Vilo W. Bessac

PORTAGE  --  Vilo W. Bessac, age 72, of Portage, died on Saturday, December 13, 2008.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 noon on Friday, December 19, 2008 at the Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage, with Pastor Tom Countryman officiating.  Inurnment will be private.  Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. on Friday until the time of the service at noon at the Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage.

Vilo was born on April 16, 1936 in Dalton, Wisconsin, the son of Winfred C. and Bessie I. (Cruckson) Bessac.  He drove truck for Davis Construction, retiring in 2001.  Vilo was an avid race car fan, having attended many races.  He was a member of the Matt Kenseth Fan Club.  Vilo loved the outdoors, having spent a lot of time cutting wood.

He is survived by four children, Steve (Sue) Bessac, Madison, Jeanette (Tim) Lange, Portage, Ken (Lisa) Bessac, New Richmond, and Robin (Wayne) Smith, Portage;  grandchildren, Zak (Jaimee), Brad (Sara), Lance, David (Teresa), Marsha (Jake), Derek, Victoria, Krystle, Hailey, Josie, Austin, Bruce, and Cheyanne;  great-grandchildren, A.J., Andrew, Jocelyn, and Jazmin;  his sister, Helen (Harry) Blumer;  a brother-in-law, Bill Meyer, Iowa;  his close friend, Connie Shepard;  nieces, nephews, other relatives and many close friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents, a son, Bruce, a great-granddaughter, Chloe, and a sister, Mary Meyer.