Wallace of Dubuque; and his brother, Jerry (Marge) Oberle of Whitewater. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his granddaughter, Janel Oberle.
A funeral service for Jim will be held on Thursday, November 9, 2017 at 12:30 PM at Mickelson Funeral Home in Shawano. Visitation will begin at 10:30. Full military honors will be conducted following the service at the funeral home. Private family entombment will be in the Sacred Heart Mausoleum in Shawano.
Mickelson Funeral & Cremation Service of Shawano is assisting the family with arrangements. Please share online condolences at www.mickelsonfs.com.
“The family would like to extend a sincere thank you to the ThedaCare Medical Center-Shawano staff, Shawano Ambulance, and the ThedaCare Hospice staff.”
