Walter J. "Wally" Firkus, 85, Stevens Point, died Thursday, Jan. 19, 2012, in Milwaukee.
A Funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Stevens Point, with the Rev. George Thayikuzhithottu officiating. Burial will be in Guardian Angel Cemetery in Stevens Point.
Visitation will be at Pisarski/Dzikoski Funeral Home in Stevens Point from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and at the church from 9:30 a.m. Wednesday until the Mass. The Knights of Columbus will combine with the parish rosary at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
A memorial in his name will be established at a later date.
Condolences may be offered online at www.pisarskifuneralhome.com.
Mr. Firkus was born Oct. 7, 1926, in the town of Galloway, a son of the late August and Pearl (Pezewski) Firkus. He attended school in Galloway.
He was married to Bernice Kropidlowski on Sept. 11, 1948, at St. Mary of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Fancher. She died on Sept. 21, 2008.
After marriage the couple settled in Stevens Point.
He worked for Dry Gas, now known as Thermo Gas, as a truck driver and delivery man for more than 39 years, retiring in 1989. He also operated Wally's Bartender Service where he would provide bartenders, including himself, for weddings and family gatherings for many years.
He was a member of Knights of Columbus Monsignor McGinley Council 1170 of Stevens Point.
Survivors include one daughter, Joyce (David Packard) Gliniecki, Hubertus; three sons, Robert (Debbie), Waukesha, and Gerald (Lynn) and Kenneth (Lori), both of Stevens Point; one brother, Leonard (Elaine), Stevens Point; two sisters, Helen Kropidlowski, Aurora, Colo., and Evelyn (Andrew) Smrz, Stevens Point; nine grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.
He was also preceded in death by one brother, Joseph.