Obituaries

Sep 29, 2018

Virginia H. Hinz, 95, of Merrill, passed away on Saturday, September 29, 2018 at Pine Crest Nursing Home, Merrill. Virginia was born April 6, 1923 in Merrill, daughter of the late Herbert and Helen (Schmidt) Smith. She married Earl Hinz on May 8, 1948 in Merrill. He preceded her in death on October 22, 2008. Virginia worked as a...

Sep 28, 2018

Barbara Lee Renken, 87, of Merrill, passed away on Friday, September 28, 2018 at her home surrounded by her family. Barbara was born November 6, 1930 in Tipton, Indiana, daughter of the late Joseph and Ermenia (Zanotelli) Fellin. She married John Renken on April 4, 1981 in Rhinelander. He survives. Barb worked as the executive director of the Northern...

Sep 26, 2018

Patti Porath, age 61, passed away on Wednesday, September 26, 2018 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital in Wausau, while surrounded by her loving family.  Patti was born on October 28, 1956 to Ronald and the late Phyllis (Kleinschmidt) Porath in Merrill.

Patti was a lead teller and worked for 20 years at U.S. Bank in Minocqua.  She also...

Sep 26, 2018

Raymond Francis Bloomer, age 74, of Merrill, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, September 26, 2018. Ray was born on November 18, 1943 to the late Thomas and Martha (Guns) Bloomer. He married MaryAnn Theresa Prasnick on July 8, 1967 in Tony, WI.

Ray proudly served as a member of the United States Airforce from 1961-1965. He then...

Sep 25, 2018

Robert Glenn ‘Bob’ Mootz, 70, of Merrill, passed away at home on Tuesday, September 25, 2018 surrounded by his loving family. Robert was born December 30, 1947 in Merrill, son of the late Glenn and Meta (Sauer) Mootz. Bob and Helen Kay Hoffman met in Plum City, Wisconsin while he was on a squirrel hunting trip with his life-long...

Sep 20, 2018

Shirley E. Kloss, 84, of Merrill, passed away Thursday, September 20, 2018 at Pine Crest Nursing Home, Merrill. Shirley was born September 24, 1933, in Merrill, daughter of the late Paul and Elizabeth (Kemp) Neubauer. She married Harvey Kloss on May 16, 1953, in Merrill. He preceded her in death on January 23, 1993. Shirley had worked as a...

Sep 20, 2018

Lee R. Baker, age 82, passed away on September 20, 2018 at his home in Merrill.  Lee was born to the late Arthur and Helen (Gronberg) Baker in Manitowac, WI.

The military was a big part of Lee’s life.  He was in the United States Navy for 2 years and he also served in the United States...

Sep 18, 2018

Paul T. Arseneau Jr., age 81, of Merrill, passed away on Tuesday, September 18, 2018 at Ascension St. Clare’s Hospital in Weston.  He was born on January 7, 1937 to the late Paul Sr. and Gertrude (Michaels) Arseneau in Detroit, MI.  Paul attended Merrill High School.  He met and fell in love with Doris M. Savaske, and the two...

Sep 13, 2018

Vilas E. Vreeke, age 85, of Merrill, passed away on Thursday, September 13, 2018, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. Vilas was born June 19, 1933, in Sheboygan, son of the late William and Esther (Hidde) Vreeke. He married Joyce Groene on July 25, 1953. She survives. Vilas enlisted in the Army National Guard on March 14, 1950. He was honorably...

Sep 12, 2018

Dr. Erling O. Ravn, age 91, died September 12, 2018, at Bell Tower Residence, surrounded by his family. He served the City of Merrill, Wisconsin and surrounding area as a general surgeon and community leader for more than a half century. Dr. Ravn, known by many as "Ole," was born in Merrill on November 13, 1926, the son of...

Sep 5, 2018

Gerald M. Oestreich, 85, of the Town of Texas, Marathon County, passed away Wednesday, September 5, 2018 at his home under the care of his family and hospice. Gerald was born July 23, 1933 in Tigerton, Wisconsin, son of the late Albert and Clara (Spieth) Oestreich. Gerald’s first marriages were to Joyce Gardner in 1952 and Rita Howard in...

Sep 2, 2018

Franklin A. Saal Sr., age 94, of Merrill, passed away on Sunday, September 2, 2018 at the Wisconsin Veterans Home in King, WI.  He was born on August 29, 1924 to the late Carl and Frieda (Utecht) Saal in Merrill.  Frank attended and graduated from Merrill High School, and worked as a machinist in Racine until joining the service. ...

Aug 28, 2018

Dorothy M. Bergh, age 89, of Merrill, passed away on Tuesday, August 28, 2018, at Pine Crest Nursing Home, Merrill. Dorothy was born August 29, 1928, in Merrill, daughter of the late Frank and Ella (Kanitz) Zastrow. She married Carlyn Bergh on June 26, 1948. He preceded her in death on January 7, 1971. Dorothy had been employed at...

Aug 28, 2018

Joseph J. “Joe” Gryskiewicz, age 60, of the Town of Schley, passed away on Tuesday, August 28, 2018, at Ascension St. Clare’s Hospital, Weston. Joe was born August 30, 1957, son of the late John and Marion (Schumacher) Gryskiewicz. He married Julie Yanda on July 10, 1987. She survives. Joe retired from Weinbrenner Shoe Company, Merrill, after 35 years...

Aug 28, 2018

Richard “Dick” W. Ruge, age 81, of Merrill, passed away on Tuesday, August 28, 2018, at Bell Tower Residence in Merrill, while under the care of the Bell Tower staff and Aspirus Comfort Care & Hospice Services.  He was born on August 23, 1937 to the late William F. and Minnie L. (Kelly) Ruge in Des Moines, Iowa. ...

Aug 25, 2018

Lawrence H. Bubolz, age 90, of Merrill, passed away at Aspirus Wausau Hospital on Saturday, August 25, 2018, with his family at his side. Lawrence was born August 12, 1928, in Merrill, son of the late Herbert and Bertha (Kienbaum) Bubolz. He married Jean H. Langhoff on May 23, 1953, in Immanuel Lutheran Church, town of Corning. She survives....

Aug 22, 2018

Eileen M. Johnson, 97, of Merrill, passed away Wednesday, August 22, 2018 at Pine Crest Nursing Home, Merrill. Eileen was born March 18, 1921, in Racine, Wisconsin. She married Earl R. Johnson on June 24, 1940. He preceded her in death on January 7, 2005. Eileen was a member of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, Merrill. She enjoyed bowling and...

Aug 19, 2018

Arlette J Mitchell, age 90, of Merrill passed away Sunday, August 19, 2018.   She was born October 6, 1927 to the late Albert and Anna (Schmidt) Krauklis. Arlette and Gordon were united in marriage on February 24, 1945 in Irma, WI. He preceded her in death May 1, 2011.

Arlette and her husband founded Mitchell Metal Products,...

Aug 18, 2018

Myrtle A. Scheu, age 93, of Merrill, passed away on Saturday, August 18, 2018 at Woodland Court Elder Services in Merrill, while under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care & Hospice Services.  She was born on January 10, 1925 to the late Emil and Elsie (Kriewald) Radloff in the town of Corning.  Myrtle attended elementary school at Trinity Lutheran...

Aug 17, 2018

William J. ‘Bill’ Borchardt, 89, of Merrill, passed away Friday, August 17, 2018 at Pine Crest Nursing Home, Merrill. Bill was born July 1, 1929, son of the late Richard and Bernadette (Godin) Borchardt. He married Anne B. Peplinski on October 6, 1962, in Pulaski. She preceded him in death on October 21, 2012. Bill enlisted in the United...