Obituaries

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...

May 14, 2024

Marjorie “Marge” Dawn Heidemann, age 97, of Merrill, passed away Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at Pine Crest Nursing Home, Merrill.

Marjorie was born July 30, 1926, in Merrill, daughter of the late Ray Turbin and Delores (Egan) Cotter. She graduated from Merrill High School in 1944 and then was employed at the former Co-op Grocery Store in...

May 13, 2024

Stephen”Steve” Wayne-Patrick Bathke, age 36, of Gleason, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, May 13, 2024, while at work in Rib Mountain, WI.  He was born on March 17, 1988, in Milwaukee, WI and was the son to the late James Bathke.  Steve attended and graduated from Antigo High School.  He married his best friend and love of his life, Patricia...

May 10, 2024

Ronald H. ‘Ron’ Young, 85, of the Town of Rock Falls, passed away Friday, May 10, 2024, at Tomahawk Health Services.

Ron was born July 20, 1938, in Chicago, Illinois, son of the late Elmer and Helen (Graap) Young. He married Ruth Stevenson on June 27, 1964, in Merrill. She survives. Ron worked at Marathon Electric for...

May 10, 2024

Beverly A. Pierzchalski, age 76, of Merrill, passed away on Friday, May 10, 2024, at Pine Crest Nursing Home in Merrill, while under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care & Hospice Services.  She was born on June 21, 1947 to the late Robert and Delores (Raasch) Reichert in Milwaukee, WI. Beverly attended Merrill High School and took some college courses...

May 10, 2024

The family of Phyllis Kay Fausch, age 80, of Irma, is saddened to announce her passing. She died peacefully on Friday, May 10, 2024, at Aspirus Hospital, Merrill. She was born on August 16, 1943, in Merrill, WI, the daughter of Harvey and Catherine (Wiegandt) Kriewald.  Phyllis was a member of the Merrill High School Class of 1961.

 On February 17,...

May 8, 2024

William M. “Bill” Beyer, age 93, of Gleason, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at Pine Crest Nursing Home in Merrill, Wisconsin.

Bill was born on November 12, 1930, in the Town of Schley, Lincoln County, son of the late William J. and Jessie (Fox) Beyer. He married Marion Kanitz on April 7, 1956,...

May 8, 2024

Roger F. Hanneman, 81, of Merrill, passed away Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at his home.

Roger was born November 25, 1942, in Wausau, son of Elmer and Berdina (Wendt) Hanneman. He married Darlene Doering on April 3, 1964, in Pine City, Minnesota. She preceded him in death on February 24, 2020. Roger started his career as a...

May 8, 2024

Olga F. Henrichs (nee Hojan) went to her heavenly home Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at the age of 89. Loving wife of the late LaVerne Henrichs, they were married 63 years. Daughter of the late Leopold Hojan and Amalia Hojan (nee Pobijak). Sister to the late Paul, Mike, Frank, Carl, Joe, and surviving sister Mary Zinkel. Mother to Teresa,...

May 7, 2024

William “Bill” T. Pernitzke, age 76, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, after a brief illness, in Las Vegas, NV, where he resided for the past 30 years.

Bill was born in Merrill, WI on February 4, 1948.  He was a 1966 graduate of Merrill High School.

Bill had been employed by Citi Bank, Las Vegas, NV, where he worked...

May 7, 2024

Joyce W. Sumnicht, age 92, formerly of Merrill, passed away on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, at Primrose Assisted Living in Wausau, while under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care & Hospice Services.  She was born on February 14, 1932 to the late Walter and Judith (Inerson) Glasbrenner in Eau Claire, WI.  Joyce attended and graduated from Memorial High School in...

May 6, 2024

David W. Krause, aged 85, left this earth and entered into God’s kingdom on Monday, May 6, 2024. David was born July 31,1938 in Merrill, Wisconsin to the parents of Ruth (Karau) and Elmer Krause. He joined the Navy at 17 years old and traveled to Japan, Hawaii, and California. After serving four years in the Navy, he returned...