Norman (Norm) Joseph Champeau, 77, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 18, 2016 after a long illness. He was lovingly surrounded by his family at home. Norm was born on February 28, 1939 in Bay Settlement, WI to the late Edward and Josephine (Kujava) Champeau.

Norm served in the U.S. Navy from 1956 to 1958. He enjoyed the time he spent serving his country. After the Navy, he married his dear love Margaret (Toots) Heyrman on May 21, 1960 at St. Philip Church in Green Bay. Norm served an apprenticeship as a mason, and throughout the years, he mastered his craft and started a business with brother-in-law, partner and friend, Dick Heyrman, until his retirement in 2000. His life-long passions included fishing, hunting (the deer and fish were always bigger than everyone else's), spending time at the cottage, trips to Canada, making wood and reading. Norm could play a mean game of poker and loved his western movies. He was a private, religious man with a gentle and caring heart. If you had a question about religion, history or current events, he could answer them all.

Norm will be missed and is survived by his wife of 56 unforgettable years, Margaret (Heyrman) Champeau, Green Bay. Together they raised four children, Tina (Chris) Pierquet, Joanne (Dale) DeJardin, Tammy Harteau (fiancé Jimmy Mendez), Jim (Jill) Champeau, all of Green Bay. Norm and Toots were also blessed with eight grandchildren, Cory (Katie) Champeau, Adam (Sara) Hallet, Abby Harteau (special friend Josh Besson), Morgan Pierquet (special friend Ben McKaeg), Brooke Hallet (fiancé Peter Wrenn), Christopher Pierquet, Evan and Sophia Champeau; two great grandchildren, Preslie and Max Champeau; brothers and sisters, Martha Kienzel, Barb (Roy) Boucher, John (Gloria) Champeau, Don Champeau, Steve (Judy) Champeau, Cindy Champeau (special friend Ken Glinski), Mark Champeau (special friend Becky), Edward (Nora) Champeau; brothers and sisters-in-law, Dick (Joan) Heyrman, Roger (Mary) Heyrman, Evelyn Moore, Betty VandenLangenberg;

Norm was preceded in death by his parents; in-laws, Edward (Josephine) Heyrman; brothers and sisters-in-law, Charles (Audrey) Champeau, Ronald Stank, Patrick Champeau, Janet Champeau, Harvey Moore, Cliff (Delores) Heyrman, Harold (Audrey) Gerrits, Len VandenLangenberg, John (Mary) Klueskens, Bill (Marcella) Vandeurzen, Robert Heyrman.

Family and friends may call at the Pfotenhauer Funeral Home & Cremation Service, East-Town location, 2379 East Mason St., on Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2016 from 4 until 7:30 p.m. Prayer Service 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Visitation continues on Thursday at St. Bernard Catholic Church, 2040 Hillside Lane, Green Bay, from 10 until 11:00 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial 11:00 a.m. at the church with Father Mark Vander Steeg officiating. Online condolences welcome at www.PfotenhauerFuneralHome.com

The family would like to express their gratitude and appreciation to Norm's sister Cindy for donating her bone marrow that gave us 10 more precious years with him. We would also like to thank Dr. Longo from the University of Madison for creating miracles for him and Dr. Jason Hoppe for your compassionate care.

Fisherman's Prayer

I pray that I may live to fish,

until my dying day.

And when it comes to my last cast,

I then most humbly pray:

When in the Lord's great landing net

and peacefully asleep

that in His mercy I be judged

big enough to keep.