Richard Lewis

Richard Frank Lewis helped fight fires for nearly half a century.

He was a member of the Cedar Grove Fire Department for 49 years and served as chief and assistant chief.

Mr. Lewis, 70, of Cedar Grove, died March 14, at Aurora BayCare Medical Center in Green Bay.

He was born Aug. 17, 1947, to Laurence and Inez Fuerst Lewis in Waupaca.

He was a graduate of Cedar Grove High School.

On Nov. 2, 1974, Mr. Lewis married Mary Wiegerling at St. Peter Claver Catholic Church in Sheboygan.

He worked in maintenance at Larsen Canning Co., Trak International and Modern Equipment.

Mr. Lewis was a member of First Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Cedar Grove.

He enjoyed bowling, gardening, bird watching and doing jigsaw puzzles.

Mr. Lewis is survived by his wife Mary of Cedar Grove; daughter Michelle (Philip) Burns of Cedar Grove; son Robert (Michelle) of Muskego; grandchildren Sara and Chloe Burns and Alana and Nolan Lewis; sister Jeanette Rauscher; brothers-in-law John (Donna) Wiegerling, Steve (Meg Konlock) Wiegerling, Tony (Roxanne) Wiegerling and Donald Gruenke; and sisters-in-law JoAnne Huiras, Sister Julia Wiegerling and Audrey Wiegerling.

He was preceded in death by his parents Laurence and Inez Lewis; brother Jan; brothers-in-law Tom and Mike Wiegerling, Alby Rauscher, Steve Huiras and Roger Derus; sisters-in-law Helen Gruenke, Kathy Raunio, Joyce Derus and Nancy Lewis; and an infant son.

A funeral service was held March 20 at First Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Cedar Grove. Burial was to be at Presbyterian Cemetery in Cedar Grove.

Memorials to the Cedar Grove Fire Department are encouraged.

Wenig Funeral Home of Oosburg handled arrangements.