JONATHAN SOPEL
July 23, 1941 - August 02, 2024
Obituary
Jonathan Heinz Sopel Sr. passed away on Friday, August 2nd, exactly 5 months after the passing of his son, Jonathan “Jonnie” Heinz Sopel Jr. He is now reunited with both Jonnie and his wife, Lana Sopel, whom he missed whole-heartedly.
Jon was born on July 23rd, 1941, to the late Heinz and Carolyne Sopel in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He graduated high school in West Allis, Wisconsin and then moved to Neenah, Wisconsin and went on to join the Army National Guard in 1959. He married Lana Sopel in 1964 and raised 4 children together. After serving in the military, he had many occupations but was quite partial to driving semi (quite fast from what we understand). He was a member of Hawley-Dieckhoff American Legion Post 33. In his later years, you could find him playing bingo at Oneida Casino in Green Bay or visiting all the local gas stations and especially Gill Liquor trying to become the next lottery winner.
He will be missed by his daughter, Sheila (Kenneth) Jackson, sons: Steve (Connie) Sopel and Jeff Sopel; and sister, Lorelie (Jim Weir) Sopel. His grandchildren will also miss him: Brady Jackson, Karly Jackson, Heather Sopel, Austin Sopel and his fiancée, MacKenzie Schultz, Hannah (Austin) Bellile, and Sylvia (Jared) Suares. He is further survived by a brother-in-law, Al Kozlowski; and Lana's family; Dawn (Willie) Chartrand, Sherry Rohde, Bobber (Sandy) Rohde, Rodney (Mary) Rohde, Rich Rohde and Danny (Betty) Rohde; as well as by numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Lana Sopel (Sept 20, 2017), son, Jonnie Sopel (March 2, 2024), and sister Barb Kozlowski.
The family would like to thank the staff at Peabody Manor/Cherry Meadows & Rosewood Grove for taking such excellent care of Jon in his final days. There is comfort in knowing he is no longer suffering, had proper care in such a difficult time, and is with his family again.
A memorial service will be held at Neenah's Westgor Funeral Home at 1:00PM on Saturday, August 10, 2024. Military Honors with the Neenah Menasha Honor Guard will follow. Visitation will be held from 11:00 AM until the service time.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Hawley-Dieckhoff American Legion Post 33.
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Memories
RG
Randolph GUSCHL
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As cousins, we shared a common Milwaukee childhood with get togethers , family gatherings and fun. Like so many in our world, our family moved far away a long time ago and interactions were annual Christmas Cards and later some phone calls and information from the social network. It has been decades since I have seen the family, but that doesn't mean we have not felt the pain of the loss of Lana , Jonnie and now Jon. Our prayers to the surviving friends and family and I hope you all find some comfort in knowing that they are together in a better place.