Service Details
Funeral services will be held on Sunday, March 10, 2019 at 2:00 pm in Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home with Rev. Mark R. Jones officiating. A reception will follow. Visitation will be in the funeral home on Sunday from 12:00 – 2:00 pm. Private entombment will take place in West Lawn Memorial Park.
Memorial Suggestions
Memorials to the American Heart Association have been suggested.
Mount Pleasant – LaNay James Wampole, age 85, passed away peacefully at Ridgewood Care Center on Wednesday, March 6, 2019.
LaNay was born in Alma Center, WI on October 18, 1933 to loving parents, Beulah Viola (nee: DuPont) and James Thomas Wampole. On May 21, 1955 at St. Mary’s of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Amherst, WI, he was united in marriage with Irene Evelyn (nee: Kropidlowski) Wampole. Sadly, she passed away on June 26, 2018. LaNay eventually passed away of a broken heart after losing his beautiful wife of 63 years.
LaNay was a decorated Battalion Chief for the City of Racine Fire Department, where he protected our community for over 34 years, retiring in 1990. He was a member of the City of Racine 20 Year Club, the Wisconsin Professional Firefighters Association, Racine Firefighters Local 321 and St. Edward Catholic Church. As an accomplished handyman, LaNay could fix anything….for anyone! Outside of the fire department, he had a great appreciation for nature – especially birdwatching. Above all, LaNay loved spending time with his entire family.
Surviving are his children, David (Jerilynn) Wampole of Rhinelander, WI; Duane (Judy) Wampole of Leitchfield, KY; and Cynthia (Tim) Zarzecki of Union Grove; grandchildren, Katie Stobbe, Adam (Tala) Wampole, Mark (Hannah Domnick) Wampole, Josh (Amy) Wampole, Jarod (Brittany) Wampole, Sara (Remy Hilsabeck) Zarzecki, Heather (Zach Quever) Zarzecki and Rachel (Branden Newer) Zarzecki; great-grandchildren, Easton, Coy, Cade, Ty, Hadley & Reed; siblings, Ronald (Karen) Wampole, Raymond Wampole, Richard (Mary) Wampole, Roger (Claudia) Wampole, Randy (Jo) Wampole, Betty (Don) Kristner, Bonnie (Leonard) Weinsz, Yelanda Kraus and Dinieta Wampole; brothers-in-law, Stanley Kropidlowski and John Kropidlowski; sister-in-law, Florence (Roger) Gerbig; nieces, nephews, brothers & sisters of the Racine Fire Department, other relatives and friends – too numerous to mention by name.
In addition to his parents and wife, LaNay was preceded in death by his daughter-in-law, Pam Wampole; brothers, Roland (Madeline) Wampole and Russel Wampole; sister, Cheryl (Denny) Logan; brothers-in-law, Ervin, Robert (Helen) and Leonard Kropidlowski; and sisters-in-law, Luella (Steve) Yach, Bernice (Walter) Firkus and Angeline (Joe) Skibinski.
Funeral services will be held on Sunday, March 10, 2019 at 2:00 pm in Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home with Rev. Mark R. Jones officiating. A reception will follow. Visitation will be in the funeral home on Sunday from 12:00 – 2:00 pm. Private entombment will take place in West Lawn Memorial Park. Memorials to the American Heart Association have been suggested.
Special note of thanks to Ridgewood Care Center & Hospice Alliance for the compassionate care & support given in LaNay’s time of need. May God bless all of you!
Richard "BO" Bosanko says
To the Wampole Family: On behalf of the Kenosha Fire Department, both active and retired members, our sincere sympathy to you on your loss of Lanay. We share in your sorrow. Chief “Wamp” was a true leader on the Racine Fire Department. The RFD history book cites the values of Courage, Vigilance, and Sacrifice that are the cornerstone of the department. Guy like “Wamp” helped in forge those traditions and made sure he “passed it on down” to his troops. We considered Lanay to be a brother firefighter. “God Bless Our Fallen Brother”. Richard “BO” Bosanko-Battalion Chief-Retired-Kenosha Fire Dept.
Boris Chekanoff says
Rest In Peace Chief.
Jane Kopecky Herrin says
My condolences on the passing of LeNay. I have such fond memories of both of your folks and really enjoyed visiting with LeNay when he would stop in on Friday nights. I know he will be dearly missed. You are in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless
Retired Capt. P. Dawson says
Rest In Peace Wamp. Truly a B/C I enjoyed working for and with. A true gentleman.
Catherine Lambeth says
Wampole was a very special friend to my husband Bob Lambeth. My condolences to the family. I thought he was very special also.
Wm Juneau, Florida says
Chief Wampole was one of the “older guys” on the department when I was one of the “younger”. For some reason he took a liking to me and I had the utmost respect for him,
and still do. Thanks Chief!
Carol L. Strempler & Madeline In Spirit says
I will miss a Good Friend – I’m glad to had the pleasure of meeting both of you. LaNay , Irene & Mom were are all family. Now they are celebrating HAPPY HOUR IN HEAVEN. We had so many good times & laughs. Thank you for telling me about being on the fire department. Some were Funny & Some Sad. Goodnight LaNay – Goodnight Irene I’ll see you in my Dreams.
Ron and Darlene Riesbeck says
Uncle was a giant of a man in many ways. Ill miss his smile and our many interesting talks on the phone until the batteries have up. All we can hope for now is he’s with his wife he so dearly missed. Most of the family is gone now. I think there is one big polka party going on up there right now and their pounding point beer
Gary & Sue Cooper says
Our condolences on the passing of LaNay, he was a good man, I enjoyed working with him.
Brian Nelsen says
Sorry I missed it not feeling well my wishes are with you
THE HICKS FAMILY says
THANK YOU 🚒
Carol and Kevin Rannow says
Our condolences to the family. He was a special man and we will never forget his assistance and compassion when our father passed. We will always remember him fondly.
He had a great voice too. I remember listening to his 45 record.
Tom Weidert Retired R.F.D. says
Dear Duane and family.
Your Dad, Chief Wampole, was a great guy. He was my battalion chief when I first started. I always felt we were in good hands when he was in charge of a fire. His dedication to the R.F.D. was second to none. When I was a rookie, he always made me feel welcome, even though I did not know anyone in Racine when I joined. He would call me by my first name and ask about my family, which meant a lot to me. He definitely made a difference in this world. I regret that I was unable to make the services, but you all are in my thoughts and prayers.
Tom Weidert
Retired R.F.D.
Jodi Fidler says
What a class act Lanay was! Although I never had the opportunity to meet his wife, I was always impressed by the way he spoke so tenderly of her and how dedicated he was, going to the nursing home each day to feed her and spend hours sitting beside her, keeping her company. This is the love we all aspire to have. I truly feel he missed her so much after she passed that he died of a broken heart. How wonderful that they are now reunited for eternity! Sincere sympathies to the family.
J. Flowers says
Dear family and friends, I’m very sorry for your loss. I’m looking forward to seeing God’s promise fulfilled at Revelation 21:4 where it says sickness, pain and death will be no more. I hope this scripture brings you comfort.