Fred M. Reader

Fred M. Reader, 91, of Merrill, formerly of the Town of Schley, Lincoln County, passed away Tuesday, December 3, 2024, at Pine Crest Nursing Home, Merrill. 

Fred was born January 14, 1933, in Chicago, son of the Harry and Nelli Reader. He met Dorothy Hulke and they married on April 14, 1956. She passed away on April 29, 2013.

Fred was raised by his father, Harry and stepmother, Dorothy Johnson in Chicago. At age 5, he went to his Aunt Jeanette Helms’ farm in Rhinelander. In the fall, he traveled back down to Chicago for the school year. When he visited Rhinelander, he rode the train all by himself. He did this for two years. Shortly after his 7th birthday, his brother Keith put him back on the train and Fred headed back to Rhinelander for good. Fred really disliked Chicago and loved being on the farm. 

By age 8, Fred was working in the woods. By age 10, he was skidding all the pulp out and cutting the logs with a two-man saw. Fred went to school in Gleason for nine years. In 1947, he left school to work on a farm in Gleason. 

At age 22, Fred was drafted into the United States Army. He began his tour in 1956 at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri. He had basic training at Fort Lewis in Washington and advanced training at Fort Richardson in Alaska. Fred was stationed at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska until his honorable discharge and ‘mustering out’ on November 6, 1957. 

He was home from the Army for three days, before he took a job at the cheese factory. He was offered a job at Page Milk Company in 1961 and worked there until they closed in 1973. Fred then worked at WCA for two years and then for Lunda Bridge Resurfacing for another two years. In 1978, he began working at Northern Wire in Doering. He retired for the first time in 1998. He then worked for Merrill Equipment for four years and Northern Wire for four years. Fred also worked occasionally for Polak’s Maple Hollow. His final retirement came in 2006. 

Fred’s favorite pastimes included watching Westerns, playing slow pitch for Mosser’s and NickElaines, and bowling with Dorothy. Every Wednesday night, Dorothy and Fred would make supper for their grandkids. After they ate, they would play several games of poker. This tradition continued on after Dorothy passed away and up until just a few weeks ago.

Survivors include his daughters, Denise (Dan) Dengel of Merrill and Melody (Richard) Cisar of Oconto, WI; son, Tim (Sandy) Reader of Merrill; grandchildren and great grandchildren, Kassi Jo (Joshua) Erickson of Merrill, Krista (Andy) Lewandowski of Merrill, Nikole (Kyle) Vergin of Oshkosh, Gregory (Kayla) Cisar of Howard, Megan Reader (John Suggs) of Merrill, and Mallory (Luke) Rose of Merrill; great grandchildren, Bella, Noah, Alaynah, Beckett, Hadley, Carter, Quniton and one on-the way; and stepbrother, Harold (Linda) Reader of Harshaw.

Fred was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Reader; daughter, Kerry Reader; parents; siblings, Mildred ‘Millie’ (Robert) Morris, Keith (Sara) Reader, Buehla ‘Sis’ (Donald) Bartlet, Charles Reader, Ardell Reader, and Earl Reader; and step-brother, Harry Reader.

The funeral service for Fred will be held at 11:00 A.M., Monday, December 9, 2024, at St. John Lutheran Church, Merrill. Rev. David Szeto will officiate. The burial will take place in Trinity Church Cemetery – Town of Schley (Dutch Corners) with military rites conducted by V.F.W. Post 1638 - Merrill. The family will receive friends beginning at 9:00 A.M. Monday at church. Taylor-Stine Funeral & Cremation is assisting the family. Online condolences may be made at www.taylorstine.com