Duane "Cewey" Henry Bonke

Duane “Cewey” Henry Bonke, age 83, of Merrill, passed away on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at the Aspirus Wausau Hospital. He was born on October 8, 1942, to the late William and Emma (Krueger) Bonke, in Merrill, WI. Cewey attended and graduated from Merrill High School. He played baseball with the Merrill Rangers and pitched against the Wausau Lumberjacks for 7 innings, racking up 18 strikeouts! Cewey was noticed by the MLB Philadelphia Philly’s scouts in 1960, and went out to eat with them to discuss his future, but he then enlisted in the United States Navy and bravely served his country from 1960 to 1963. He was an RD-2 on the AF54 cargo ship, stationed in California, and had made 5 trips to Japan during his military career. He met the lovely Miss June Walters, and fell in love. They were united in marriage on September 18, 1965, in Wausau, a union lasting over 60 years. She survives.

Cewey was a union worker with building contractors, mostly setting up industrial paper machines in Wisconsin and Minnesota, for many years. He retired in 2005. Cewey was an amazing vegetable gardener, an avid reader, and was a baseball fan, always rooting for the Brewers, but he also enjoyed watching the Packers. Watching the birds at his feeders brought him joy, and he looked forward to the next hunting and fishing season. Cewey enjoyed the peace of the outdoors, as well as spending time in his woodworking shop attached to the house. He, along with his brother and father, had built his home from the ground up. Cewey was a very passionate and skilled woodworker, and made numerous furniture pieces and shelving for family and friends. He is remembered as a loving and helpful man, that enjoyed conversations and of course, always looking for the best deals! He will be sadly missed.

Cewey is survived by his loving wife: June Bonke, son: Douglas (Pamela Parent) Bonke, daughter: Deanna (John) Slavinsky, grandson: Austin Laabs (fiancé Kayla Burrow), sisters: Barbara Bonke and Lucille (Donald) Eliason. He is further survived by his child: Rebecca Brown. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother: Robert Bonke.

A funeral liturgy for Cewey will be held on Friday, February 20, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Taylor-Stine-Waid Funeral Home, 903 East 3rd Street, Merrill. Deacon Jim Arndt will officiate. Visitation will be held on Friday, February 20, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service, at the funeral home. Military honors will be conducted by the Merrill V.F.W. Post 1638 and will immediately follow the liturgy.

For those unable to attend in person, the liturgy will be live streamed and available for viewing on Friday, February 20, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. under his obituary on the funeral home website, and will be posted there for future viewing.

The family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to the caring and supportive staff at the Aspirus Wausau Hospital and to Dr. Rajender Polireddy.

Taylor-Stine-Waid Funeral & Cremation Services of Merrill is assisting the family with the arrangements. Online condolences are encouraged and may be made at www.taylorstinewaid.com.