Obituaries

Aug 2, 2021

Michael ‘Mike’ Springer, 80, of Merrill, passed away on Monday, August 2, 2021 at Bell Tower Residence in Merrill, while under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care & Hospice Services.  He was born on October 27, 1940 to the late George W. and Eleanor M. (Maki) Springer in Ironwood, Michigan.

Mike was an extremely talented cook and...

Aug 2, 2021

Arlene L. Schield, age 93, of Merrill, passed away peacefully under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care & Hospice Services at Bell Tower Residence. She is survived by her daughter, Kathryn (Charles) Coates, and son, Greg (Holly) Schield. Arlene is also survived by eight grandchildren Carissa (Shannon) Kraucyk, Carla (Chad) Emmer, Joshua Coates, Joel (Sammi-Jo) Coates, Faith (Chad) Rohde,...

Aug 1, 2021

Richard E. Plautz, age 89, of Merrill, passed away on Sunday, August 1, 2021, at Bellin Hospital in Green Bay. Richard was born September 23, 1931, in Merrill, son of the late Henry and Louise (Savaske) Plautz. He married Darlene Schreiber on June 11, 1955, celebrating 66 years together. Richard owned and operated Plautz Oil Company for over 25...

Jul 31, 2021

Lisadawn Schram, 61, of the town of Pine River, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, July 31, 2021 at the Ascension Good Samaritan Hospital in Merrill.  She was born on March 30, 1960 to Ron and Bette (Saindon) Harriman in Pocatello, Idaho.  Her father survives.  Lisa attended and graduated from high school in Salt Lake City, Utah.  She met her...

Jul 26, 2021

Mary Elizabeth Summers, nee Jopke, 92, of Merrill, passed away peacefully at Pine Crest Nursing Home on Monday, July 26, 2021.  Born in Merrill on June 13, 1929, Mary was the daughter of the late Kurt and Dora (Frantz) Jopke.  She married Laverne ‘Chuck’ Summers on October 27, 1951 in Merrill.  Sadly, he preceded her in death on January...

Jul 22, 2021

Margie Ann Burkam, age 83, of Merrill, passed away on Thursday, July 22, 2021 at Our House in Wausau, while under the care of her loving family and Interim Hospice.  Margie was born on March 24, 1938 to the late Otto and Emma (Beyer) Bergman in Merrill, WI.  She attended and graduated from Merrill High School.  Margie...

Jul 20, 2021

Shirley Ann Schneider, age 86, of the town of Scott, passed away on Tuesday, July 20, 2021 at Bell Tower Residence, while under the care of Compassus Hospice.

Shirley was born on July 7, 1935 to Walter and Cecelia (Geiss) Grund and grew up on the family farm in the town of Schley.  She attended and graduated...

Jul 17, 2021

Richard L. Wiessinger, age 81, of Merrill, passed away on Saturday, July 17, 2021, at his home. Richard was born May 12, 1940, in Madison, son of the late Robert and Dorothy (Dennis) Wiessinger. Richard and his family moved up to Eagle River when he was five years old. He graduated from the former Eagle River High School. While...

Jul 16, 2021

Lois N. Benzinger, 81, of Merrill, passed away Friday, July 16, 2021 at her home under the care of her family and Compassus Hospice. Lois was born March 18, 1940, in Elmhurst, Illinois, daughter of the late Clark and Tabitha ‘Erna’ (Broschied) Lonie. She was joined in marriage to the love of her life, Gary Benzinger on October 19,...

Jul 16, 2021

Zoe Catherine Angelica Bares, adorned by the Sacraments as a bride of Christ, was called home on the same day of her birth, Friday, July 16, 2021, to the heavenly wedding feast. She was true to her namesake, fighting hard for the gift of life that God gave her, and so she was able to enjoy a full day...

Jul 12, 2021

Ray A. Pfingsten, 83, of Gleason, passed away Monday, July 12, 2021, at his home under the care of his family and Aspirus Comfort Care & Hospice Services. Ray was born December 13, 1937, in the Town of Russell, Lincoln County, son of the late August and Hilda (Kankelfitz) Pfingsten. He married Karan Couse on October 29, 1960, at...

Jul 10, 2021

Jeanette I. Lee, age 94, of Merrill, passed away on Saturday, July 10, 2021, while residing at Pine Crest Nursing Home. Jeanette was born October 22, 1926, in Portage County, daughter of the late Ervin and Esther (Persike) Yonke. She married Elmer L. Lee on September 27, 1947. He preceded her in death on October 25, 2016. Jeanette was...

Jul 9, 2021

Joan Marie Rohloff, age 83, of Antigo, Wisconsin, passed away at her home on July 9, 2021. She was born on February 10, 1938, to the late John and Kathleen (Cook) Noftall in St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada.

While visiting Plattsburgh, New York, Joan met James M. Rohloff while attending a party. They both loved dancing, especially to...

Jul 7, 2021

Raymond J. (Spiker) Buck, age 79, of Merrill passed away July 7, 2021, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. He was born on January 20, 1942, in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, to the late John and Dorothy (Kronawetter) Buck. Ray married Faye Langlois on January 18, 1964, in Hawthorne, California, a union that would last over 57 years.

Ray graduated from...

Jul 6, 2021

Ronald “Ron” D. Hinz, age 79, of Madison, formerly of Merrill, passed away on July 6, 2021 in Wausau. He was born July 19, 1941 in Merrill to the late Harold and Ruth (Gruetzmacher) Hinz.

Ron served in the Army National Guard. He earned his Bachelors Degree in Accounting and put it to good use working for...

Jul 5, 2021

Lawrence F. Duginski, beloved father, husband, grandpa, brother, uncle, and friend was reunited in spirit with those gone before on July 5, 2021 at 90 years young. He passed under loving care of family, the wonderful staff at Woodland Ct. Assisted Living, and the helpfulness of Compassus Hospice Services. On a warm summer day, June 22nd, 1931 on the...

Jul 2, 2021

Phyllis B. Dorgan, 94, former Gleason resident, passed away on Friday, July 2, 2021 at Pine Crest Nursing Home. She was born on June 18, 1927, in Chicago, Illinois to Adam and Marie Gawlik. Phyllis was married to Joseph Dorgan, Sr, on November 25, 1947 in Illinois. The family spent summers in the Gleason area and moved permanently there...

Jul 1, 2021

Bruce W. Anderson, 68, of Merrill, passed away Thursday, July 1, 2021, at Pine Crest Nursing Home, Merrill, Wisconsin. Bruce was born March 17, 1953, in Crosby, North Dakota, son of the late Leonard and Peggy (Bixby) Anderson. Bruce met Ellen Gunderson while they both attended Mayville State College in Mayville, North Dakota. They were married on August 11,...

Jun 27, 2021

Ernest ‘Ernie’ Weisskopf, 92, of Merrill, passed away on Sunday, June 27, 2021, at his home under the care of his family and hospice services. Ernie was born July 27, 1928, in the Town of Schley, Lincoln County, son of the late Adolph and Elsie (Stampfli) Weisskopf. He married MaryAnn D. Klade on October 25, 1952, at Trinity Lutheran...

Jun 27, 2021

Kathaleen “Kathy” M. Lindquist, age 77, of Merrill, passed away peacefully in her sleep on June 27, 2021 at Bell Tower Residence under the care of Compassus Hospice. She was born November 13, 1943 in Tomahawk to the late William and Kathryn (Tierney) Stiff. Kathy and Tom Lindquist were united in marriage on October 16, 1975 in Tomahawk. He...