Reginald Newton

Reginald A. "Reggie" Newton, age 70, passed away Tuesday, June 5, 2017 at the Wisconsin Veterans Home in King where he had been a member since February of 2015. He was born in Wausau on February 26, 1947, the son of Lowell and Esther (Gazdecki) Newton.

Reggie graduated from Merrill High School in 1966. He received a music scholarship and sang with a goodwill tour group for two months in six European countries. He served in the US Navy from 1966 till his honorable discharge in 1970. As a trained aircraft mechanic, he worked on the USS Hancock and several other carriers completing three tours of Viet Nam and one tour of the Mediterranean. After his discharge he was employed as a long distance truck driver for a variety of trucking companies; for the last 26 years with G.G. Barnett Transport, Beaver Dam from which he retired in 2014. Reggie was a life time member of VFW Post #6614 Marshall/Waterloo.

Music was always an important part of Reggie's life. While at King, he enjoyed singing for his fellow members and staff and for the memorial services held in the chapel. He developed special friendships with many of the staff and members at King and will be missed.

Reggie is survived by his mother, Esther of Palmetto, FL, his sister Debbie Newton-Tainter (Larry Tainter) of McFarland, his sister-in-law Mitzi Dzienkowski (Bill) of Stoughton, step-daughters Vickie Toth of Fall River and Paula Weeden (Eric) of Marshall, several other step-children, grandchildren and nephews and nieces.

He is preceded in death by his father and brother, Newton T. Newton.

A funeral mass will be held on Wednesday, June 14, 2017, at 11:00 a.m. at Christ the King Catholic Church in McFarland, WI, with Fr. Steve Smith officiating. Visitation will be held at the Church beginning at 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. A Military Honors ceremony will follow the service. Internment will be at the Highland Memory Gardens in Cottage Grove.

The family would like to thank the caring staff and volunteers at the Wisconsin VA and ThedaCare Hospice in Waupaca. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the VA at King, WI or ThedaCare Hospice Foundation / Waupaca, 1818 N. Meade St., Appleton, WI 54911.