Robert Vern McGrail, age 94, of Hudson, Wisconsin, formerly of Chetek, Wisconsin, and Elgin, Illinois, died Wednesday, November 27, 2019. He was born December 23, 1924, in Minneapolis, Minnesota and graduated from Hudson High School in the class of 1943. After graduating, he enlisted in the U.S. Army.

Robert (“Bob”) was a respected WWII POW Veteran. His “U.S. Army Air Corps” cap was a part of his daily attire, and was a member of the American Legion in Chetek. He made his career as a plant manager in the printing and food-packaging industry as plastics emerged, starting in Farmington, MN, and later moving to Elgin, IL. An avid fisherman, his prize catch was a walleye, (often referred to as “that damn fish”)–which he mounted for all to view.

Bob had a lively sense of humor. In his spare time, he enjoyed reading, tackling sudoku puzzles, and playing cribbage with his friends and family. Many photo opportunities arose while traveling extensively around the U.S., and he and Iona recently spent winters in the warmth of Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Bob is survived by his loving wife, Iona, three children and five step children: Jeane (Eldon) Schulz, John McGrail, Catherine (Kenneth) Saffle, Michael Weinberg, Patricia Weinberg, Robert (Cory) Weinberg, William Weinberg, and Steven Weinberg; a brother Frank (Dorothy) McGrail; and many loving grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and extended family. Bob was a loving father, husband, grandfather, uncle, and friend.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Edwin Clinton McGrail and Wilhelmina (Zarske) McGrail; sister, Elizabeth “Betty” Jacobs; and stepson Thomas Weinberg.

A special thank you to the people at Red Cedar Canyon Senior Living Community, and St. Croix Hospice, for their loving care and support during his final days.

Memorial services for Robert McGrail will be held at 2:00 PM, Saturday, December 21, 2019 at O’Connell’s Funeral Home, Hudson, Wisconsin. Friends may visit with family at 1:00 PM before the memorial.

Photo ©2015 Jeane McGrail