Ronald E. Abitz

Ronald Earl Abitz, 79, passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, November 7, 2018. He was born October 15, 1939, the son of Earl and Mary (Schuster) Abitz. On June 14, 1958, Ron married Judith Miller in Oshkosh, and the two recently celebrated 60 remarkable years together. He was employed as a salesman with 7 Up and Wald Wire for many years, ending his career as President at SMC Metal Fabrications before retiring in 1997. Ron enjoyed golfing, playing pool, bowling, crossword puzzles, hunting, and singing karaoke, where he was affectionately known as ‘Abe’. He was an avid sportsman and was inducted into both the softball and bowling hall of fame. Ron was a member of the Elks Club and the Knights of Columbus, was a board member for the Boys and Girls Club and was on the Oshkosh Softball Commission. He was a member of St. Jude Parish, Oshkosh. Ron will always be remembered as an incredibly loving and giving man which showed in the way he raised his family. He was an example to us all of honor, hard work, and a life lived with integrity.

Ron is survived by his loving wife, Judy; children: Randy (Sue), Renee (Dave) Neitzke, Stacey Haidlinger, and Rhonda (John) Hansen; grandchildren: Lucas, Matthew (Jamie), and Joshua (Kristi) Neitzke, Michael (Molly) and Amy (Tripp) Haidlinger, Nicholas (Stacey), Joseph, Emily (Thomas) Poeschl, and Allison Hansen; great grandchildren: Jordan, Austin, Jackson, Emerson, Abigail, and Landon Neitzke, and Jackson Hansen; brother-in-law: Joe (Judy) Miller; sisters-in-law: Mary (Jerry) Allen, Bonnie Viertel, Vicky (Don) Haedt, Peggy (Russ) Rilling, Sandy (Dennis) Craig, and Mary Abitz.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Mary-Jane (Bob) McPeake, brother, Ray Abitz, son-in-law, Jeff Haidlinger, and brother-in-law, John Viertel.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 – 7:00 pm. Tuesday, November 13, 2018 at the Konrad-Behlman Funeral Home-Westside and again at St. Vincent Catholic Church, 216 W. South Park Avenue, Oshkosh from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 14, 2018. A Mass of Christian burial will follow at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be in Lake View Memorial Park, Oshkosh.