Obituaries

Apr 26, 2018

Ceora Phyllis Mae (Haffemann) Sabatke, age 90, went to her forever home on April 26, 2018 at Pine Crest Nursing Home, Merrill, with her family and Pastor at her side. Ceora was born on January 26, 1928, to Roy and Leona (Grawien) Haffemann at her grandparents’ home in Marathon County. It was a very snowy day and the Town...

Apr 22, 2018

Mark Allan Rilley, age 65, passed away on Sunday, April 22, 2018, at Pine Crest Nursing Home, Merrill. Mark is the sixth of six children born to the late Jerome C. Riley, Sr., and the late Katherine I. (Zischerk) Rilley. Mark is survived by his companion, Rose Kuhnke; sister, Karen (Bill) Leto; brothers, Jim (Elaine) Rilley, Dennis Rilley, Tim...

Apr 22, 2018

Marlyn J. ‘Marlie’ Helmstadter, 84, of Merrill, passed away on Sunday, April 22, 2018, at Pine Crest Nursing Home, Merrill. Marlie was born June 27, 1933, in Tomahawk, daughter of the late Arnie and Helen (Bame) Pearson. She married William J. Helmstadter on August 22, 1953. He preceded her in death on November 14, 2004. Marlie was a 1951...

Apr 22, 2018

Omer “Chick” Peterson, age 83, of Merrill, passed away on Sunday, April 22, 2018 at Willow Brooke Point Senior Living in Stevens Point. He was born on July 26, 1934 in Madison to the late Charles and Evelyn (Schuldt) Peterson. Chick and Candace Sahlin were united in marriage on December 17, 1983 in Merrill. She survives.

Chick...

Apr 18, 2018

Jeffrey D. ‘Jeffy’ Woller, 61, of Marathon, passed away Wednesday, April 18, 2018 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. Jeffy was born February 16, 1957, in Merrill, son of the late Daniel and Harriet (Harbath) Woller. He was employed at Greenheck Fan Corp., Wausau. Jeffy enjoyed deer hunting, golfing, watching NASCAR, shooting pool and darts. He was a Brewers, Packers and...

Apr 16, 2018

Jean A. Fredrich, 83, of Merrill, passed away Monday, April 16, 2018 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. Jean was born October 23, 1934, in Wausau, daughter of the late Oscar and Elsie (Tapper) Gaulke. She married Ray Fredrich on June 30, 1956. He preceded her in death on May 10, 1991. Jean was a member of St. Stephens United Church...

Apr 16, 2018

George William Schmoeckel Jr., age 72, of Irma, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, April 16, 2018 at his home in Irma.  He was born on October 1, 1945 to the late George and Irene (Degner) Schmoeckel Sr. in Merrill. George attended and graduated from Merrill High School.

George had proudly served his country in the...

Apr 14, 2018

Larry Allan Langbecker passed away Saturday, April 14, 2018. Larry was born in Merrill, WI to George and Mable Langbecker. There were two things in his life that came before all else: family and community. Larry cared deeply for his wife, children, and grandchildren. An avid outdoorsman, Larry’s fondest memories were of learning to hunt and fish with his...

Apr 5, 2018

Earl E. ‘Bud’ Schuman, age 98, of Merrill, passed away on Thursday, April 5, 2018, at Ascension St. Clare’s Hospital, Weston. As his family affectionately stated, “Bud died from complications of living a long life”. Bud was born February 19, 1920, in Merrill, son of the late Louis and Lynn (Tholl) Schuman. He married Patricia M. ‘Pat’ Jager on...

Apr 4, 2018

Lester L. Grund, age 64, of Merrill, passed away on Wednesday, April 4, 2018, at the House of the Dove Hospice, Marshfield. Lester was born September 7, 1953, in Merrill, son of the late Eugene and Delores (Raddatz) Grund. Lester had been a logger for over 30 years. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, trapping, gardening, and being outdoors. Survivors include...

Apr 4, 2018

Kim Witz (Metzger), age 57, of Merrill, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, April 4, 2018, after a 2- year battle with a neuromuscular disease.  Kim was born on November 3, 1960 to Larry and Beverly (VanWassehnova) Metzger in South Rockwood, MI.  Her father, Larry Metzger, preceded her in death.  Her mother, Beverly, survives.    Kim attended and graduated from Fresno...

Apr 4, 2018

Ellis David Wendt, age 69, passed away Wednesday, April 4, 2018 at Good Samaritan Health Center after a courageous battle with cancer. Ellis was born March 17, 1949 in Merrill, Wisconsin to the late Ellis and Arnetta (Kersten) Wendt. He and Diana Kleinschmidt were united in marriage on June 9, 1973 in Merrill. She survives.

Ellis graduated...

Apr 4, 2018

Beverly A. Krznarich, age 76, of Merrill, passed away on Wednesday, April 4, 2018, at the Aspirus Wausau Hospital, while surrounded by her loving family.  Beverly was born on March 8, 1942 to the late Gorman and Katherine Dahly in Minot, ND.  She met and fell in love with John Krznarich, and the two exchanged wedding vows on...

Apr 3, 2018

Katherine P. Lau, age 70, of Merrill, passed away at her home on Tuesday, April 3, 2018, under the care of her family and hospice services. Kathy was born April 24, 1947, in Antigo, daughter of the late Paul W. Mielke, Jr. and Dorothy (Hopp) Mielke. She married Raymond Lau on August 3, 1968, in Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church,...

Apr 3, 2018

Irene G. Ballas, age 85, passed away on Tuesday, April 3, 2018 at Pine Crest Nursing Home.

Irene was born to the late George and Katherine (Kalafice) Papadakis in Merrill.  She received her teacher’s certificate, was married, and taught school in Tomahawk.  She devoted her life to her family and helped children in need as a Group...

Mar 31, 2018

David Young, age 56, of Merrill, passed away Saturday, March 31, 2018 at Hospice House in Wausau. He was born September 12, 1961 in Merrill to James Sr. and Mary Ann (Weisman) Young. On September 28, 2001, he and Christine (Mootz) Peck were united in marriage. She survives.

Dave worked many years in the production...

Mar 30, 2018

Dorothy Martha Emily Carlson, age 84, of Merrill, formerly of Homestead, WI, passed away on Friday, March 30, 2018 at Pine Crest Nursing Home in Merrill, while under the care of Ascension Home Care Hospice.  Dorothy was born on November 5, 1933 to the late Einar and Christine (Sjodin) Carlson in Hinsdale, IL.  She attended and graduated from Florence...

Mar 30, 2018

Carol M. Pluta, age 81, of Merrill, entered into eternal life on Friday, March 30, 2018, at the Aspirus Wausau Hospital.  Carol was born on July 17, 1936 to the late Thomas Q. and Evelyn R. (Prendergast) Ward in Chicago, IL.  She attended grade school at St. Bartholomew, and graduated from Foreman High School in Chicago, IL in 1954. ...

Mar 28, 2018

James “Jim” E. Mitchell, age 81, of Irma, WI, went to his eternal resting home on Wednesday, March 28, 2018, at the Ministry St. Joseph’s Hospital in Marshfield, WI, with his children by his side.  Jim was born on January 4, 1937 to the late George and Jay (Sackreiter) Mitchell in Ashland, WI.  He attended and graduated from Bayfield...

Mar 28, 2018

Janet J. Kluckman, age 74, of Fort Atkinson, formerly of Merrill, passed peacefully in her sleep at her cabin on Wednesday, March 28, 2018. She was born on October 1, 1943 in Merrill to the late Ralph and Gladys (Radloff) Kluckman.

Janet attended school in Merrill. She grew up on the family farm and loved being with...