Richard Cmeyla

Richard H. Cmeyla, 96, Luxemburg, passed away Monday, December 15, 2014.
Rich was born on February 12, 1918, in Kewaunee to the late Frank & Hattie (Kohls) Cmejla.

Richard graduated from Algoma High School in 1936. While in school he was a player on the only Algoma boys' basketball team to make it to the state tourney. Richard also played on the high school golf team.

Rich enlisted in the US Navy in 1940 and received his basic training at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center, where he attended Yeomen School. He was then transferred to Kaneohe Naval Air Station, Hawaii, in September 1941 and survived the Japanese Pearl Harbor attack on December 7, 1941. He later served in the South Pacific and returned to the states in 1943. Stationed in Norforlk, VA for 2 Years as Chief Yeoman he was then assigned to U.S.S. Wright. He received an honorable discharge in December 1946.

Richard married Elizabeth A. "Bess" DuChateau on June 12, 1943 in San Diego, CA. at St. Joseph Cathedral. After 70 years of marriage, she preceded him in death on February 18, 2014.

He graduated from the School of Banking, UW Madison and was employed at the Bank of Luxemburg for 35 years, working his way up from teller to Vice President. He was a member of N.B.A.C., President of the Kewaunee County Bankers Association, Treasurer of the Kewaunee Co. Fair Association for several years, Director of the Nicolet Area Boy Scout Council and Order of the Arrow, Treasurer of the Luxemburg Chamber of Commerce for 33 years, awarded Man of the Year in 1982 and Village President for 18 years, the longest tenure of the village and served on the original Board of Directors of Northbrook Country Club. He is a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Luxemburg. He was also a member of the American Legion Post 262 for 69 years and was on the firing squad for 50 years. He was a member of Pearl Harbor Survivors Association and Kaneohe Klippers.

Rich was an excellent bowler and competed in tournaments throughout the state and was an avid golfer for over 70 years, having accomplished a hole in one at Northbrook.

He especially loved being with his family and playing/joking around with his grandchildren.


Survivors include daughter, Laura (Christian) Tauziac, Pensacola, FL; sons, Joe (Cindy) Cmeyla, Green Bay and Jack Cmeyla, Luxemburg; grandchildren, James (Jennifer) Tauziac, Kristin, Kelsey and Karyn Cmeyla; sister, Joyce Petersen; brother-in-law, Joe (Anita) DuChateau; sister-in-law, Joan DuChateau and many nieces and nephews.

Richard is preceded in death by his wife; son, James; brothers, Kermit (Mable) Cmejla and Milton (Viola) Cmeyla; brothers-in-law, Donald Petersen, John DuChateau, Ron DuChateau and sister-in-law, Marie DuChateau.

Visitation will be held from 8:30am until time of service at 10:30am on Saturday December 20, 2014 at St. John Lutheran Church, 700 Heritage Road, Luxemburg, WI. . Burial will be next to his wife in St. Mary's Cemetery. Military honors will follow.

The Cmeyla Family wishes to extend a thank you to the staff at Bornemann's Nursing Home especially Brandon and St. Vincent's Hospital IMCU and Palliative Care Staff.