Obituary: Elroy V. Kocian

Elroy V. Kocian, age 83, of Wayside, passed away peacefully at Aurora Medical Center in Two Rivers after a short illness.

Elroy was born on October 27, 1940 in Green Bay, son of the late Victor and Evelyn (Sinkbiel) Kocian.  He attended Reedsville High School and served our county in the United States Army for 4 years where he was stationed in Germany.  Upon his return, he married Gloria Thiele at Zion Ev. Lutheran Church in Wayside on July 11, 1964.  Elroy was a member and very active with the Gosz Novak American Legion Post 199 of Reedsville.  He also served as a volunteer firefighter with the Wayside Fire Department.  He and Gloria owned and operated a dairy farm until retirement, but you still found him on the field, in the shop, in his brothers’ shop, and helping out after retirement.  Most days he was on his Allis-Chalmers WD-45 where we would pretty much do anything with it.  Elroy enjoyed hunting and fishing, and he would spend time up north at their land in Rhinelander with family and friends. 

Elroy is survived by his wife of almost 60 years, Gloria of Wayside; their sons and spouses: Kevin (Pam), Jeff (Brenda), Scott, and Jason, all of Wayside; grandchildren: Brittany (Alex) Gerdmann of Wrightstown, Craig of Green Bay, Jill of Oconto Falls, Alex of Menchalville, Hayden of Wayside, and Isabel of Reedsville; great-grandchildren: Nora and Jack Gerdmann; siblings and in-laws: Ronnie (Beverly) of Wayside, Judy (William “Whistle”) Decker of Reifs Mills, Billy (Valerie) of Wayside, and Larry (Liz) Thiele of Green Bay.  Nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends further survive. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; his father-in-law and mother-in-law: Harold and Erma Thiele; sister, three brothers-in-law and a sister-in-law: Marlene (Arthur) Schultz and Virgil (Iris) Thiele, and brother-in-law and best friend, Donald Kvitek

 A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 27, 2024 at Pielhop Wieting Funeral Home in Reedsville.  Officiating will be Rev. Kyle Wangelin.  Military Honors will be accorded by the AmVets Post 1032 and American Legion Post 199 of Reedsville. 

 Visitation will be at the funeral home on Saturday morning from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service. 

 In lieu of flowers, memorials are appreciated. 

 Online condolences may be made www.pielhopwieting.com

 The Pielhop Wieting Funeral Homes of Reedsville & Brillion are assisting the family with funeral arrangements.