LeRoy A. Gorges

LeRoy A. Gorges, age 82, of Appleton, passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 15, 2025, at Prairie Homes. LeRoy was born in Oshkosh on January 19, 1943, to the late Andrew and Nila (Wangelin) Gorges, and was raised in Readfield.

On September 29, 1962, he was united in marriage to LaVonne "Bonnie" Kappell at St. Mary Catholic Church, Appleton. The couple enjoyed 63 years together. LeRoy was employed for many years by Spencer Johnston – JJ Plank Corporation, where he was shop supervisor, retiring in 2002.

LeRoy loved spending time in the woods waiting for that big buck, and the times spent at the hunting shack in Dale with family and friends. He also enjoyed spending time at the family cottage on Lake Poygan. In his later years, he always made sure that the birds and squirrels were well fed.

He is survived by his loving wife, Bonnie; proud father to his three sons: Michael (Carrie) Gorges, Scott (Cindy) Gorges, and Jeffrey (Mary) Gorges; 4 grandsons: Jacob Gorges, Grant Gorges(Kailey), Jack (special friend Sophie Brown) Gorges, and Blake Gorges; 4 granddaughters: Nicole Gorges, Paige (Ryan) McInerney, Katie (fiancé Brian Hanlon) Gorges, and Claire (Marshall) Morrin; 3 great grandchildren: Harper, Silas, and Ira LaVonne; and 4 sisters-in-law: Shirley Dix, Marge Kappell, Geraldine (Al) Demers, and Cheryl Gorges. He is further survived by many nieces, nephews, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Andrew and Nila, sister, Donna Gorges, brother, Gary Gorges, mother and father-in-law Raymond and Genevieve Kappell, 2 brothers-in-law John Kappell and Ronald Dix, 2 sisters-in-law Marlene (Lionel) Brooks, Janice (Emmett) Clark, and special grandparents Albert and Alvina Wangelin.

A memorial service will take place at 11 am on Friday, November 21, at St. Mary Catholic Church, 312 S. State St. Appleton, with Father Bill Swichtenberg officiating. Friends may visit at the church on Friday from 9 am until the time of service. Interment will take place at St. Joseph Cemetery, Appleton. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the great staff at Prairie Home's House of Faith for the compassionate care given to LeRoy. Also, thanks to his dear niece Dawn Krueger, who kept a vigil by his side until the end – we'll never forget your love and loyalty for your uncle.