William Broske

William J. “Bill” Broske, 92, of Platteville died on Sunday, January 6, 2019. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday, January 10, 2019 at First English Lutheran Church, Platteville. Chapel Military Rites will be accorded by American Legion Post #42 and VFW Post #5274, Platteville. Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery, Platteville. Friends may call from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 9, 2019 at the Melby Funeral Home & Crematory, Platteville, and from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service on Thursday at the church. Memorials may be made to the William J. Broske Trust for scholarships and travel to undeveloped countries to learn their customs, and to further promote world peace and friendship. The Melby Funeral Home & Crematory, Platteville, is serving the family. Online condolences can be made at www.melbyfh.com

Bill was born on August 14, 1926 in Platteville, Wisconsin, the son of William H. and Lela A. (Dietzman) Broske. Bill was united in marriage to Mary Lou Kirk on July 1, 1972 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Bill graduated from Rewey High School. He served in the United States Army during WW II from 1944 – 1946 where he was in the Pacific Theater and also the occupation of Japan that followed. He received his BS in Science and later his MS in Science of Agriculture Industries at UW-Platteville. Bill worked with his father in the family cheese and butter manufacturing business. After 25 years with the cheese business he sold the corporation. After the sale of the corporation he was a cheese and food inspector with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, whom he worked for 18 years. He also became a valued international cheese judge. After his retirement Bill became very involved in volunteer work with developing countries in helping them develop sustainable ways to make cheese and market their own cheese, butter, yogurt and ice cream from all types of animals may it be, cattle, sheep, water buffalo or goat. Bill was a member of First English Lutheran Church, life time member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Masonic Lodge, Zor Shrine a board member of the University of Wisconsin – Platteville Foundation Board, member and past president of Rotary International, member of Platteville Firends of International Students at UW-Platteville. Bill was very civic, community and internationally minded where he belonged to many organizations and received many awards and distinctions.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Lou Broske. He was preceded in death by his parents, and sister, Mary Ellen Broske.