Gilbert P. Thiel Winneconne, Wisconsin Gilbert P. Thiel, 92, of Winneconne died peacefully on Nov. 13, 2009, at the Omro Care Center. He was born June 12, 1917, in the Town of Woodville, Calumet County, Wisconsin. Gilbert was a WWII veteran having served with the 1st Infantry, the Big Red One. He made first landings at North Africa, Sicily, and Omaha Beach in Normandy, France. Gilbert was awarded the Silver Star for his heroic action of single handedly shooting down a plane at Kasserine Pass, North Africa. In 1947 he married the former Hazel Jones, his "Miss England", at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, St John in Calumet County. The couple met while Gilbert was stationed in England. Gilbert was a 1935 graduate of Hilbert High School and graduated from Actual Business College, Appleton in 1937. In high school he was the only student driving to school and took pleasure in riding the teachers around town during noon hour. Gilbert was known for his exceptional mathematical and scientific abilities. He had one of the first permits for solar energy in Wisconsin. Gilbert built an early example of a snowmobile as well as several boats including an inboard cabin cruiser. He was a charter member of the Winneconne Knights of Columbus and was a 4th degree member. He was member of the American Legion, and was past commander of the Sherwood American Legion. Gilbert was a member of St Mary Catholic Church, Winneconne and served as an usher. By trade he was an electrician employed by Langstadt Electric in Neenah for 24 years, later supervised major electrical construction projects through out the state until he retired. Gilbert was member of the IBEW 577 serving as financial secretary and a member of the executive board. He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed playing cards, traveling, tinkering in the garage and dancing. He won many dancing contests, especially for the fox trot. Before moving to the Winneconne area in 1977, he lived in Sherwood, Wisconsin. Gilbert is survived by his wife of 62 years, Hazel; a son, Martin (Julie) Thiel, Green Bay; daughters, Paula (Lee) Birkholz, Appleton; Susanne Thiel McGovern, Madison; Jolene (Steve) Lager, Minnesota; Janet Boucher, DePere; Lisa Thiel, California; Renee (Wayne) Morgan, Oshkosh; his sister, Sally Thelen, Manitowoc; sister-in-law, Chris Day, Cornwall, England; twelve grandchildren; six great-grand-children; one step-grandchild; and special family friends, Brandy Fish and Charlie White. Preceding him in death were his parents, Joseph & Mary (Lauer) Thiel; son, John; brother, Alex; sisters, Verona Jenny, Walberga "Bob" Mueller, Del Herbeck, Laura Nash, MaryAnn Foxgrover, and Sr. Rita Thiel; seven brothers-in-law; one sister-in-law; one son-in-law, and one daughter-in-law. A Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, November 18, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church, 210 Pleasant Dr. Winneconne, with Rev. Jason Blahnik and Sharon Baker officiating. Burial with military honors will be in the St. Thomas Cemetery, Town of Poygan. A Visitation for family and friends will be on Wednesday at the church from 9:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. at which time a Knights of Columbus Service will be held. Mueller Funeral Home 904 E. Main St. P.O. Box 250 Winneconne, WI 54986 (920) 582-4242 Please submit online condolences to www.muellerfuneralhomeinc.com