Gil Girdauskas

Gil Stanley Girdauskas, age 89 of Wautoma, passed away into Eternal Joy on August 30, 2015. He was born June 22, 1926 in Sheboygan to George and Mary (Ambrose) Girdauskas. He had three brothers; Edward, Victor and Edmund and two sisters: Julia and Alberta (Birdie). Gil's parents had come from Lithuania. Gil was always very proud of his Lithuanian heritage, making sure all of his children learned to love potato pancakes and play sheepshead.

Gil enlisted in the U.S. Navy during WWII at the age of 17 and served on the USS Reid and USS Bronson in the Pacific Theater. He received the Purple Heart and other medals and awards. He graduated from Layton School of Art in 1950. That same year, Gil married the love of his life, Clarice Ann Koenders. They raised their family of five children in Glendale, WI, Lighthouse Point, FL and Wautoma, where they had spent many wonderful summers. Gil worked at WTMJ 4 and Rite Realty. He was the founder of Florida Media and the current Vintage Vehicles car restoration business in Wautoma.

Gil was active in the Boy Scouts, the Episcopal Church, V.F.W. and American Legion. He loved spending time with his family, camping and canoeing. He enjoyed restoring old cars, golfing, fishing and collecting stamps and coins. He had a talent for several art mediums; painting, carving, drawing and creating stained glass pieces.

Gil is survived by his loving wife: Terry; five children: Brian (Linda), Kathy (Howard) Miles, Cindy (Garth) Stevens, Bruce (Carol) and Paul (Natalie). Gil and Terry have 10 grandchildren, one great grandson and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. Gil was a man of tradition, honesty and integrity. He was truly a Classic and will be missed by all.

Funeral Services will be held at 11AM on Thursday, September 10, 2015 at Leikness Funeral Home, Wautoma with military honors to follow. The family will greet relatives and friends at the funeral home from 10AM until the time of service at 11AM. In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established in Gil's name to the Old Glory Honor Flight (www.oldgloryhonorflight.org) where Gil was a proud passenger of the early flights in 2010 to view the WWII Memorial in Washington D.C.

The family expresses it deep gratitude to the staff of Wild Rose Hospital, Preston Place in Redgranite and Agnesian Hospice Hope.