MICHAEL GONIA

Michael F. Gonia, 62, of Appleton, formerly of Franklin, passed away Thursday, June 23, 2011, at the Appleton Medical Center after a courageous five year battle with CLL. Mike was born August 13, 1948, in Two Rivers, the son of Lawrence and Lorraine (Cissler) Gonia. He was a graduate of Nathan Hale High School, West Allis, and attended and graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Mike was united in marriage to Christine E. Hecker on October 25, 1986, in Milwaukee. Prior to his recent retirement, Mike was employed with Deltrol Corporation in Milwaukee for 38 years. Mike and Chris moved to Appleton in the fall of 2010. Mike enjoyed golfing, ice fishing and Indy car racing. Survivors include his wife, Christine Gonia; his son, Jerome (Kimberly) Gonia, Greenville, and their children, Emma and Maxwell; his daughter, Lindsay Wilhelm, South Carolina, and her son, Steven; a brother, Gregory (Linda) Gonia, Franklin; a sister, Michelle (James) Sackerson, Greenfield; a sister-in-law, Estelle Gonia, Indiana; an aunt, Laverne Larsen, Oconto Falls; he is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and many special friends; and their much loved standard poodle, Peaches. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Lawrence Larry . The Memorial Mass for Mike will be celebrated Tuesday, June 28, 2011, 11:00 a.m., at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, Appleton, with Father Gerald Falk as celebrant. Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday until the time of the mass at the church. Urn burial will be in St. Margaret Cemetery, Neenah. Memorials in Mikes honor may be sent to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Wisconsin, 200 So. Executive Dr. #203, Brookfield, WI, 53005-4216. The family would like to express their sincerest appreciation to Dr. Guenther and his staff, Dr. Brooks, and the entire staff of the 7th Floor oncology unit at AMC for their professional and compassionate care given to Mike.