Robert Wesley Burkel, age 78, of Keshena, passed away on Thursday, October 8, 2015 at home. Robert was born in Howard on July 26, 1937 to the late Everett and Mable (Zastrow) Burkel. Robert is survived by: his wife Donna Yvonne Burkel; his children, Steve (Denise) Burkel, Robin (Andy) Paplham, Tavon (Jeff Lyons) Burkel, Terri (Chuck) Conn and Ty Brooks; five grandchildren, Kathy, Mike, Alec, Cole, and Jovon; three great grandchildren, Carter, Parker, and Casey; his sisters and brother, Jean Goral, Joan Weber, Patti (Herbert) Brown, James (Phyllis) Burkel; his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Kay Burkel, Carol Burkel, Dick Fay, Randolph (Lauri) Reiter, Selene (John) Jackson, Patricia (Tony) Martin, Rudolph Reiter, Guy (Winifred) Reiter, Yolonda (Lyle) Tourtillotte, Ava Fowler, and Ardie (Carol) Reiter, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers, sisters and in-laws, Ronald (Shirley) Burkel, Mary (Gary) Mettler, Daniel, Gerald, and Charles Burkel, Wendy Fay, Larry Goral, Bud Weber, Anthony Reiter, Jr., Albert Fowler; his father-in-law, Antone Reiter, Sr.; his mother-in-law, Alegra Reiter. Robert's wishes were that a private family service be held. Swedberg Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements. The family would like to extend a special thank you to ThedaCare Hospice nurses, Nancy and Heather, Robert's social worker, Chasity, as well as Darcy Jackson.