Alton E. "Al" Eirschele

Alton "Al" Edwin Eirschele, 90 of Tomah passed away on Tuesday, January 9, 2024, at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Tomah. He was born on June 14, 1933, to Otto and Lula (Hancock) Eirschele in Tomah. Al graduated from Tomah High School and enlisted into the United States Air Force from September 19, 1952, until September 5, 1956, where he was stationed in Japan as a Fire Chief that he took so much pride in. Upon his discharge, he returned to Wisconsin and went to school to become a telegraph operator. He was employed by the Milwaukee Road in Milwaukee where he met his "Honey" Judith Severson and they married September 26, 1959. They had four children, Randy, Scott, Debbie, and Renee. The railroad brought them back to Tomah in 1983 where he worked a few more years often stopping traffic with his crane crossing Superior Ave. Following retirement, he found a love for once again stopping traffic for 18 years as Tomah's most dedicated crossing guard by St. Paul School. The children will remember him for passing out mints, and the citizens will remember him for passing out citations! – He may even hold the record. Al was a faithful and devoted lifelong member of St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church.
Al will forever be remembered as the worlds best pool player, horseshoe pitcher, maker of own rules, and of course top notch husband and father. He loved his wife and family so much and made sure they all knew it.
He is survived by his wife, Judy, children, Randy (Barb) Eirschele, Scott Eirschele, Debbie (Pete) Szohr and Renee (Tom) Bailey, grandchildren, Bob (Leah) Bemis, Scott (Meghan) Bemis, Crystal (Jim) Radek, Jacob Eirschele, Katie (Nic) Vatter, Sara (Marcus) Doak, Emma (Derek) Gehrke, Josh (Morgan Debroux) Szohr, Stephen, Joe and Lizzie Bailey, great grandchildren, Brianna (Dylan) Cook, Bobby (Sayde Barth) Bemis, Braden (Paige Sheldon) Bemis, Benny Bemis, Gavin, Cameron, Kael and Brinley Finch, Hayden (Kylie Bemis), Hayley Bemis, Joey Radek, Henry, Delaney and Abigail Doak, Malakai, Abel and Reuben Gehrke, Paisley Szohr, great great granddaughters, Emery, Nova, Melanie, Brynnleigh and Laylin, siblings, John (Penny) Eirschele, Victor (Mary) Eirschele and Rosie (Glen) Trimble, sister-in-law, Bonnie Bur and a brother-in-law, Ronald (Jen) Severson. He is further survived by other nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Loyd.
A Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, January 14, 2024, 1:30 PM at St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church, 525 Superior Ave., Tomah. Pastor Korey VanKampen will officiate. Burial will be at a later date in Oak Grove Cemetery. Relatives and friends are invited for a time of visitation on Sunday at the church from 12:30 PM until the time of the service. Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home, Tomah is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences can be offered by visiting www.sonnenburgfamilyfh.com