William "Bill" Fred Mengert

William F. Mengert, age 88, of Marion, peacefully passed away early Monday morning, June 22, 2026, at his home with his loving wife by his side.

William “Bill” Fred Mengert was born August 6, 1937, in New London, Wisconsin, son to the late Fred and Anna (Klotzbuecher) Mengert; he was baptized on August 22, 1937 and later confirmed in his faith on March 1, 1950. He grew up in the Weyawega area, attending local schools and graduating from Weyawega High School with the Class of 1956. Shortly after graduation, Bill answered the call to serve his country by enlisting in the U.S. Naval Reserves. He completed his basic training at Great Lakes Naval Base, where he specialized in electronics. Following his initial training, Bill balanced his reserve duties with civilian work for Carl Kiekhaefer, traveling across the Mediterranean as a skilled mechanic for high-performance cigarette race boats.

In 1981, Bill's life found its anchor when he was united in marriage to Joan M. Poppe on May 9th at Faith Lutheran Church in Fond du Lac. The following year, Bill began a distinguished 24-year career with the Oshkosh Truck Corporation as a service warranty representative. His expertise took him and his family across the country and the world. In 1983, Oshkosh Truck assigned him to Fort Riley, prompting a move to Manhattan, Kansas. By 1984, the family relocated to Tooele, Utah, where Bill worked closely with the personnel at the Tooele Army Depot. His career also took him overseas to numerous military bases globally, training personnel in Egypt, Germany, Korea, and Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Storm. Bill retired from Oshkosh Truck in 2003.

In 1995, Bill and Joan returned to Wisconsin, settling in Joan's hometown of Marion. Deeply dedicated to supporting his fellow veterans, Bill joined the William-Bertram American Legion Post #198 in 2005. He went on to lead the post as Commander for 14 years and was heavily instrumental in the development and realization of the Veterans' Park on Mavis Road. At the time of his passing, he proudly served as the Post Chaplain. Bill was also a man of deep faith and an active pillar of St. John's Lutheran Church in Marion. Over the years, he gave his time freely to the church council, served as a worship leader, and took great comfort in visiting church shut-ins. His love for community extended to athletics as well, having shared his knowledge as an assistant basketball coach at Marian College in Fond du Lac and an assistant football coach at Winnebago Lutheran Academy. In his personal time, Bill loved the quiet rhythms of rural life, raising beef cattle and horses on his ranch. He and Joan cherished their winters, spending a month in Florida's Mexico Beach for five consecutive years, and he could often be found enjoying a round of golf at Perry’s Landing in Marion. Bill was always a loving father who always had time for his children, family, and friends.

William is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Joan
His children: James Mengert, Timothy (Diane) Mengert, Merry (David) Arndt, Robert (Michele) Mengert, Paul (Melissa) Mengert, and step-daughters, Tracy Narf & Rachael Fischer
Grandchildren: Anna Jo (Nate) Majeskie, Zak (Jamie) Mengert, Ashley (Paul) Eggers, Shane (Sarah) Arndt, Derek (Jessica) Arndt, Sami (Alex) Thompson, Tylor Mengert, Meg (Jordan) Vanden Wymelenberg, Kate Mengert,  step-grandchildren Kai Narf, Ethan, Jonah, & Caleb Duwell
Great-grandchildren: Brynn, Baylee, & Brody Arndt, Rilee Mengert, & Logan Eggers
Sisters-in-law: Janet Fritz and Dorothy Poppe

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Mykel Mengert; his sister Marian Mengert; his in-laws, Fred and Edna Poppe; and brothers-in-law, James F. Poppe and Douglas Fritz.

Memorial services will be held at 11 AM on Friday, June 26, 2026 at St. Johns Lutheran Church, Marion, with Synod Authorized Minister Carol Polzin officiating. Military honor rites will be conducted following the service by members of the William Bertram American Legion Post #198 of Marion.

Visitation will take place on Friday at the church from 9 AM until the time of service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Bill’s name are preferred to be directed to St. Johns Lutheran Church, Marion.

The Eberhardt-Stevenson Funeral Home & Crematory, Marion is assisting the Mengert family.

An online guestbook is available at eberhardtstevenson.com.