Kachur, Neal

Neil Gordon Kachur, 85, Iola, died on March 20, 2011, at Iola Living Assistance, after a several month struggle with myelodysplasia, a bone marrow disorder. Mr. Kachur was born December 17, 1925, in Chicago, to John N. Kachur and Lillian G. Gordon, both deceased. He lived in Chicago until 1953, when he moved to Nelsonville, WI. He then lived in Iola from 1979 until the time of his death. He married Dorothy Klamm on July 10, 1948, and had four children. Dorothy and Neil divorced in 1971. On September 1, 1979, he married Diana Waller (Dettlaff). During World War II Neil was a member of the U.S. Army 100th Infantry Division in France and southern Germany. He received the Bronze Star with the V for valor, as well as the Oak Leaf Cluster for distinguished service. The war was a defining chapter for his generation, and his service shaped the rest of his life. He was active in the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars until his last months, and in April 2010 he joined his comrades on the Old Glory Honor Flight to see the World War II Memorial in Washington, DC. Over the years he had a wide array of work experiences. He worked in the parts department at Waupaca Foundry for over 30 years. He retired at 69. Survivors of Mr. Kachur include his wife, Diana, children Janet (Lee) Geronime, Watersmeet, MI; Dawn (Steve) Ehli, Lafayette, CO; Paul Kachur, Sioux Falls, SD; Gail (Paul) Salazar, Arvada, CO; stepdaughters Deb (Dale) Thompson, Iola, Roberta Waller, Iola, Carla (Jeff) Moore, Merrill, and Pamela (Zealand) Rider, Iola; brother Clifford Kachur, Athens, GA, and sister, Audrey Bigos, Berwyn, IL. He also had grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces, and cousins. Neil was a faithful provider, a man of integrity, a servant to his community and to his church, Our Savior’s Lutheran, in Iola. He was an avid reader and learner, family historian, handyman, stamp collector, and a prolific teller of stories. Ole and Lena always seemed to show up when Neil was around. Funeral services will be at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Iola on Friday March 25th, 2011 at 11:30 AM The family will receive visitors at the Voie Funeral Home in Iola, on Thursday, March 24, 2011 from 5-7 PM. and at church on Friday from 10:30 until the time of the service. Interment will be in the Nelsonville Lutheran Cemetery in the Town of New Hope, Portage County, Wisconsin. In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be given to Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum, P.O. Box 379, Decorah, IA 52101, Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Iola, or Old Glory Honor Flight, 4650 West Spencer St., Appleton, WI 54914. Register Book and online condolences may be sent by visiting www.voiefuneralhome.com