Obituary of Vilas A. Gumz

Vilas A. Gumz, age 78, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, March 17, 2017 at his home in Rudolph. Family and friends are invited to attend Vila’s Life Celebration on Tuesday, March 28, 2017 from 3:00 P.M. until 6:00 P.M. with a service starting at 6:00 P.M. at Herman-Taylor Funeral Home in Wisconsin Rapids. Vilas was born on July 3, 1938 in the town of Rudolph to George and Olga (Stauffer) Gumz. Vilas proudly served in the US Army from 1961 until 1963. He married Sue Jenkin on September 24, 1960. Their marriage later ended in divorce in 1977. He was employed by Consolidated Paper Company for over forty years as a machine operator. Vilas was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and feeding wildlife. He also liked to go fishing in Tomahawk on Swamp Lake and catch anything that would bite. Vilas loved his grandchildren and would always give them rides in the backyard on his lawnmower, which he used as a four-wheeler. He had a talent for winning at claw games and the grandkids would never leave his house without some stuffed animals. Even though Vilas was a man of few words, he enjoyed being around people and making them laugh. Vilas liked to sign in at local establishments, play the football pools, and cheer for the Packers if they were winning. In his spare time, he liked to work on his tractors and attend tractor shows. Growing up with nine siblings made family important to him and he enjoyed being with them, especially around the holidays. He is survived by his nine siblings: Janet O’Shasky, Norman (Kathy) Gumz, Delores Bier, Lloyd Gumz, Lyle (Jackie) Gumz, Alvin (MaryLou) Gumz, Eleanor (Tony) Sazama, Evelyn Gumz, and Ellen (Matt) Bates; three children: Tami Gumz, Tom (Sheryl) Gumz, and Patti (Andy) Gburek; seven grandchildren: Theresa (Kirk) Gehl, Brad, Ashley, Jessie, Joe, Lizzie, and Nick; three great-grandchildren: Sylvia, Dylan, and Leon; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He is preceded in death by his parents and two brother- in-laws: Bud O’Shasky and Gene Bier.