Gilbert 'Sarg' Verbist

Gilbert "Sarg" Verbist, Retired Sergeant Major, age 88, of N11040 Mail Route Road, Tomahawk, passed away Saturday, March 22, 2014 at St. Mary's Hospital in Rhinelander. Gil was born on November 21, 1925 in Holland to Emil and Bertha Verbist. He enlisted in the United States Army and spent 30 years with various Airborne Units as a paratrooper, retiring with the 82nd Airborne. He had served 2 tours in the Korean War and 4 tours in the Viet Nam War. He retired in 1978 and moved back to the Harrison area. Sarg enjoyed working in his yard and buying new vehicles. Survivors include: sons, Gilbert "Bing" (Cindi) Verbist, Clarksville, TN, Ripcord (Rachael) Verbist, Rhinelander; daughters, Julie Ann Pace, Clarksville, TN, Canopy Verbist-Blaszke, Rhinelander, WI; former wives, Betty Verbist, Harrison, Wanda Verbist, Merrill; sister, Marie (Dale) Strassman, Tomahawk. He is further survived by twelve grandchildren, two great grandchildren, and his cat, Spike. Sarg was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Emil, and two sisters, Rose and Corrie. A Mass of Christian burial with military honors will be held on Friday, March 28, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Harrison. Fr. Simon Boyapati will officiate. Burial will be in the parish cemetery in the spring. The family will receive friends at the Krueger Family Funeral Home on Thursday evening from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with vigil service at 7:30 p.m. Visitation will continue Friday morning at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Mass at 11:00 a.m.