Meet our team at Proko-Wall Funeral Home

Our team of dedicated and professional staff are honored to support you through the process of memorializing your loved one. Our funeral directors are available 24 hours per day, 7 days a week to walk you through the process of saying goodbye to your loved one. Our goal is to make the process as stress-free as possible.

Our Directors

Robert J. Walczyk Jr.

Owner - Funeral Director

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Robert J. Walczyk Jr.

Owner - Funeral Director

Bob has been here for almost 50 years, “since the plaster went on the walls” and is the owner of Proko-Wall. His strongest assets are his empathetic approach to families in their time of grief, and his creativity in helping them establish a positive memory of their loved one. He was recognized by the Green Bay Diocese with the Faith that Works Award in 2019 for his dedication to serving the griefstricken in our community. Bob is a member of the National Railroad Museum and the Green Bay Preble Optimist Club. He serves on a college advisory committee at NWTC. In the past, Bob has been a board member for Big Brothers Big Sisters and My Brother’s Keeper. He is a member of Prince of Peace Catholic Parish, as well as numerous professional organizations. In his spare time, he enjoys time with his wife, Annette, their two daughters, Sarah and Emily, and two grandchildren, Oliver and Paige. Bob is an avid hunter and fisherman and enjoys woodworking, sketching, painting, motorcycling and snowmobiling.

Robert J. Walczyk Sr.

Founder - Retired

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Robert J. Walczyk Sr.

Founder - Retired

Bob Walczyk Sr. began his career in funeral service in 1962, at Findeisen Greiser Funeral Home in Green Bay. In 1969, he and Gerald Proko ventured out on their own and established Proko-Wall Funeral Home in Green Bay, at it’s present location on East Mason Street. Over his career as a licensed funeral director Bob Sr. was involved in numerous professional organizations, service organizations and is an active member of St. Mary of the Angels parish where he still belongs. Bob is presently enjoying his retirement working part time at the funeral home and spending winters in Florida. He enjoys a round of golf, a good cigar and spending time with his family.

Jeane Smits

Managing Funeral Director

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Jeane Smits

Managing Funeral Director

Jeane Smits is a licensed funeral director with over 30 years experience and a licensed agent for burial agreements. She is a graduate of St. Joseph Academy and MATC with an Associate Degree in Funeral Service and UW-Green Bay with a degree in Social Change and Development, all summa cum laude. Jeane and her husband, Chad Biemeret, live in Allouez with their cats, Buddy and Stache. In addition to various professional organizations, Jeane is the secretary of the Green Bay West Rotary Club, and a eucharistic minister and member of the Social Justice and Human Concerns Committee at St. Matthew Parish. She has also volunteered as an advocate for abused youth, women and the homeless with The Violence Intervention Project and St. John’s Homeless Shelter. She is a past office holder for the Fox River Valley District of the WFDA and served on an advisory panel for the Department of Regulation and Licensing. Jeane has received numerous awards for outstanding performance and dedication in customer service for pre-need and received the Manager of the Year award from The Loewen Group, Inc. while employed at Schauer & Schumacher Funeral Home.

“Even as a child, I was called to the sacred ministry that is funeral service. In a nutshell, I meet wonderful people on some of their most difficult days, and have the honor of helping them celebrate the life of the loved one they have lost. Equally as important, these fine people trust me to walk with them on the beginning their grief journey, hopefully offering comfort and peace of mind. These are responsibilities I do not take lightly. I have had some amazing mentors in Green Bay and am proud to serve the community at what I feel is the finest facility in all of Northeastern Wisconsin, with some of the best people I have ever met.” Jeane Smits

Joshua Ferguson

Funeral Director

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Joshua Ferguson

Funeral Director

Joshua joined the staff of Proko-Wall Funeral Home in 2015. Born in Fond du Lac, he graduated from Horace Mann High School and Milwaukee Area Technical College with an Associate Degree in Funeral Service. He had formerly worked at funeral homes in Ripon and Oshkosh before moving to the west side of Green Bay. Joshua and his wife Jennifer have three children, Izzy, Ira, and Ivanna. A loveable mutt, Emma, completes the family. Joshua enjoys playing guitar, reading and building models. Families often remark on his caring and patient manner.

“How was I called to funeral service? A close friend of mine passed away-he was just 25 years old. It was unexpected and sudden. Over the week preceding the funeral, I had the opportunity to get to know his family and other close friends. We learned so much about our beloved friend, and about each other as we grieved together. The love and devotion I experienced over that week was amazing. The simple act of being there for someone at a time of great despair, and the ability to give counsel and care are great privileges. I am very thankful and honored to be a funeral director in Green Bay, and look forward to serving my community.” Joshua Ferguson

Carl Pauc

Funeral Director

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Carl Pauc

Funeral Director

Proko-Wall was fortunate to add Carl Pauc to the Proko-Wall team in 2017. After a 25 year career with various funeral homes in the Fox Valley and Green Bay, Carl brought his expertise and experience to the east side of Green Bay. He was born and raised in West Allis, and graduated from MATC in 1992. In 1998, he moved to Green Bay with his wife Emily, her hometown. The two are blessed with three children. Carl is an active member of Destiny Church, involved in both children’s and men’s ministries. He freely shares his time and talents, and in March of 2017, visited Costa Rica on a missionary trip to assist with construction of a local church. Follow his blog, Sermons from the Grave, on facebook or you can purchase his books of the same name. Carl is an avid outdoorsman, who enjoys hunting deer and geese. He is passionate about Veterans’ causes in the community.

“My journey in funeral service started when I was a young man, desiring to do something unique in my life and gain important experiences through it. For me, funeral service offered the opportunity to share in the celebration of life with others during their time of loss. I embrace the intrinsic beauty of ceremony and value the art of emotional the expression, both sorrow and joy that are experienced when someone you love has passed. I have found a home for myself in the Green Bay community by building on the relationships with those families I have ministered to in the time-honored tradition of funeral service. My desire to serve embodies every aspect of my life in everything I do.” Carl Pauc

Alex Bahrke

Funeral Director

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Alex Bahrke

Funeral Director

Alex graduated from Oconto Falls High School in 2004, and then attended the University of Minnesota, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Mortuary Science in 2008. He joined the staff of Proko-Wall as an apprentice in 2008, and continued as a funeral director until 2016, when the big city beckoned and Alex moved back to Minneapolis. He realized Green Bay was truly home, and rejoined the staff in May of 2018, and became a member of the Prince of Peace Catholic Community in Bellevue. He enjoys biking, playing golf, reading, eating at Chipotle and spending time with family and friends.

“I’m often asked how I ever decided on this as my profession? The simple answer is, I cannot picture myself doing anything else. At a very young age, I became interested funerals. Growing up in a small town, everyone basically knows everybody, so funerals became a town event. I became fascinated by that whole process. In high school I went to work for Jones Funeral Home, helping on services or just simply cutting the grass. It was then that I decided to pursue this further and make this my career. The most fulfilling part of my career is being able to work with families and plan a fitting tribute for their loved one. I enjoy the creativity encouraged at Proko-Wall to personalize the funeral service for every family we serve to truly make the funeral a very unique and meaningful experience.” Alex Bahrke

Our Support Staff

Bonnie Sabo

Office Assistant

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Bonnie Sabo

Office Assistant

Bonnie retired from AT&T after a 35 year career, 24 of those years in customer service, and joined the Proko-Wall team in 2016. She is a member of Prince of Peace Parish and plays the organ for Sunday services and funeral masses. Bonnie and her husband Bob live on a farm in the Town of Eaton. They have two daughters and four grandchildren.

Beanie Dahlke

Housekeeping

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Beanie Dahlke

Housekeeping

Beanie has been with Proko-Wall since 2005, helping to keep the home clean and tidy, as well as anything else that needs doing. She is a Moose Lodge member and belongs to Grace Lutheran Church, where she volunteers by feeding the homeless. In her time off she enjoys spending time with her husband and stepsons.

Jerry Blohowiak

Funeral Director Assistant

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Jerry Blohowiak

Funeral Director Assistant

Following a career with Eastside Exhaust, and after retiring from Enzymatic Therapy Schwabe North America, Jerry joined the Proko-Wall team as a funeral assistant and grounds keeper. He especially likes working with familiar families within the community.

He and his wife of over 40 years, Peggy, have two adult children, Scott and Shelly, and five grandsons. Jerry is a member of St. Bernard Parish and enjoys golfing.

Kathy Castelaz

Funeral Director Assistant

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Kathy Castelaz

Funeral Director Assistant

Kathy was born in Norway, Michigan and moved to Green Bay in the 1970’s. She retired as the Director of Critical Care in 2012 from St. Vincent Hospital, and began working for Proko-Wall Funeral Home in 2014. She is a lay associate for the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis, a member of St. Matthew Catholic Church, and volunteers for the St. Vincent Auxiliary.

Jerry Hruska

Funeral Director Assistant

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Jerry Hruska

Funeral Director Assistant

Jerry joined the Proko-Wall team after a career in law enforcement. He is a graduate of Premontre High School. He and his wife Laurie are members of Holy Cross Parish.

John Keehan

Funeral Director Assistant

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John Keehan

Funeral Director Assistant

John followed in his father’s footsteps when he joined the Proko-Wall staff. He and his wife, Amy, have two children. John enjoys watching local hockey and spending time up at his cottage. He is also a volunteer firefighter in De Pere.

Bill Morgan

Funeral Director Assistant

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Bill Morgan

Funeral Director Assistant

Bill Morgan is a man of many hats. He joined the Staff at Proko Wall in 2012 after four decades of patrolling the highways and by-ways of Brown County as a Deputy Sheriff. He was acknowledged for his heroism in the book “Why I Jumped.” For countless boys of summer, Bill is a Varsity Baseball Coach for Preble High School and The Green Bay Shockers American Legion Baseball Team. For those who “BELIEVE” in the magic of the season, you can find his Alter Ego, G.B. Santa, on Facebook. As a musician, he rocked many a concert halls and saloons throughout the U.S.A. playing Bass Guitar. As a family man he is husband to Roxann, father to Margaret, Marissa, MacKenzie and Matthew, and a grandfather.

Pete Sponholtz

Funeral Director Assistant

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Pete Sponholtz

Funeral Director Assistant

Pete was born in Appleton and raised in Tisch Mills, graduating from Mishicot High School and Fox Valley Technical College. He began a 35 year career in Fire Service as a volunteer with the Tisch Mills Fire Department, and retired from the Green Bay Metro Fire Department in 2014. Well-known to the Proko-Wall staff as a faithful member of the GBFD Honor Guard, Pete was invited to join the team in 2014. He is a member of Holy Cross Parish. A talented and multi-faceted musician, Pete plays the drums, piano, tuba, and trumpet with local bands and orchestras.

Race Van Pay

Funeral Director Apprentice

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Race Van Pay

Funeral Director Apprentice

Race graduated from Denmark High School in 2017, and is currently a student at Worsham College in order to become a licensed funeral director. He has completed his apprenticeship at Proko-Wall and McMahon’s in Luxemburg. While attending Denmark High, Race played football for the Vikings. However, he is best known for following in his father’s footsteps as an IMCA race car driver, driving the 00JR car in the Modified Division at local tracks.

David J. Bloomer

Assistant

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David J. Bloomer

Assistant

David has been associated with Forever Friends Cremation Services and Proko-Wall Funeral Home since 2002. David is an active member of the Allouez Kiwanis Club, Vice President of the Birch Creek Home Owner’s Association, Vice President of the Wrightstown Sanitary District II and Treasurer of St. James Lutheran Church. In his spare time, David enjoys golf, boating, flower gardening, and snow shoeing.