Carl William Fehlinger, 82, passed away on Friday morning, June 11, 2021 at his home after an extended battle with cancer.
The second of six children born to Carl Otto and Anna (Selm) Fehlinger on Sept. 1, 1938 in Brookville, Billy graduated from St. Michael School and remained a lifelong parishioner. He was part of Brookville High School’s Class of 1956, competing in varsity football and track/field.
Bill served in the U.S. Navy from 1957-60. Stations included Maryland, California and Washington state, as well as Atsugi in Japan. He was proud of playing competitive basketball and also met 2-time Olympic Gold Medal swimmer Mike Troy while overseas.
Upon his honorable discharge, he met and soon married the love of his life – “Schatzi” – Helga Schwarz on Aug. 24, 1963 at St. Teresa of Avila, Cincinnati. In 1972, the family moved to the yellow house with its wrap-around porch that became home for the six Fehlinger children and countless visitors, young and old.
Bill retired from Monsanto in 1993 after over 30 years in the storeroom. At an old-timer’s basketball game at Spartan Bowl that fall, Bill suffered cardiac arrest and was revived by EMT Chris Shorter, whose heroism provided the family with nearly 30 more years of memories.
Family was paramount to Bill. He enjoyed bike rides with young ones as long as he was able and taught each of his kids to play tennis. As funny as the day is long, Bill held court at long card games around the kitchen table – no person or subject was off limits.
Bluegrass and country music – especially gospel – were special to Bill and he appreciated tunes from 33 RPM up to Alexa. An important friendship was with the late Aubrey Holt of The Boys from Indiana, a Monsanto coworker. He loved dancing and attended many dances with Helga at the Cincinnati Donauschwaben Society. Bill was patriotic, faithful, pro-life and loved children. He was named a Kentucky Colonel.
Surviving are Helga, his wife of over 57 years; children David of Brookville, Darren (Doris) of San Antonio, Dennis (Leslie) of Cincinnati, Holly (Bill) Mappes of Indianapolis, William of Brookville and Elizabeth (Joe) Bath of Brookville; grandchildren Megan, Trevor, Haidyn and Andrew Fehlinger of Cincinnati, Emma, Jake and Grace Mappes of Indianapolis, Connery and Devin Fehlinger of San Antonio and Spencer, Claudia and Gwyneth Bath of Brookville; brother Michael (Sherry) of Brookville; sisters Maryanne Fehlinger and Vickie Prybyla of Brookville; cousins, nieces, nephews and in-laws.
Preceding him in death, along with parents, were brother James Fehlinger and sister Regina (Tom) Hoff and many aunts, uncles, cousins and in-laws.
Friends and family may visit Cook-Rosenberger Funeral Home, 929 Main St., Brookville, IN 47012 from 5-8 p.m. on Wednesday, June 16. Father Vincent Lampert will officiate a Mass of Christian Burial Thursday, 10:30 a.m. at St. Michael. Burial will follow at St. Michael Cemetery with military rites by American Legion Bernard Hurst Post 77. Memorial contributions can be made to St. Michael School.
The staff of Cook-Rosenberger Funeral Home is honored to once again serve the Fehlinger family. To leave condolences online, visit cookrosenberger.com.