Victor A. “Vic” Schwartz, 95, of Monroe, died on Oct. 25, 2018, at the Monroe Clinic Hospital. He was born Jan. 1, 1923, to Victor Sr. and Nellie (Puetz) Schwartz in Troy Center.
He graduated from East Troy High School in 1940 and attended Marquette University until he was called into the U.S. Army in 1943. He took his basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina.
In November of 1943 he was sent overseas as a replacement, first to Africa and then to Italy where he was assigned to the 1st Armored Division, 6th Armored Infantry Regiment. Beginning with the landing at Anzio, he served in all four of the Italian campaigns – Naples-Fogia, Rome-Arno, North Apenines and Po Valley.
In addition to the four campaign battle stars, he was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge and the Bronze Star. He returned home in December of 1945 just in time for Christmas.
After his return from the service he joined the family farming business, Schwartz Brothers.
In 1948 he married a wonderful girl, Joyce “Joey” Kehoe, of East Troy, where they made their home.
In 1953 Schwartz Brothers disbanded and the farm was sold. Vic took employment with Allis-Chalmers Manufacturing Co., Farm Equipment Division in West Allis, as a test engineer. He worked both in their West Allis facility and at their proving grounds, south of Hales Corners.
After 17 years at Allis-Chalmers, Vic took a job as a sales engineer with Nelson Industries, and moved to Stoughton. In 1973 the company transferred him to the Nelson Plant in Neillsville, as the plant manager. He retired in 1988.
A few years after retirement, Vic and Joyce moved to Monroe to be closer to their children.
Vic enjoyed several hobbies. He was an avid woodworker and loved photography. For many years he wrote the newsletter for his 6th Armored Infantry Battalion, 1st Armored Division, helping the many old veterans, buddies, spouses and children to keep in contact. The 1st Armored Division Association has held a reunion every year since the end of World War II. Vic and Joyce attended whenever possible and since it was in a different city each year, it allowed them to travel to much of the United States.
They also traveled to Europe several times; Spain, Austria, Germany, Switzerland and England. Vic was a member of St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Parish in Monroe, life member of the 1st Armored Division Association, life member of the Anzio Beachhead Veterans Association, life member of the DAV, American Legion, VFW and Knights of Columbus.
Vic is survived by his daughters, Mary (Steve) Madsen, Katie (Bob) VanStedum, Jeannie (Jim) Brehmer, Lori (Dave) Sievers and Beth (Eric) Penfold; grandchildren, David Madsen, Erik (Lia) Madsen, Adam (fiancée Taylor) Brehmer, Erin Brehmer and Lauren Brehmer, Emma Sievers, Holly Sievers and Kylie Sievers, Sophie Penfold and Clare Penfold; sister, Catherine; brother, Ron; nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Joey; brother, Charlie; sisters, Dorothy and Nellie.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 30, at St. Clare of Assisi Parish at St. Victor Catholic Church with Monsignor Larry Bakke celebrant. Burial with military honors will follow in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until time of Mass at the church.
In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Clare’s parish, the 1st Armored Division Association or the Knights of Columbus are suggested.
Vic’s family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to the Monroe Police Department, Green County Sheriff’s Department, Green County EMS and Monroe Clinic Hospital.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.shriner111.com.
