Obituaries

Jun 27, 2024

Judith “Judy” Leona (Koplin) Kaminski, age 87, of Merrill, passed away on Thursday, June 27, 2024, while at the Aspirus Merrill Hospital, with her loving family by her side. She was born on January 18, 1937 to the late Herman and Julia (Gaspar) Koplin in Chicago, IL. Judy attended and graduated from Glenbard East High School in Illinois. She met...

Jun 25, 2024

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Corey Proulx, who was taken too soon from this world on June 25th 2024, at the age of 49. Born on July 11th 1974 in Merrill, to Ed & Kathy Proulx, Corey lived a life filled with passion and curiosity. Corey graduated in 1992 from Merrill High School, and...

Jun 25, 2024

Brent Bennish Schweigert, age 33, of Gleason, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, June 25, 2024 at his home. He was born on January 7, 1991 in Wausau, WI and was the son to Guy Schweigert and Barbara (Bennish) Albright. Brent attended and graduated from Merrill High School. 

Brent was a fun-loving, caring and giving man, that also had a goofy side....

Jun 21, 2024

John Paul Sczygelski, age 86, of Merrill, passed away on Friday, June 21, 2024, at the Aspirus Wausau Hospital. He was born on May 28, 1938 to the late Adam and Anna (Kordus) Sczygelski at home in the town of Scott. John attended St. Francis Catholic School, as well as Merrill Vocational School. He proudly and bravely served his country...

Jun 19, 2024

Jacqueline J. Pahls, 85, of Merrill, formerly of Gleason, passed away on Wednesday, June 19, 2024, at Aspirus Merrill Hospital.

Jacqueline was born September 15, 1938, in Merrill, daughter of Lawrence and Emma (Chariton) Barney. She married James A. Pahls on August 1, 1959, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Merrill. Jim and Jackie resided in New...

Jun 17, 2024

Mary E. “Bingo” Kufahl, 84, of Merrill, passed away peacefully, Monday, June 17th, 2024, while under the care of Aspirus Hospice and her family at Bell Tower Residence.

Mary was born December 21, 1939, in Merrill to the late C. L. Bud and Jean (Walsh) Caylor. She graduated from Our Lady of the Holy Cross High School...

Jun 13, 2024

Vicki Lynn Zastrow, 69, of Columbia Falls, MT passed away on June 13, 2024. She was born July 29, 1954, in Merrill, WI to the late William Zastrow and Florence Duginski Zastrow. 

Vicki enlisted in the US Army from January,1973 - August,1974 during the Vietnam War as a Central Office Switchboard Operator. Vicki was many things to many people, a mother,...

Jun 12, 2024

The family of Georgia Ann (Shearier) Kniess, age 81, of Merrill is saddened to announce her passing. She died peacefully on Wednesday, June 12th, at Aspirus Hospital in Merrill. 

Georgia was born on New Year’s Eve, December 31, 1942, the daughter of James and Mildred (Maluegge) Shearier. Georgia grew up in the 6th Ward and was a member of Trinity Lutheran...

Jun 11, 2024

June Ellen Kriewald, age 84, of Merrill, formerly of Westminster, CO, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, at the Aspirus Merrill Hospital. She was born on July 30, 1939, in Merrill, WI, the daughter of Harvey and Catherine (Weigandt) Kriewald.

She was a 1957 graduate of Merrill High School. She graduated from Wisconsin State College, Eau Claire, in 1962...

Jun 10, 2024

Mark “Stubby” James Voigt, age 65, of Merrill, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, June 10, 2024, at the Aspirus Merrill Hospital.  He was born on April 16, 1959 to the late Earl and Marcella (Langbecker) Voigt in Merrill.  Mark attended and graduated from Merrill High School.  He met the love of his life, LeAnn Wendt, and the two were united...

Jun 6, 2024

Jeanette Belant, 86, Merrill passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 6, 2024, while under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services at Woodland Court, Merrill.

She was born December 12, 1937, in Merrill, daughter of the late Fred and Frieda (Krause) Mosser. (Moe-sure) Jeanette married Arthur “Artie” Belant and he preceded her in...

Jun 3, 2024

Judith A. ‘Judy’ Alft, 80, of Merrill, died Monday, June 3, 2024, at Bell Tower Residence in Merrill.

Judy was born December 28, 1943, in Merrill, daughter of the late William and Marie (Arnett) Knispel. She married Terry Alft on October 30, 1965, at St. Stephen’s United Church of Christ, Merrill. He preceded her in...

Jun 3, 2024

Russell “Russ” Edward Ross Sr., age 78, of Merrill, passed away peacefully on Monday, June 3, 2024, at the Aspirus Hospital in Wausau, WI. He was born on September 24, 1945, to the late Bennie and Liz (Eland) Ross in Gary, Indiana. Russ attended and graduated from high school in Black Oak, IN before enlisting in the United States Army...

May 30, 2024

Marlene Sue Benzinger, age 76, of Merrill, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, May 30, 2024, at her home.  Marlene was born on June 26, 1947 to the late Harry and LuEllen “Enzie” (Litke) Benzinger.   She attended Merrill High School and graduated with the class of 1965.  Marlene’s life partner, Terry Frisch, sadly preceded her in death.

Marlene worked at Merrill...

May 29, 2024

May 27, 2024

Donald A. Norman, 84, of Merrill, passed away Monday, May 27, 2024, at Benedictine Living Community in Wausau.

Donald was born April 4, 1940, in Chicago, son of George and Helen Jeanette (Wildey) Norman. He married Mary Ann Frawley on April 5, 1959, in Milwaukee. Don retired from the former W.C.A. Industries in Merrill where he worked...

May 21, 2024

Nathanial “Nate” John Allar, age 41, of the township of Harrison Hills, passed away unexpectedly at his

home on Tuesday, May 21, 2024. He was born on May 31, 1982 to Gerald and Tammy (Ellenbecker)

Allar in Milwaukee, WI. Nate attended Waukesha North High School, where he played soccer and

varsity football. He graduated in 2000. He went on to further his education,...

May 15, 2024

Jan M. Gartmann, 59, of Rothschild, passed away Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.

Jan was born on September 25, 1964, on a U.S. Army Post in Verdun, France, daughter of Jan D. and Joanne (Skrbec) Milos. Growing up, Jan and the family lived in various places due to her father’s service in the Marines,...

May 15, 2024

Kenneth Allan Graap, age 87, passed away on Wednesday, May 15, 2024 at the Aspirus Hospice House with his family by his side. Kenny was born in the Town of Corning, Wisconsin on August 25, 1936 to the late Charles and Dorothy (Mittag) Graap. On December 22, 1956, Kenny married Carolyn Ann Plautz at Trinity Lutheran Church in Merrill. She...

May 15, 2024

S. Thomas Tompach, age 83, of Merrill, passed away on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at the Aspirus Wausau Hospital.  He was born on May 17, 1940 to the late Stanley and Averill (Hanson) Tompach in Alton, IL.  Tom attended and graduated from high school before going on to earn his bachelor’s degree in English from Marquette University.  He married Linda...