Bruce L. Wedeles

Bruce Wedeles

Bruce L. Wedeles, age 71, of Darien formerly of Brookfield. Beloved son of the late George Wedeles and Helen Wedeles, nee Feifar; loving brother of the late Karen Wedeles, fond nephew of Theodore A. Feifar; cousin to William Feifar, Richard Feifar, Pete Wedeles, Paula Wedeles, Sandy Bensch; Visitation Monday, October 22, 2012, from 3 PM to time of service 8 PM. at Hitzeman Funeral Home, Ltd., 9445 W. 31st St., Brookfield. Interment Private Bohemian National Cemetery. Information 708-485-2000 or www.HitzemanFuneral.com

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Messages of Condolence

  1. Frank Nosil condolence:

    I am so very sorry to hear about Bruce’s passing. I’m glad I got the chance to visit & renew our friendship earlier this year in Ft Myers. I had not seen Bruce since the mid 1970’s. I will always remember him and the parties we went too and the great times in Lake Geneva and our youth in the 1960’s. He was very proud of the culinary entree’s he made for us. I will always remember his sense of humor and being able to laugh at himself. Respectfully – Frank & Peggy Nosil


  2. Rick and Marilyn Kuenster condolence:

    May Captain Bruce Valliant sail on into the high heavens via “the Good Lord” creator of all the wonderful seas, animals, nature and many friends the Captain cherished. with Love, Peace and Thanks, Rick, Mar, Joe, Tony, Comet, Myrle, Kitty, Peace and Serenity


  3. Elizabeth Perino condolence:

    I will dearly miss Bruce. We have had so many good time over the years. Hard to believe they have come to an end. May he rest in peace and God rest his soul.
    So sorry we never got to have our pizza date.
    Bruce you will be deeply missed.


  4. Corwin "CQ" Querrey condolence:

    I was very sorry to hear of Bruce’s passing. We became acquainted at Millikin University at the TKE fraternity house where I rushed Bruce hard and he eventually became my “little brother”. We had some wild times in Decatur, Ft Lauderdale, Champaign etc. during college days, and we stayed in touch after we graduated. I have great memories of trips on “The Valient” on Lake Michigan and the “Ark” in Florida,plus numerous trips to Wisconsin and elsewhere. I lived in FLA. for a while and I always looked forward to our annual tarpon fishing trip featuring Ward, Buck, Alfonse,Mole and a cast of characters. He was and always will be “The Captain” (he knew where the best fish fries were and where the beer was the coldest in Ft Meyers.) I hope Bruce and Ward will have better luck tarpon fishing in their new spot than we had here. My memories of Bruce are the best !!! May he rest in peace. CQ–Cave Creek, Az.


  5. Phyllis[Bob] Muehlebach condolence:

    I’m so sorry to hear about Bruce,i only met him once when Bob and i came to visit. I know that Bob thought alot of Bruce and had many good times together.they are together again so they can keep on having a good time together.


  6. Daniel R Klobnak condolence:

    I am sorry to hear of Bruce’s passing. I got to see Bruce 2 summers ago at Jimmies family picnic. He was always a nice man to be around and Bruce had many friends. Respectfully – Dan & Carol Klobnak


  7. Eileen, Scot and Laura Johnson condolence:

    We will surely miss The Captain. He brought all of the sailing group together for so many adventures. I’m sure my Stan will be welcoming him with a gin martini.
    Sail away, sail away, sail away…..


  8. Don Strugala condolence:

    I wish to send my condolences to the Bruce Wedeles Family as Bruce has been a long time Friend and partner in many ventures. But I also would like to extend this wish to the Friends of the “Captain” who have dearly lost a Mentor, Leader, Event Planner, Activity Activist, Organizer, who brought years of many memories that will be ever be implanted in all of us who the Captain has touched. The Captain’s Friends were Our Friends and Our Friends were the Captain’s. True to tradition and courage of many Captains who have sailed the Seas, with his words still ringing, “no Guts, no Glory”, Our Captain went down with his Vessel, the Valiant, may God Bless the Captain.
    Firstmate of the Valiant


  9. Nadine Pankow condolence:

    I knew Bruce from the Chalet Health Club in Willow Springs.
    He was a great friend and will sorely be missed.
    Rest in Peace.


  10. John Cara condolence:

    I offer condolences to the family and many friends of the Captain of the Valiant. I was dumbstruck by the sad news of Bruce’s passing. Although a friend and co-conspiritor of the Captain for decades, I was by no means as close to Bruce as were many others. The immediate and profond saddness I felt and still feels is no doubt shared by all those many whom he touched over the years. Sail on, Captain…


  11. Marjorie Brockman and George Muszynski condolence:

    Losing a friend like Bruce is very difficult. My faith in God tells me that he is happy now and in calm waters in the arms of God and has been reunited with all of his relatives passed on before him. Thanks, Bruce, for your friendship and laughter throughout the years. Just like you, the Valiant has been renewed and is waiting your command. The waters are now calm and you will have smooth sailing from now on! All you maties, yo ho!


  12. Jimmy Strugala condolence:

    I knew The Captain for 66 years. As kids lived 3 doors from each other on Sawyer Ave in Chicago. I shared an apartment with him for 8 years. I spent 44 years sailing in the summer and 40+ years wintering in Florida & Bahamas with him. He had the the ability to bring people together and many have remained friends for a very long time. He will be missed!


  13. terry & roseann niewiadomski condolence:

    Roseann & I new Bruce for decades and sailed with him on the Valiant. We were shocked at the news of his passing and will be remembered in our prayers.


  14. Jane Walicki (Mrs. Moose) condolence:

    I am so sadden to get the news about Bruce. I looked forward to seeing him again in the future and to go out for Connie’s Pizza again. I lost my husband in 2011 on April 19th. Bruce always referred to him as the Moose. We shared a lot of good times and wanted to keep the friendship going forever. I hope he and my husband are together now sailing off like old times. Please accept my condolences and tell everyone whom remember my Moose to stay in touch. Who knows maybe we’ll all sail together again someday. Peace be with you.


  15. Lee Russell condolence:

    Bruce Wedeles? 1941-2012: Sawyer Avenue close to 25th St. in Chicago. The Wedeles’, the Strugalas’, the Wolowiecs’: Sokol Chicago (gymnastics); the Sawyer Wildcats? 26th Street, Harrison High School;
    R.O.T.C.; college attendance at one time thought to me almost in perpetuity;
    TKE (Teak); south Drake apartment, (hanging bulls b___s!) Riverside house, Fontana, WI cottage; picnics at property; parties; Four Lakes; canoeing the Pine River; Burnham Harbor and sailing, sailing sailing: Fort Myers beach; oysters’ beer, beer, beer; hospitality and free meals for all in Florida; International Harvester manufacturing management, landlording with Alphonse; Good friend to the many who called him “friend”. Lover of family, friends and life” God blessed those of us who had the privilege of knowing him.


  16. Mike and Carole Strugala condolence:

    Carole and I wish to extend our condolences to family and friends of Captain Bruce.
    He was a mentor and friend to me.
    Please search the quote by Walt Whitman, O’ Captain, my Captain.
    It is meaniful to both Carole and myself, and is a beautiful poem in its own right- take from it what you will, if you will.
    Bruce indeed will be missed, his expert knowledge of sailing and leadership skills can not be replaced. His ability to make friends and get them organized can not be duplicated.
    His ability to speak the truth directly and not offend (most).
    All this and more will be missed.
    That’s why he will always be The Captain.


  17. Jolanta condolence condolence:

    My most sincere condolences to Bruce’s family and to all his many friends…What a profound loss to us all..I hope he realized how very special he was to so many people and what an integral part he played in so many lives..He supported me through some very difficult personal losses…But he lived and enjoyed his life, doing things “his way”..(one big fault>>SNORING).We had many years of good times and so we can share many great moments…WHAT A LEGACY…You will be so missed, my Captain…Sail On…


  18. Mary Jo Habenicht condolence:

    I have so many wonderful memories of my time spent with Bruce. He was interested in so many things and never boring.
    He had a huge heart and was so generous with his time and love. He brought people together through his love for his friends and a good time! I will always have a place in my heart for him.
    May God bless him.


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