1930
Bernard
2016
Bernard Drinkwater
January 27, 1930 — February 19, 2016
Bernard "Butch" Gus Drinkwater, age 86 of Oxford passed away peacefully surrounded by his family Friday evening, February 19, 2016 at his home. Bernard was born on January 27, 1930 in Oxford, the son of John and Viola (Hill) Drinkwater. On October 4, 1952 he married Loretta Wheaton in Montello. They settled in Oxford, where they purchased a home and lived there all of their lives.
Butch was a hard worker and an all-around handyman, doing all of the remodeling of his home with the help of his father. He left home at a young age to travel with the harness horse racing circuit working as a groom until he met and married his wife. He became a welder by trade and was employed by Kilborne Machine and Repair in Wisconsin Dells from 1952 until 1963 when he changed jobs and went to work for the Gunderson Construction Company in 1963 until he retired on disability in 1988. In the summer he could be seen working in his garden, trimming the grass or flowers or just puttering around the yard. In the winter, he kept busy in the basement with many of the woodworking projects his wife, children and grandchildren enjoy.
In his later years when he became unable to do any outside work, he continued to cook meals and help with the smaller chores around the house. He will be remembered as a dedicated worker who insisted everything be done as perfect as possible. Butch is survived by his wife of 63 years, and leaves a legacy of four children, nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. His children are: Mary (Dan) Walters of Oxford, David (Tammy) of Madison, Thomas of Green Bay and James (Pat) of Terre Haute, IN. His grandchildren: Amber (Eric) Tyler of Deforest, Alicia (Chris) Stanley of Oconomowoc, Colleen Drinkwater of Waunakee, Rebecca Drinkwater of Madison, Melissa Drinkwater of Oshkosh, Kirsten Drinkwater of Montello, Myranda Drinkwater of Deforest, Jenna (Phil) Kelley of Deforest and Jacob (Amberli) Drinkwater of Oxford. His great-grandchildren: Brady Anderson, Evan John Heiling, Ella Sue Heiling, Danika Kate Hui Tyler, Parker August Stanley, Deaken James Drinkwater, Jaymisen William Drinkwater, James Bernard Kelley and Jaden George Kelley. Butch is further survived by his brother, Lester (Olivia) of Harvard, IL and many friends. Butch is preceded in death by his parents, siblings: Floyd (Lenora), Arthur, Harold, Faye Newbury, Shirley Labrenz and great-grandson, Kyle Drinkwater. A Mass of Christian Burial for Bernard will be held on Saturday, April 23, 2016 at 12:00 noon at St. Ann Catholic Church in Brooks. Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until the hour of service. Father James McNamee and Monsignor John Hebl will concelebrate the mass. Inurnment will be at the Oxford Village Cemetery. Crawford Funeral and Cremation Service of Oxford and Montello is honored to be serving the family. www.CrawfordFH.com
Saturday, April 23, 2016
Mass of Christian Burial
Saturday, April 23, 2016
Butch was a hard worker and an all-around handyman, doing all of the remodeling of his home with the help of his father. He left home at a young age to travel with the harness horse racing circuit working as a groom until he met and married his wife. He became a welder by trade and was employed by Kilborne Machine and Repair in Wisconsin Dells from 1952 until 1963 when he changed jobs and went to work for the Gunderson Construction Company in 1963 until he retired on disability in 1988. In the summer he could be seen working in his garden, trimming the grass or flowers or just puttering around the yard. In the winter, he kept busy in the basement with many of the woodworking projects his wife, children and grandchildren enjoy.
In his later years when he became unable to do any outside work, he continued to cook meals and help with the smaller chores around the house. He will be remembered as a dedicated worker who insisted everything be done as perfect as possible. Butch is survived by his wife of 63 years, and leaves a legacy of four children, nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. His children are: Mary (Dan) Walters of Oxford, David (Tammy) of Madison, Thomas of Green Bay and James (Pat) of Terre Haute, IN. His grandchildren: Amber (Eric) Tyler of Deforest, Alicia (Chris) Stanley of Oconomowoc, Colleen Drinkwater of Waunakee, Rebecca Drinkwater of Madison, Melissa Drinkwater of Oshkosh, Kirsten Drinkwater of Montello, Myranda Drinkwater of Deforest, Jenna (Phil) Kelley of Deforest and Jacob (Amberli) Drinkwater of Oxford. His great-grandchildren: Brady Anderson, Evan John Heiling, Ella Sue Heiling, Danika Kate Hui Tyler, Parker August Stanley, Deaken James Drinkwater, Jaymisen William Drinkwater, James Bernard Kelley and Jaden George Kelley. Butch is further survived by his brother, Lester (Olivia) of Harvard, IL and many friends. Butch is preceded in death by his parents, siblings: Floyd (Lenora), Arthur, Harold, Faye Newbury, Shirley Labrenz and great-grandson, Kyle Drinkwater. A Mass of Christian Burial for Bernard will be held on Saturday, April 23, 2016 at 12:00 noon at St. Ann Catholic Church in Brooks. Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until the hour of service. Father James McNamee and Monsignor John Hebl will concelebrate the mass. Inurnment will be at the Oxford Village Cemetery. Crawford Funeral and Cremation Service of Oxford and Montello is honored to be serving the family. www.CrawfordFH.com
Previous Events
VisitationSaturday, April 23, 2016
9:00 AM
- 12:00 PM
St. Ann Catholic Church of Brooks
2929 St Anns Ave
Oxford, WI 53952
Saturday, April 23, 2016
12:00 PM
St. Ann Catholic Church of Brooks
2929 St Anns Ave
Oxford, WI 53952
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