Victor “Vic” Gschwender

Victor Ludwig Gschwender was born in Lucas, Ohio on March 4, 1923 to parents Charles Jacob Gschwender (1887-1953) and Anna Marie Horn (1888-1933). He had multiple siblings including Marguerite Angela, William Roger, Joseph Jacob, Charles Edward, Albert, Anna, Richard Lawrence, and Alfred Gschwender. As a young man, Victor enlisted in the United States Army, serving as a soldier in World War II. He was part of the Greatest Generation, a group of men and women who fought bravely and sacrificed so much for their country. After the war, Victor returned to civilian life and settled in Lakeland, Florida, where he met and fell in love with his future wife, Doris Catherine Kennel (1929-2007). They married on January 24, 1948 in Dayton, Ohio and spent 57 wonderful years together, raising a son, Jerry, and building a life filled with love, laughter, and joy. Victor worked as a painter for Walt Witte & Sons for many years, and he took great pride in his work. He was known for his attention to detail and his ability to turn a simple space into a work of art. Victor's life was not without its challenges, however. He lost his beloved wife, Doris, and three of his siblings before his own passing. Despite these losses, Victor remained resilient and focused on the things that truly mattered in life: family, friends, and community. On December 13, 2008, Victor passed away at Lakeland Regional Medical Center due to respiratory failure. He was 85 years old.