Terry Duane Babler
Terry Duane Babler, age 65 of New Glarus, passed away on Tuesday, April 28, 2015, at the William S. Middleton Memorial VA Hospital in Madison following an eight-year struggle with Alzheimer's disease. He was born on February 13, 1950, to his parents, Duane and Virginia (Duerst) Babler in Monroe, Wisconsin.
Terry graduated from New Glarus High School in 1968. He then served in the U.S. Army from 1969 to 1971 as a combat medic in Vietnam. After serving his country, Terry was united in marriage to his soulmate, Judy Bartels, at St. Victor's Church in Monroe on October 7, 1972. He then worked for Rayovac in Madison, and later the Carnes Company in Verona for several years. Terry enjoyed softball; he played and coached with the Swiss Lanes team for many years. He was proud of his military service and was very active as member of many veterans' organizations, including being a founding member of the WI Vietnam Vets Chapter III and the 1st Squadron 1st Calvary National Association. He was also a member of the Howard County, IN, Vietnam Veterans, Vietnow, VFW Post #10549, American Legion Post #245 and Kenosha Area Vietnam Vets. Terry was also instrumental in organizing the Annual New Glarus WinterFest Veteran's Rally R&R. Terry and Judy enjoyed making their annual trip to enjoy the warm Florida sunshine at Daytona every year. He loved his wife, children, grandchildren, dogs, New Glarus and Country.
Terry is survived by his wife, Judy of New Glarus; children, Cindy (Eric) Deml of Evansville, WI, and Tony (Amanda) Babler of New Glarus, WI; grandchildren, Noah and Camden Deml, Anthony, Christopher and Sada Babler. He is further survived by his siblings, Vicki (Ken) Bavery of Madison, WI, Debi (Ken) Schickert of Waukesha, WI, Jeff (Carolyn) Babler of New Glarus, WI; brothers-in-law, John (Pam) Bartels, Irv (Connie) Bartels, Bill (Joann Borchart) Bartels and Bob (Pam) Bartels; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; special grandmother, Lydia Duerst; father-in-law and mother-in-law, John and Ann Bartels; and a brother-in-law, Gary Bartels.
Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m., on Saturday, May 2, 2015, at the Swiss United Church of Christ, 18 Fifth Avenue, New Glarus, with the Rev. Bill Wineke officiating with burial in the Swiss Church Cemetery.
Relatives and friends called from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., on Friday, May 1, 2015, at the Zentner-Beal Funeral Home, 29 Sixth Avenue, New Glarus, WI.
The family would like to thank the staffs of the VA CLC Hospice Unit and the New Glarus Home for their kind and compassionate care.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established.
An online memorial with guestbook is available at http://www.bealfuneralhomes.com.