Obituaries

Oct 13, 2024

Steven W. ‘Steve’ Hoefs, 66, of Merrill, passed away Sunday, October 13, 2024, at his home. 

Steve was born October 27, 1957, in Milwaukee, son of Gerald and Sheila (Fildes) Hoefs. He married Theresa ‘Teri’ Pelczynski on July 1, 1978. Steve served his country in the United States Army for eight years. He was stationed in Virginia, Germany, and Colorado. After...

Oct 10, 2024

William Herbert Cohrs passed peacefully to his heavenly home on October 10, 2024. He was born on January 2, 1939 in Merrill to Herbert and Irene (Boettcher) Cohrs. He attended St. John Lutheran School and graduated from Merrill High. William married Carolyn (Barney) on October 1, 1966. They recently celebrated 58 years of marriage. 

He joined the Army National Guard and...

Oct 8, 2024

Roy Timothy Thiel, 65, of Merrill, WI passed away at Marshfield Medical Center, Weston on October 8, 2024, with immediate family by his side.

Roy was born to Roy Henry and Jacquelyn Carol (Colling) Thiel on March 18, 1959, in Appleton, WI where he attended elementary school before moving to Merrill, WI. Roy graduated from Merrill High...

Oct 7, 2024

Clarence Leistikow Jr., age 82, of the town of Corning, passed away on Monday, October 7, 2024, at his home, while surrounded by his family and under the care of Compassus Hospice.

He was born on December 5, 1941, to the late Clarence and Minnie (Bartelt) Leistikow Sr. at the farmhouse in the town of...

Oct 5, 2024

Ron Schleif passed away unexpectedly and peacefully at home on his farm on October 5, 2024, at the age of 73 in Merrill, WI. Born on November 1st, 1950, the son of the late Theodore and Lila (Sense) Schleif. He attended Goettchel and brickyard one room school-house, and Pine River School. He graduated Merrill High School class of 68....

Oct 5, 2024

Dennis W. ‘Denny’ Ebner, 73, of Merrill, peacefully passed away at his home under the care of his loving daughters and Compassus Hospice on Saturday, October 5, 2024.

Denny was born January 15, 1951, in La Crosse, WI, the son of Walter ‘Walt’ and Patricia ‘Pat’ (Sutton) Ebner. Denny grew up in Wausau and graduated from Wausau...

Oct 4, 2024

JoAnn D. Vachavake, 87, of Merrill, passed away Friday, October 4, 2024, at Pine Crest Nursing Home, Merrill.

JoAnn was born October 31, 1936, in Merrill, daughter of the late Hattie (Skofronek) and George Ament Jr. She married Ronald Vachavake on June 2, 1956, in Merrill. He survives. JoAnn was a member of St. Stephens United Church...

Oct 2, 2024

Nancy Ann Priebe, age 75, was welcomed into her heavenly home on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, while residing at Pine Crest Nursing Home in Merrill. She was born and raised in Merrill and was the daughter of the late Melvin (Roy) Nelson & June (Severt) Nelson Downing. Nancy attended and graduated with the class of 1967 from Merrill High School....

Sep 29, 2024

Donald “Don” Anthony Kaminski, age 90, of Merrill, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 29, 2024, while at Woodland Court Elder Services in Merrill, and under the care of Compassus Hospice Care. He was born on June 22, 1934 to the late Leo and Margaret (Ewertowski) Kaminski in Chicago, IL. Don attended and graduated from high school in Chicago, IL....

Sep 27, 2024

Herman F. Zunker Jr., age 88, of Merrill, passed away on Friday, September 27, 2024, at the Aspirus Wausau Hospital, after many courageous battles with cancer. He was born on February 8, 1936, to the late Herman and Wilma (Winkert) Zunker Sr. in Wausau, WI. Herm attended and graduated from Wausau High School, before entering the United States Army, where...

Sep 19, 2024

Judith A. Seehafer, 83, of Merrill, passed away Thursday, September 19, 2024, at Pine Crest Nursing Home, Merrill.

Judy was born March 25, 1941, in Wausau. She married David Seehafer in May of 1961. He preceded her in death on September 14, 2023. Judy worked in housekeeping at Wausau Insurance. Judy enjoyed reading, spending time outside, and...

Sep 19, 2024

Duane G. Hanrahan, age 78, of Merrill, passed away on Thursday, September 19, 2024, at the Pam Rehab Facility in Wausau, WI.  He was born on August 17, 1946, in Merrill, WI.

No services will be held.

Sep 18, 2024

Arlene Marion (Hass) Wilharms (88 years-old) of Merrill, Wisconsin passed away in her sleep early morning on Wednesday, September 18th, 2024. She was on hospice and in the care of her family so she could stay living on her farm.

Arlene graduated from Merrill High School in 1954. A couple weeks later, she married her late husband,...

Sep 18, 2024

Gloria C. Horswill, age 87, of Merrill, passed away on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, at Pine Crest Nursing Home in Merrill, while under the care of Interim Hospice. She was born on June 25, 1937, to the late Mr & Mrs. Catherine Zasada in Milwaukee, WI. Gloria attended and graduated from high school in Milwaukee before she met and married...

Sep 15, 2024

Bernhardt V. O. ‘Bernie’ Frick, 85, of the Town of Schley, passed away on Sunday, September 15, 2024.

Bernie was born January 8, 1939, in Merrill, son of Bernhardt and Marvel (Mitchell) Frick. Bernie was a 1957 graduate of Merrill High School. He married Caroline Haig on July 1, 1961, at St. John Lutheran Church, Merrill. Caroline...

Sep 13, 2024

Katheryn “Kathy” Zimmerman, age 81, of Merrill, passed away on Friday, September 13, 2024, at Woodland Elder Services in Merrill, while under the care of Aspirus Hospice. She was born on July 23, 1943, to the late Winfield and Olive (Johnson) Craven in Merrill. Kathy grew up in the Merrill area, attending and graduating from Merrill High School with the...

Sep 12, 2024

James L. ‘Jim’ Ronis, of Gleason, passed away Thursday, September 12, 2024, at Woodland Court Elder Services, Merrill.

Jim was born September 16, 1955, in Merrill, son of Leonard and Audree (English) Ronis. He married Debra Thom on July 16, 1982, in Merrill. Jim worked at Merrill Sand & Gravel for over thirty years and retired as...

Sep 12, 2024

Ronald “Ron” E. Schneider, age 92, passed away on Thursday, September 12, 2024 at his home in the town of Scott, while under the care of family. Ron was born on January 29, 1932 to the late Henry and Martha (Schepp) Schneider in Merrill, WI. On July 7, 1956 he married the love of his life, Shirley Grund of Merrill....

Sep 11, 2024

Reinold “Reinie” F. Lenz, 85, of Merrill passed away Wednesday, September 11th, 2024, at Woodland Court Elder Services, Merrill, under the care of Aspirus Hospice. Reinie was born September 5th, 1939, in Wausau, WI son of the late William Jr. and Helen (Svehla) Lenz. He graduated from Mosinee High School and then pursued advanced degrees at both UW-Stevens Point...

Sep 11, 2024

The world lost a true ray of sunshine on Wednesday, September 11, 2024. Therese “Terri” A. Kufahl, just turned 52 years old and passed away unexpectedly at the Aspirus Wausau Hospital, with her family by her side. Terri was born on September 10, 1972, to Larry & Patricia (Polebitski) Peeters in Merrill, WI. Her father survives. She attended and graduated...