Gordon Lawrence Kehler

Gordon L. Kehler

August 14, 1928-February 1, 2021

Gordon Lawrence Kehler passed away Monday, February 1, 2021 at the age of 92.  He was born in Escanaba, Michigan on August 14, 1928 to the late Otto and Alma Kehler.  The family moved to Milwaukee where he grew to a young man.  Gordon enlisted in the United States Coast Guard in 1945 and proudly served until 1948 as a Carpenter’s mate and rescue swimmer aboard the USCG Cutter Bibb in the North Atlantic. One of the most courageous rescue missions involved the rescue of 69 people aboard the seaplane Bermuda Sky Queen in October of 1947.  After coming home he attended vocational school and learned welding as a trade.  He met his future wife Dolores and together they built their first home in Caledonia, WI.  They were married on July 17, 1954. They were blessed with three children Rosemary, John and Kathleen.

Gordon was employed at Ladish Co. in Cudahy, WI for 42 years. Before he retired, he completed an associate’s degree and began teaching at Milwaukee Area Technical College Industrial Arts program, dedicated to passing on his skill in welding to future workers. He taught both arc welding and gas welding at the Milwaukee, Oak Creek and West campuses.

In his younger years, Gordon enjoyed hunting and fishing, camping and travel with his family. Some of his fondest memories (and best trout fishing stories) were float trips accompanied by his son John on rivers in Michigan and Canada with his Uncle Bill, cousin Jim Casey and friends Ken Rian and Louie Szabo.  Family vacations included adventures to both coasts, great plains states and the southwest, often camping for weeks to visit national parks across the U.S., and visiting relatives on occasion along the way.  In his later years, the Gulf coast was a favorite destination during the winter months.

Gordon  is survived by his wife Dolores, children Rosemary, John and Kathleen, grandchildren Michael and Alyssa and great grandchildren Xander and Mara.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Marcella, Dorothy and Rosemarie, brother Robert, half sisters Mildred and Lucile, and half brothers Edward and Kenneth.  He also will be missed by cousins, nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends.

The family wishes to thank the nursing staff at St. Francis hospital and Dr. Eddy Co for their skillful care of our husband and father, and the nursing staff and talented medical personnel at the Zablocki Veteran’s Hospital facility for their services over the years. 

Entombment will be at Southern Wisconsin Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery in Union Grove WI at a date to be determined.  A memorial service with military honors will be held at that time.

Details will be updated by Heritage Funeral homes as provided. Memorials in lieu of flowers to Fisher House, St. Vincent de Paul or a charity of your choice would be greatly appreciated.

Heritage Funeral Homes

414-761-2750