David John Gerrits

David John Gerrits, First Sergeant (Ret.) of White Lake, died on Monday, May 16, 2016 at Langlade Hospital. He was 73 years old. He was born October 3, 1942 in De Pere, son of the late Joseph, Sr. and Christine (Reynders) Gerrits. He married Karlene MacDonald on November 6, 1965 in Neenah. He was a 1961 graduate of Neenah High School. He then served in the US Army from 1961-1964. He also served in the Wisconsin Army National Guard from 1977-1997. He was a member of American Legion Post #524 in White Lake, Teamsters Union, and Wisconsin National Guard Enlisted Association. David was employed as an ASE certified auto mechanic for Neenah Skelly. He later worked for Bergstrom Paper, ARA Services, and as an over the road truck driver for Laser and drove shuttle delivery for Coenen Transport. He continued to utilize his mechanical skills working on engines and fabricating. David also maintained his CDL license and his ASE certification after his retirement. He and Karlene raised their family in Appleton and then retired to White Lake. David enjoyed cooking Sunday breakfast of bacon and eggs. He liked motorcycles, hunting and shooting sports, snowmobiling, boating, and driving his Daihatsu. He also enjoyed teaching his grandchildren cribbage, Uno, and sheephead. In addition to his wife, he is survived by two sons, Bradley Gerrits of Fort Atkinson, and Scott Gerrits of Cheyenne, WY; an "extra son" Dan (Carol) Bouchette of Clintonville; three grandchildren, Victoria, Gabriel, and Jonathan Gerrits; five "extra grandchildren", Dakota Diehl, Gunnar Ehlers, Kenny Wickersham II, Brittany and Megan Bouchette; three sisters, Jackie Hoppe of Menasha, Janice (Jim) Geldmeyer of Oshkosh, and Diane Mykel of Neenah; and a brother, Joseph (Gloria) Gerrits, Jr. of Wabeno. He was preceded in death by his parents; his stepmother who raised him from childhood, Leona Matilda (Collen) Gerrits; and an infant brother, Jimmy Gerrits. A funeral service will take place Saturday at 11:00 AM at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church in White Lake. Reverend Nathan Kramer will officiate. Visitation will be held Friday from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Strasser-Roller Funeral Home in Antigo and on Saturday at the church from 10:00 AM until the service. Military honors will follow the service at the church.