Racine– Wallace “Wally” John Terry, age 83, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, December 12, 2012.
Wally was born in the Paris township of Kenosha County on May 4, 1929 to the late Henry and Louise (nee: Fonk) Terry. He was a 1946 graduate of Union Grove High School where he played football as a linebacker. On March 19, 1949 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Paris, WI he was united in marriage with the love of his life, Marguerite Ann “Marge” Rocheleau.
Wally was employed by Massey-Ferguson for many years until transferring to the JI Case Company, from where he retired in 1989 after 26 years as a Purchasing Agent. He was a dedicated member of St. Lucy Catholic Church for 42 years where he ushered at the 10:30 am Mass. Wally was also a member of the Travelers Protection Association and the Case 20 Year Club. Wally loved arranging social gatherings whether it be for dining out or a Sunday afternoon playing Schafskopf. He was an avid Green Bay Packer fan and Milwaukee Brewers fan. Wally enjoyed golfing three times a week until his illness. He could proudly say his golfing group had golfed in WI all 12 months of the year. Wally and his family enjoyed many vacations together. He and Marge had visited all 48 continental states and most of Canada. Just touring the scenic countryside gave him great pleasure. Above all, Wally loved and cherished being in the surroundings of his entire family. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and "Papa". Wally was an exceptional role model which made him a strong influence in the lives of all of his family.
Surviving are his loving wife of over 63 years, Marge; their daughters, Michele (Paul) Schmidt, Jeanne (Neal) Pelz, LuAnn (Pat) Conley and Rhonda (Tom) Kramer; grandchildren, Steig (Kristy) Schmidt, Lenka (Michael) Hougen, Arah Schmidt, Morgan Pelz, Amelia Pelz, Gaya (James) Glassen, Brianna Lock, Marisa (Daniel Pulliam) Lock, Amanda Conley, Douglas “D.J.” (Bridget Ricchio) Schneider; Edward (Amanda) Terry II and Levi Terry; great-grandchildren, Marann, Mallory, Cole, Keagan, Paden, Jaden, Mikenna, Ryannah, Darien, Piercen, Taylor, Austin, Danica, Eden and Dominic; brother and very best- friend, George (Pat) Terry; sister, Alice Vandenboom; mother-in-law, Ernestine Rocheleau; sisters-in-law, Cookie (Bill) LaChance and Maxine Rocheleau; brothers-in-law, Tom (Nancy) Rocheleau and Bill (Sharon) Rocheleau; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
In addition to his parents, Wally was preceded in death by his beloved sons, Lawrence Terry (March 27, 1970) and Edward Terry (July 11, 2009); daughter-in-law, Barbara Ann Terry; sisters, Ione (John) Robers and Marie (Bernard) Frederick; brother, Wilbur (Eloise) Terry; brothers-in-law, Ray Vandenboom and Edward Rocheleau; sisters-in-law, Mary (Donald) Busche and Lorraine (Robert) Frazier and father-in-law, Romuald Rocheleau.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, December 21, 2012 at 11:00 am in St. Lucy Catholic Church, 3101 Drexel Avenue, with Rev. Mark R. Jones officiating. Entombment will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery, Hwy 32. Visitation will be in the funeral home on Thursday from 5-7 pm and in the church on Friday from 10-11 am.
Our entire family would like to publicly thank our sister, Rhonda Kramer, for the overwhelming amount of love and support given to Dad during the past several months. Your tireless amount of care and attention will never be forgotten.
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