MONROE - Roger Louis Blanc, 75, of Monroe passed away Wednesday, June 22, 2011 at home in the loving care of his family. He was born Dec. 1, 1935 at his parents' home, the son of Conrad M. and S. Rose (Broders) Blanc. Roger was raised on their small dairy farm west of Monroe and spent most of his life in Green County.
Roger attended Monroe rural and public schools, and graduated in 1953 from St. John's Military Academy in Delafield, WI. He marched in Eisenhower's inaugural parade that same year. Roger served in the U.S. Army from 1958 to 1960. He completed basic training at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas and advanced fuel/ignition training at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland. He served 18 months at the ordnance depot in Fontenet, France, rebuilding vehicles returning from Laos and Cambodia.
He married LaVonne Schulz on Aug. 21, 1955 at Grace Lutheran Church in Monroe. Their children are Cindy Blanc (Peter Minucci) of Twin Grove, Marc Blanc (Brenda Kohls) of New Glarus and ThelmaRose (Chris) Gerrits of Monroe. Roger was an engine machinist and part owner of Schulz Automotive Machine in Monroe for many years. He was Boy Scout Troop 115 leader for many years.
Roger later married Janet Jones on Nov. 11, 1983 at St. John's United Church of Christ in Monroe, and they lived west of Monroe until moving into town in 2009. He drove bus for the Monroe School District, retiring in 1990. He operated a portable sign and AMSOIL sales business out of his home for many years. Roger marked 50 years of membership with the Yester Year Auto Club and enjoyed countless summer car tours with family and friends. He was a member of AMVETS Post 69 of New Glarus.
His greatest pleasures were spending time with his grandchildren, caring for his land, woodworking and restoration projects. Roger was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather and will be remembered for the hours of vehicle and home fix-it work he did so well for so many family and friends. He enjoyed collecting toy fire engines and fire memorabilia, and Roger spent many hours restoring and driving his vintage vehicles, especially his father's 1948 Willys Jeep and his 1935 Chevrolet Coupe and 1940 Chevrolet Pumper fire truck.
Survivors include his wife Janet; sister and brother-in-law Beverly and Cliff Lien of Belleville; three children; grandchildren Hans Blanc of Milwaukee, Heidi Blanc-Blum of Chicago, and Emily, Alex and Allen Gerrits of Monroe; four step-children Deb (Mike) Guisleman of Edgerton, Duane (Kathy) Jones of Monroe, Dan (Lynn) Jones of Wauwatosa and Diane (Pete) Barrett of Madison; step-grandchildren Dejay (Lacey) Schneider, Dustin (Sara Anderson) Jones and Derek (Ang Jackson) Jones, Steve (Holly) Olson, Jesse Guisleman, Austin and Abbey Jones, Natalie and Tommy Barrett; step great-grandchildren Alessandra and Brennan Olson; a niece, Michele (Paul Mross) Lien and two nephews, Mikel (Sheilagh) Lien and David (Karen) Lien. He was predeceased by his parents, Conrad in 1981 and Rose in 2008.
A celebration of Roger's life will take place at 11:00 a.m. Monday, June 27, at Shriner-Hager-Gohlke Funeral Home. Visitation is from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Sunday, at the funeral home. Burial with full military honors will be in Bethel-Hawthorne Cemetery, rural Monroe. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund is being established in Roger's name.
Roger attended Monroe rural and public schools, and graduated in 1953 from St. John's Military Academy in Delafield, WI. He marched in Eisenhower's inaugural parade that same year. Roger served in the U.S. Army from 1958 to 1960. He completed basic training at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas and advanced fuel/ignition training at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland. He served 18 months at the ordnance depot in Fontenet, France, rebuilding vehicles returning from Laos and Cambodia.
He married LaVonne Schulz on Aug. 21, 1955 at Grace Lutheran Church in Monroe. Their children are Cindy Blanc (Peter Minucci) of Twin Grove, Marc Blanc (Brenda Kohls) of New Glarus and ThelmaRose (Chris) Gerrits of Monroe. Roger was an engine machinist and part owner of Schulz Automotive Machine in Monroe for many years. He was Boy Scout Troop 115 leader for many years.
Roger later married Janet Jones on Nov. 11, 1983 at St. John's United Church of Christ in Monroe, and they lived west of Monroe until moving into town in 2009. He drove bus for the Monroe School District, retiring in 1990. He operated a portable sign and AMSOIL sales business out of his home for many years. Roger marked 50 years of membership with the Yester Year Auto Club and enjoyed countless summer car tours with family and friends. He was a member of AMVETS Post 69 of New Glarus.
His greatest pleasures were spending time with his grandchildren, caring for his land, woodworking and restoration projects. Roger was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather and will be remembered for the hours of vehicle and home fix-it work he did so well for so many family and friends. He enjoyed collecting toy fire engines and fire memorabilia, and Roger spent many hours restoring and driving his vintage vehicles, especially his father's 1948 Willys Jeep and his 1935 Chevrolet Coupe and 1940 Chevrolet Pumper fire truck.
Survivors include his wife Janet; sister and brother-in-law Beverly and Cliff Lien of Belleville; three children; grandchildren Hans Blanc of Milwaukee, Heidi Blanc-Blum of Chicago, and Emily, Alex and Allen Gerrits of Monroe; four step-children Deb (Mike) Guisleman of Edgerton, Duane (Kathy) Jones of Monroe, Dan (Lynn) Jones of Wauwatosa and Diane (Pete) Barrett of Madison; step-grandchildren Dejay (Lacey) Schneider, Dustin (Sara Anderson) Jones and Derek (Ang Jackson) Jones, Steve (Holly) Olson, Jesse Guisleman, Austin and Abbey Jones, Natalie and Tommy Barrett; step great-grandchildren Alessandra and Brennan Olson; a niece, Michele (Paul Mross) Lien and two nephews, Mikel (Sheilagh) Lien and David (Karen) Lien. He was predeceased by his parents, Conrad in 1981 and Rose in 2008.
A celebration of Roger's life will take place at 11:00 a.m. Monday, June 27, at Shriner-Hager-Gohlke Funeral Home. Visitation is from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Sunday, at the funeral home. Burial with full military honors will be in Bethel-Hawthorne Cemetery, rural Monroe. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund is being established in Roger's name.