Richard 'Dick' L. Ashbrenner

Richard ‘Dick’ L. Ashbrenner, 82, of Merrill, passed away Monday, June 22, 2026, at Pine Crest Nursing Home, Merrill, surrounded by his family.

Dick was born December 6, 1943, in Merrill, son of Edward and Ruth (Morrison) Ashbrenner. Dick served his country in the Army National Guard. He married Judith ‘Judy’ Westfall on August 31, 1968, at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Athens. Dick attended NTC for welding and mechanic courses. He worked for Anderson Bros. & Johnson Company for over 40 years. Five of those years, Dick was part owner of the company. Later, Anderson Bros. & Johnson sold to Michel’s Corp and Dick continued working there until his retirement.

In earlier years, Dick enjoyed fishing and hunting. He especially looked forward to fishing with his family at his in-laws cabin on Island Lake in Mercer. Most of all, Dick enjoyed being at home. Whether it was tending to his lawn or garden; cutting, splitting and stacking firewood; or putzing in the garage, home is where he preferred to be. Dick loved his family; his son and granddaughters are his legacy and the purpose of his life.

Dick enjoyed reading, listening to various types of music, and was an avid Green Bay Packers fan. Dick liked working alongside his son, Rich, setting monuments and making firewood. As a child, Dick grew up on a farm and liked the animals, especially ducks and chickens. In later years, he had a fondness for pet crows.

Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Judy Ashbrenner of Merrill; son, Rich (Julie) Ashbrenner of Merrill; granddaughters, Ashley Ann, Lydia Mae, and Maria Judith; sister-in-law, Dallas Ashbrenner of Rhinelander; brother-in-law, Dennis Stiver of Merrill; sisters-in-law, Jean Westfall of Marathon, Geraldine (Larry) Natzke of Eau Claire, Carol Berndt of Merrill, Irene (David) Mroczenski of Marathon, and LuAnn (Mark) Schneider of Athens; and many nieces and nephews.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Ruth Ashbrenner; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Gordon and Katherine Westfall; sister, Marilyn Stiver; brother, Jim Ashbrenner; and brothers-in-law, John Westfall and James Berndt.

The Funeral Liturgyl will take place at 11:00A.M., Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at Taylor-Stine-Waid Funeral & Cremation – 301 Eagle Dr., Merrill. Father John Long will preside. The family will receive friends beginning at 9:00 A.M., Tuesday at the funeral home. Burial will take place in St. Francis Xavier Catholic Cemetery, Merrill, with graveside military rites conducted by V.F.W. Post 1638, Merrill.

In lieu of flowers, memorial in Dick’s name may be made to St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church or School in Merrill.

The family would like to thank the staff at Pine Crest Nursing Home Memory Care Unit for their care.

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