Obit: Mech, Theodore W. (1896 - 1982)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Mech, Tobian, Kraut, Bandelow, Sheere, Kloes, Schmitt, Lindloff

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 6/03/1982

Mech, Theodore W. (13 August 1896 – 29 May 1982)

Funeral services were held in Neillsville on Tuesday afternoon, June 1, for Theodore W. Mech, who was known in the area as a cheesemaker and painter. Mr. Mech, 85, passed away at his 301 Clay St., Neillsville home on Saturday morning, May 29.

The deceased was born on August 13, 1896, in Clintonville to Theodore and Hermine (Tobian) Mech. After receiving his education in Clintonville schools, he learned the cheesemaking trade from his brother Edward. On May 29, 1918, he married Amanda Kraut in Clintonville ceremonies. Mech then operated and owned several cheese factori9es for a 30-year period. His last operation was the Greenwood Dairy.

In 1941, Mech’s first wife died. On June 1, 1944, Mech married Velma Bandelow in Neillsville ceremonies. In 1946, the couple moved to Neillsville where he remained the rest of his life. It was during this time that Mech worked as a painter.

Surviving him, besides his second wife, are three sons, Melvin of Thorp, Vernon of Greenwood and Robert of Kenosha; a daughter, Patricia Sheere, Tucson, Arizona; two sisters, Silvia Kloes of Three Lakes and Minnie Hornburg of Clintonville; a brother, Paul, Green Bay; 16 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death, besides his first wife, by a daughter, Delores Jean Schmitt; five brothers and a sister.

The Rev. Norman Lindloff officiated at the St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church services with burial made in the Neillsville City Cemetery. The Gesche Funeral Home of Neillsville was in charge of arrangements.