Obit: Oldham, Walter "Bunny" (1934-2005)
Poster: Shari
Email: steppinwest@elknet.net
 

Walter 'Bunny' Oldham

Walter Oldham, 70, of Neillsville died Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2005, in the Emergency Room of Memorial Medical Center in Neillsville.

Walter "Bunny" Oldham was born Oct. 7, 1934, the son of Charles and Margaret (Dormandy) Oldham in rural Neillsville. Bunny attended school in Neillsville, and then drove a cattle truck. He then began working for the city of Neillsville in the Streets Department. Later he worked as a City Police Officer and eventually for the County Sheriff's Department as Captain of the traffic department. He retired in 1990 after 30 years in law enforcement. On June 23, 1956, Walter married Barbara Miller in Neillsville. She passed away Feb. 27, 1988. Bunny was involved with many civic and community service clubs in Neillsville, including the Lion's Club, the Men's Club and the Masonic Lodge. He was also on the State Highway Safety Board and on many other committees. He also served as a volunteer firefighter for many years. He was a member of the United Methodist Church and belonged to their Men's Club, and served on the church board as a trustee. Bunny was an avid outdoorsman who loved hunting, fishing, golfing and watching wildlife. Most special to him was his family and the times they spent together.

Walter is survived by his companion, Joan Zickert of Neillsville; his children, Kathryn (Kevin) Brugger of Neillsville, Dennis (Dixie) Oldham of Black River Falls, Shari (Raymond) Immerfall of Marshfield, Douglas (Susan) Oldham of Neillsville and Rhonda Kunhart of Neillsville; 11 grandchildren, Matthew Brugger, Melanie Breitung, John (RoxAnne) Oldham, Ryan Oldham, Philip Immerfall, Jamie Immerfall, Ashley Oldham, Amy Oldham, Mitchell Kunhart, Kyle Kunhart and Cody Kunhart; and seven great-grandchildren. He also is survived by 12 brothers and sisters, Gordon (Shirley) Oldham of Greenwood, Amanda Wampole of Thorp, Betty (Edgar) Ott of Ripon, Dick (Paulette) Oldham of Viroqua, Wayne "Bill" (Lucille) Oldham of Neillsville, June (Jack) Kluckhohn of Neillsville, Bonnie (Bill) Mitte of Neillsville, Ronald "Dusty" (Lois) Oldham of Granton, Frank (Charlotte) Oldham of Neillsville, Kenneth (Nancy) Oldham of Black River Falls, Donna (Jeffrey) Siltala of Marshfield and Donald "Chester" (Ann) Oldham of Granton.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara; a son, Gary; a brother, Marvin; and his parents.

Funeral services for Bunny will be held at 11 a.m. today at Gesche Funeral Home in Neillsville. Pastor Craig Conklin will officiate. Music will be provided by Eileen Zank, organist and Jodi Rueth, soloist. Interment will be in Neillsville City Cemetery. Pallbearers are Mark Cattanach, Dan Patey, Jeff Klieforth, Chuck Glassbrenner, Duane Peterson and Tim Betz.

Visitation was from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday and from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. today at the funeral home.

Memorials may be directed to the family for designation at a later date.