David J. Kohler, age 78, of Kenosha, passed away peacefully, while surrounded by his family on Monday, September 21, 2015 at his residence, following a short battle with pancreatic cancer.

Born on November 25, 1936, in Rochester, NY, he was the son of the late Clarence and Frances (Houck) Kohler. He attended schools in New York and was a 1955 graduate of St. Thomas Aquinas all boys Catholic School.

Following his graduation from high school, Dave enlisted in the U. S. Coast Guard, where he served for two years before he was honorably discharged.

On May 30, 1959, Dave was united in marriage to Barbara Greb at St. George Catholic Church. They were blessed with three children and 56 years of marriage.

For 32 years, he was employed with the U.S. Postal Service as a letter carrier until his retirement in 1994. Dave went on to work as a bailiff for 18 years at the Kenosha County Courthouse under Judge Fischer and later with Judge Milisauskas.

He was a member of St. Elizabeth Catholic Church and the National Association of Letter Carriers. Dave was an avid fisherman and loved spending the last 21 years at his summer home in Mauston on Castle Rock Lake. He especially looked forward to spending time with his family and grandchildren, fishing and boating. Dave was a dedicated Green Bay Packers and New York Yankees fan, but nothing compared to supporting his favorite athletes; his grandchildren, at their numerous sporting events.

He will be deeply missed by his wife, Barbara; their three loving children, Ken (Kathy) Kohler, Lynda (Mike Welsh) Kohler and Anne (Steve) Gentz; his six cherished grandchildren, Danielle (Matt Gallagher) Kohler, Jessie and Jake Kohler, Olyvia, Tyler and Cole Gentz and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Dave was preceded in death by his sister, Sue Arena.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to Dr. Douglas Evans and his staff at Froedtert Hospital, Dr. Raymond Knight and his staff, as well as, the entire staff of Hospice Alliance for their kindness, care and compassion given to Dave and his family.

Service Info

Funeral services will be held on Friday, September 25, 2015. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:00 p.m. at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, 4817 7th Avenue. Relatives and friends are asked to meet at the church for the Mass. Private entombment will be held in Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery.