Obituaries

VERONA- Robert Frederick "Bob" Feller of Verona, died Wednesday, October 28, 2015, with his son by his side. Bob was born April 25, 1921, to Fred and Bertha Feller. He was raised on the family farm just south of Verona. Upon graduation from Verona High School in 1939, he joined the United States Navy.
After his basic and training as a Radioman, he was stationed at the U.S. Naval Base, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, aboard the USS Oglala, the flagship ship of the Mine Division of the Pacific Fleet. He was onboard ship on the morning of December 7, 1941, just coming off his shift as Radioman and going to get ready to attend church service. As he was making his way down the quarterdeck he saw a plane coming low right toward the Oglala. He saw the Rising Sun on the wing and assumed it was going to open with machine guns, so Bob hit the stairs to go below deck. He always said he did not remember hitting even one step as he slid down the handrails. The plane actually dropped a torpedo that went under the Oglala and exploded upon impact with the USS Helena. The explosion was so powerful it ruptured the hull of the Oglala without being hit. That day and the camaraderie with other survivors was an important part of Bob's life. Bob served the rest of the war maintaining electronic equipment at Navy Pacific headquarters at Pearl City, Hawaii. Bob was honorably discharged December 11, 1946. He enlisted in the Naval Reserve in January 1947. In 1954 he joined the Active Naval Reserves until his retirement in April 1970 at the rank of Chief Petty Officer.

He began his apprenticeship as an electrician in Madison, January 1947 until his retirement in 1985. Bob was a member of Salem United Church of Christ, Verona and served on the board to construct their new church. He served many years on the Verona Volunteer Fire Department and was active in the VFW and American Legion until moving to Merrimac in his retirement.
Bob enjoyed living on Lake Wisconsin; traveling and growing old with his wife, Jean; spending time with his sons and grandkids; watching, and cheering on (and voicing frustration when needed), the Brewers, Packers and Badger Football.

Bob was survived by his three loving sons, Bob and his wife, Misty, of Verona, Gene of Waipahu, Hawaii, and Roger of Verona; Bob Sr. loved and adored his three grandchildren, Nathan, Samantha and Jack. Bob also has a step-family of Anne (Jerry) Rotar, Guy (Pam) Gust with step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He is also survived by many nieces and nephews who loved Uncle Bob; and sister-in-law, Valeria Feller.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Rosie, of Hawaii; his second wife and mother of his three boys, Phylis (nee Zingg); his third wife, Jean; and his siblings, Edwin, Harold, Pearl Bovre/Fritz and Donald.

Bob was very thankful for the opportunity and great experience of going on a Badger Honor Flight with his son, Roger, in 2010.
His sons would like to express their appreciation to the staff at Willow Pointe Assisted Living, Dr. Sorber and Bob's Caregivers from Agrace Hospice.

Please consider donations in remembrance to either Badger Honor Flight or Agrace Hospice.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 31, 2015, at SALEM UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST, 501 Mark Drive, Verona, with the Rev. Dr. Mark Yurs presiding. Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. until the time of service at the church on Saturday. Burial will follow at Verona Cemetery.

To view and sign this guestbook, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com
Ryan Funeral Home
& Cremation Service
Verona Chapel
220 Enterprise Drive
608-845-6625