TOMAH - Robert H. Honel, age 92, of Tomah, WI, passed away Wednesday, August 10, 2022, at the Serenity House in Tomah. Robert Harold Kielton was born November 24, 1929, to Stanley and Charlotte (Field) Kielton in Milwaukee, WI. His mother remarried Carl Honel and together they moved to Tomah, Wisconsin. He attended St. Paul Lutheran school and graduated from Tomah High School in 1947. It was in high school that his musical talents took shape and developed.
Following high school, he legally changed his name to Robert Honel. He moved to Florida and married Louise Sadler; their son, Richard Honel was born in 1951. Throughout his life he lived in Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and California before moving back to Tomah in 1979.
His working years were spent in various industries including the Milwaukee Road Railroad, lumber sales, waiter, short order cook, bread and cook salesman, office supply salesman, assembly line work, and advertising sales.
Much of Bob’s life was spent dedicated to his faith and music. Bob sang and played piano in many venues including Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, local restaurants, and everywhere in between. Bob also had a passion for the local food pantry and organized an Annual Show to raise money. He loved the Tomah Community and proudly gave back wherever he could. Besides music, writing was another skill of his. He was well known for writing a column for the Monroe County Journal and several other publications.
Bob was an exemplary example of what an individual can do to enrich the quality of life in a community by helping others. He made the world a better place and will be greatly missed.
He is survived by his son, Richard (Alice) Honel of Montgomery, AL, grandchildren, Jacob, Genevieve and Heather, great grandsons, Payton and Blake, his sister, Geraldine Clay, nieces, Debi (Carl) Smith, Pamela (Randy) Ballard and Shelly (Brad) Johnson, long-time friend, Jim (Sharon) Stroh.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Funeral services will be held Monday, August 15, 2022, 11:00 a.m. at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Tomah. Pastor David Dahl will officiate. Burial will follow in the Oak Grove Cemetery, Tomah, Wisconsin. Family and friends are invited for visitation Monday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at the church.
Online condolences are available www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.
Torkelson Funeral Home
