Victor Keitel

Victor O. Keitel

Victor O. Keitel, age 89, residing at Libby's House East, Plymouth, died the morning of Friday, June 27, 2014.

Victor was born in Sheboygan on January 29, 1925, a son of the late Arno and Alice (Oehler) Keitel. He attended St. Paul's Lutheran school and graduated from North High School, class of 1942. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II in the European Theatre for two years as a machine gunner in the 480th AAA BN. His honorable discharge showed he earned the European African Middle Eastern Theatre ribbon with two battle stars (Normandy and Northern France), the Victory Medal, three overseas service bars and a good conduct medal. He also received a "special Diploma" from the French government for his part in liberating France.

On July 23, 1949, Victor was united in marriage to Audrey L. Klunk at Trinity Lutheran Church, Sheboygan. They would have been married 65 years in July. Following their wedding, Audrey and Vic joined Bethlehem Lutheran Church and have been active members. Vic served on the school board, board of elders and board of trustees.

Following his military service, he worked for the H.C. Prange bakery until he was sworn into office as a patrolman with the Sheboygan Police Department on December 16, 1946. He always enjoyed being a member of the department and during his 42 1/2 years tenure was promoted on Jan. 4, 1956 to Detective, April 30, 1963 to Captain of the second shift uniform division, February 4, 1964 to Captain of the Criminal Investigation Division, June 30, 1977 Inspector of the CID, February 1, 1978 Acting Chief, May 30, 1978 as Chief of the Sheboygan Police Department, a position he held for 11 year until his retirement on June 9, 1989. During his years on the department he received the following awards: 1979 Optimist Clubs Law Enforcement Award for distinguished and dedicated service, 1980 United Military Association Award for service to Sheboygan's Veterans, 1989 Sheboygan Kiwanis Club's Distinguished Community Service Award as the Citizen of the Year, 1989 Sheboygan Jaycees Outstanding Leadership Award, and the 1989 Wisconsin Department of Justice Attorney General's Special Acknowledgment for over 42 years of dedicated service to Wisconsin Law Enforcement. One of Vic's favorite memories was being chosen to attend the FBI National Academy in Washington, D.C. and the graduation ceremonies on May 29, 1968 which was attended by Audrey and their two children, James and Vicki.

Vic is a life member of the Wisconsin Chiefs of Police Association, Inc., a member of the Wisconsin F.B.I. National Academy Association, former member of the International Chief of Police Association, a life member of the Wisconsin Professional Police Association, former member of the Sheboygan Parking and Transit Utility and a member of the Sheboygan County Retired Law Officers Association. Vic also served on the boards of The Abode and Fresh Start, Inc.

Vic loved the outdoors and enjoyed fishing and pheasant hunting. He enjoyed showing his children and grandchildren the pleasures of both sports. Vic took pride in his home and property. Vic loved to watch the Packers, Bucks, Brewers, and Wisconsin teams play their games on TV. He especially loved to watch his granddaughter, Lindsey play soccer, volleyball and basketball at Plymouth High School, as he also played volleyball and basketball in his youth.

In addition to his devoted wife Audrey, Vic is survived by his much loved children and grandchildren: son James Allen Keitel of Millhome, daughter Vicki Lynn (Perie) Villani of Plymouth, grandchildren Allen James Keitel of New Holstein, Heather Ann (Matt) Mueller of Sheboygan, Daniel John (Crystal) Steinhardt of Plymouth, Lindsey Joy Steinhardt of Plymouth, and great-grandsons Austin David Mueller of Sheboygan, Easton John and Lawson Lee Steinhardt and step-great-grandson Mason Brill-Meerdink of Plymouth, and step grandchildren, P.J. Villani of Madison, and Casey Villani of Bloomington, MN. Also surviving, are his brother and sister-in-law Jack (Joan) Keitel, sister-in-law Lois Klunk of Sheboygan and sister-in-law Janice Keitel of Surprise, Arizona. He was preceded in death by a brother Daniel Keitel, sister-in-law Arline Justin and brothers-in-law Richard Klunk and Thomas Justin.

Funeral service will be held 7:00 p.m. Tuesday July 1, 2014 at the Reinbold-Novak Funeral Home, 1535 S. 12th Street, Sheboygan with the Rev. Alan Kubow, associate pastor of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, officiating. Visitation will be held on Tuesday at the funeral home from 5:00 p.m. until the time of service.

Private family entombment will take place at the Garden Terrace Mausoleum with VFW Post #9156 according military honors.

In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established in his name for Bethlehem Lutheran Church.

Vic's family wishes to extend a special thank you to the dedicated staff at Libby's House East and St. Nicholas Hospice for all their loving care shown to our dad.