Howard Halbesleben, of Birnamwood, died Monday, January 19, 2015 at Langlade Hospital after suffering a heart attack at home. He was 89 years old. He was born on July 19, 1925 in Aniwa, a son of Arthur and Emma (Nelson) Halbesleben. He married Betty Shadick on December 15, 1951 in Antigo. She survives.

He attended Red Hill grade school, west of Aniwa, and Antigo High School. He served in the United States Army – infantry division in the European Theatre from 1943-1945. He landed on Omaha Beach in France, moved on to Germany and Luxembourg. During his tour of duty he was awarded the Purple Heart Medal and the Oak Leaf Cluster.

He obtained his private pilots license in 1948 and enjoyed flying his own plane, a Taylorcraft. As a young man he was a partner with his father in Halbesleben Portable Sawmill in Aniwa. He also worked at Kraft Foods in Antigo, Aniwa Hardware and later was caretaker of the former Air Force base south of Antigo. From 1960 – 2001 he owned and operated Aniwa Bottled Gas.

He was a member of St. Philomena Catholic Church in Birnamwood since 1965. He was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7933 in Birnamwood where he served as commander, adjutant and quartermaster. He was also a member of the Paul Marmes Disabled American Veterans Post 23 in Antigo.

Survivors including his wife are four daughters, Vicki (David) Fox of Mountlake Terrace, WA, Renae (Tony) Tushkowski of Eau Claire, Marla (Russ) Mann of Sayner, Lisa (Chris) Butler of Holmen; twelve Grandchildren, Jesse Tilt, Olivia Fox, Tyler and Quinn Tushkowski, Lindsay (Steve) Hietala, Leah (Dennis) Morgan, Jenna Mann, Jared (Ashleigh) Mann, Elizabeth, Noah, Seth and Caleb Butler; ten great grandchildren Evah, Abbigail, Kierah, Isabellah, Colton and Carter Hietala; Trista Morgan, Amber Arnold, Brooklynn and Sophia Tushkowski.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by three sisters, Ruby Oberholtzer, Dorothy Haluska, Bernice Gersy; two brothers, Theodore and August Halbesleben.

A memorial Mass will be held on Monday at 11 a.m. at St. Philomena Catholic Church with Rev. Anthony Ibekwe officiating. Visitation will be 9:30 a.m. until the time of services on Monday at the church.