Louis De Cleene - Tribute Video (tributeslides.com)

Please use the above link to view Mr. De Cleene's funeral mass.

Louis John De Cleene, 88, Green Bay, passed away Wednesday, October 20, 2021.  He was born September 7, 1933 in Green Bay, to John "Jack" and Viola (Binon) De Cleene.

He attended East High School before joining the U.S. Navy on May 8, 1951.  On May 12, 1953 Louis married Betty Jean Buckarma, from Green Bay.  They were married in Dubuque, Iowa and she preceded him in death on August 14, 2010.  Together they had four sons.

Louis served his country for over 20 years.  While in the Navy, Louis served on seven different ships: USS Des Moines CA – 134, USS North Hampton CA – 26, USS Bristol DD – 857, USS Shenandoah AD – 26, USS Sierra AD – 18, USS Halsey DLG – 23 and USS Pocono LCC – 16.  Louis was also stationed on Adak, Alaska, way out in the Aleutian Islands, where he made the rank of Chief Petty Officer.  Throughout his time, he received several medals including, National Defense Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with two service stars, Lebanon Crisis Medal, WWII Occupation Medal and the U.S. Navy Good Conduct Medal with five service stars.  He was also a lifetime member of the VFW Post 2037, FRA Branch180 and the American Legion 2014.

When Louis got out of the Navy, he came back to Green Bay.  He became a guard at the Wisconsin State Reformatory.  In November of 1971, during a riot, he was very much involved in helping bring things back to order, having to discharge his weapon more than once; 16 plus hours later, he came back to his family.  In 1972, he and Betty took over ownership of Bucks Fish Trucking Company, from his father-in-law, Mike Buckarma.  At various times over the next 12 years all four sons worked for them.  In 1984, they liquidated the company and retired together.  During retirement, he and Betty enjoyed traveling and went to all 50 states.

Louis was an avid old Cadillac collector.  He enjoyed buying one, fixing it up and selling it; then it was onto the next one!  Some of the cars he worked on were sent to Florida, Canada and Hawaii.  At one time, he had up to 15 Cadillacs!

He is survived by his four sons and their spouses, Jacob De Cleene, Jon (Nancy) De Cleene, Jamie (Cindy) De Cleene, Jeffrey (Roxanne) De Cleene; grandchildren, Shannon, Brittany, Kate (Justyn), Molly, Justin; great-grandchildren, Jude, Skylar, Malakai, Presley; sisters, Audrey Latus, Patricia (Jerry) Ziefle; a brother-in-law, Ron Fisher; a sister-in-law, Marcella De Cleene.

Louis was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Jean; his parents; his father and mother-in-law, Mike and Ethel (Isaacson) Buckarma; his siblings, Nona Fisher, Eben De Cleene, Joan De Cleene, Joyce (Thomas) Klaus; and a brother-in-law, Walter Latus.

Visitation will be at Blaney Funeral Home, 1521 Shawano Ave., from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, October 28.  Visitation will continue Friday, October 29 at St. Agnes Catholic Church, 1484 Ninth Street.,  from 10 to 11 a.m.; followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. with Rev. Patrick C. Beno officiating.  Burial will be in Fort Howard Memorial Park.  To send online condolences, please go to www.BlaneyFuneralHome.com .