Aloysius (Al) J. Schwab

FRIENDSHIP/CROSS PLAINS-Aloysius (Al) J. Schwab, age 91, passed away on March 7, 2014, surrounded by his loving family. Al was born on June 30, 1922, in Ashton on his father’s 38th birthday. Al was the seventh of eight children born to Florence and Walburga Schwab. Al grew up on the family farm on Schneider Rd., which is still owned by the Schwab family. Al attended St. Peters grade school and graduated from Middleton High School in 1940. After the United States entered World War II, Al joined the U.S Navy and became a Naval Air Veteran. After the war, Al returned to Ashton where he married the former Eunice M. Kuhnau on March 1st, 1949. For a while, Al and Eunice lived at the family farm in Ashton. During this time, Al became the jack of all trades, becoming a milkman, painter, while continuing his work on the farm. In 1953, Al bought a house in Cross Plains with his wife and growing family. Al became the town mailman where he quickly became well known by almost everyone. After his retirement from the post office in 1988, Al stayed busy after becoming Cross Plains’ tax assessor, a position he held until 1994. Al was a longtime member of the St. Francis Xavier parish in Cross Plains, a member of the Catholic Knights, and a member of the American Legion Post 245 in Cross Plains. Al had many hobbies throughout his life, including playing Home Talent baseball in Ashton and boxing in high school and the Navy. In the later years, Al enjoyed working in his garden and baking wonderful treats. Al’s carrot cake and Christmas cookies were legendary, but his specialty was his strawberry pie. Everyone who tried them immediately fell in love in them. Al enjoyed playing cards with his family, as well as his regular Tuesday night get-togethers with his friends to play Solo. But the thing Al enjoyed most was spending time with his family; he loved watching his grandchildren and great grandchildren grow into wonderful people. Al is survived by his daughters, Jerilyn Miller of Madison, Maggie (Dick) Williams of Friendship, Ann (Rob) Sullivan of Cross Plains, and a son-in-law Joseph Lustgraaf of Madison. Al is also survived by 10 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren, along with numerous nieces and nephews. Al was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Eunice; a daughter, Dianne Lustgraaf; a son, Michael; all his brothers and sisters; and many close friends. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at ST. FRANCIS XAVIER CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2947 Thinnes St., Cross Plains at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 12, 2014, with Father Tom Kelley presiding. Burial will be at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Tuesday, March 11, 2014, as well as from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service on Wednesday. The family would like to thank the staff at Moundview Memorial Hospital and Clinics in Friendship, Wisconsin, who made Al’s last days as peaceful as possible. Al will be deeply missed by all of those who knew him. Al was a caring, giving person who always thought of others before himself. There’s an emptiness in our hearts due to his passing, but hopefully it can be filled with all the wonderful memories of him. In lieu of flowers, the family request that all memorials be made to Wisconsin Chapter APDA and the St. Francis Endowment Fund. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson Cross Plains Funeral & Cremation Care 2421 Church Street (608)798-3141