Paul E. Veleke

Paul “Vegus” E. Veleke, age 86, of Ripon, WI joined his loving wife, Marie, in heaven on Tuesday, October 1, 2024 at Hospice Home of Hope in Fond du Lac, WI, after a brief battle with cancer, with his children by his side.

Paul was born in Fond du Lac on March 7, 1938, son of Herman and Grace (Redeker) Veleke. He graduated from Brandon High School and went on to continue his education at DeVry Technical School in Chicago, IL. Paul served our county in the U.S. Navy. On June 16, 1962 he married Marie Kottke, and she passed away in 2021. Paul worked at Ripon radio WCWC for many years throughout the 60’s - 70’s and became known and loved on-air as “Paul Vegus.” Later on he purchased a TV sales/repair shop which became “Paul’s TV” in Ripon. Paul also had worked in insurance at Lutheran Brotherhood; at Smucker’s for bit; and also enjoyed his time working at a landscape nursery in the area.

Paul was very devoted and active at Grace Lutheran Church in Ripon, where he taught Sunday School and Confirmation classes, and up until his last days was a sound/technology person for the church. In his spare time, Paul was always tinkering with a project at home. He enjoyed working on wood projects or whatever he could get his hands on. He loved watching the wildlife and feeding the birds in his yard. Spending time with his family was most important to him, and that often included a good game of Rook. Paul was a humble man who took time for anyone. He was a gentle, loving mentor to many, and will be missed dearly.

Paul is survived by his children, Daniel (Barbara) Veleke of Dadeville, AL and Renee (Joe) Wallstead of Cleveland, WI; three grandchildren, Allison (Jacob) Tarnowski, Grace Wallstead, and Landon Veleke; and three sisters-in-law, Angie Tank, Cirena Lenz and Fern Rathsack. He was preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Grace Veleke; loving wife, Marie “Mickey” Veleke; brothers, Horace (Ella Mae), Lyle (Helen) and Wayne Veleke; a sister-in-law, Audrey Kottke; and brother-in-law, Keith Kottke.

Visitation for Paul will be held from 9:00 until 11:00 am on Saturday, October 5, 2024 at Grace Lutheran Church, 430 Griswold St., Ripon, WI 54971.

A memorial service for Paul will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, October 5, 2024 at Grace Lutheran Church in Ripon, with Rev. Clay R. Salmela officiating. You may view a livestream of the service at 11:00 am by visiting GRACE LIVESTREAM. Inurnment will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery, Ripon, WI, with a final salute and full military honors. A memorial is being established in his name.

Paul’s family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the entire staff of SSM Hospice Home of Hope; the Hospice visiting nurses; Hospice homecare; and his entire Grace Lutheran Church family for all their wonderful care and support.