Wilfred Ernest Thiel, age 85, of La Grange, passed away on May 30, 2011, at St. Mark’s Medical Center in La Grange.
Wilfred was born on October 4, 1925 at Blackjack, Texas to August Thiel and Elsa Kiesling Thiel. He was united in marriage to Herta Merkel on December 14, 1948 in Vienna, Austria. His wife preceded him in death on April 21, 1992.
Wilfred retired from the United States Army and the United States Postal Service.
Wilfred is survived by a sister, Violet Cade of Houston, a niece, Valerie Maynard of Houston; cousins, Emil and Sue Kiesling, Elaine and Richard Halpain, Maxine and Henry Holub, Doris Robson, Joe Friedel, Elna and Leebert Brune, Milton and Diane Thiel, George and Betty Thiel, Wilburn and Bernice Koenig, Gladys and Milton Koehl, Harvey and Wanda Kiesling and adopted cousin Mary Lou McElroy. He was a special “Uncle” to Dawn and Aaron Porter and children, Tilden, Gracie and Nikki; Edward and Sherrie Halpain and children Ryder and Rory; and Matthew and Carrie Halpain.
Wilfred was preceded in death by his wife and his parents and cousins, Iva Friedel and Jeff Robson.
Visitation is scheduled for Wednesday June 1, 2011, from 9:00 AM until 8:00 PM at Fayette Memorial Funeral Home in La Grange. The family will receive visitors from 7:00 PM until 8:00 PM.
Funeral services are scheduled for Thursday June 2, 2011, at 10:00 AM at Fayette Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in La Grange.
Interment will be on June 8, 2011, at 1:00 PM at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio with full military honors.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Red Cross Military Care Package Drive, 255 Svoboda Lane, La Grange, or the charity of one’s choice.