Obituaries

Mar 2, 2018

Derrick Fravert, age 36, of St. Paul, MN, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, March 2, 2018 at his residence in St. Paul, MN.  Derrick is the son of Frederic and Mary Fravert, and he was born on August 12, 1981 in Marshfield, WI.  His parents survive.  Derrick and his family moved to Merrill in 1987.

Derrick attended...

Feb 26, 2018

Helen Thistle, age 91, of Merrill, passed away on Monday, February 26, 2018 at Pine Crest Nursing Home in Merrill while under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care & Hospice Services.  Helen was born on November 23, 1926 to the late Richard and Elizabeth (O’Connor) Hennessy in Excelsior, WI.  She met and fell in love with Glenn Thistle,...

Feb 24, 2018

Our hero, Charles Harvey Dittmar, 70, of Merrill, was reunited with his son, Timothy C. Dittmar at their home in Heaven, Saturday, February 24, 2018, with his loving family by his side at Saint Claire’s Hospital.

Charles, also known as Chuck, Charlie, or Papa, was born May 14, 1947 in Superior, Wisconsin, son of Harvey and Dorthy...

Feb 22, 2018

Paul M. Goetz, age 70, passed away unexpectedly on February 22, 2018, in Wausau. Paul was born April 12, 1947, in Merrill, the third of five children born to the late Dora Lydia (Edwards) and the late Adolph Albert Goetz. Paul was a graduate of Merrill Senior High School, U.W. Stevens Point, and Marquette University Law School, class of...

Feb 21, 2018

Bruce M. Giese, age 77, of Merrill, passed away on Wednesday, February 21, 2018, at Woodland Court Elder Services, while surrounded by his loving family and under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care & Hospice Services.  Bruce was born to the late Kurt A. and Evelyn (Nugent) Giese on November 6, 1940 in Iron Mountain, WI.  He attended...

Feb 20, 2018

Arleen R. Gruetzmacher, 94, formerly of the Town of Pine River, passed away Tuesday, February 20, 2018 at Pine Crest Nursing Home, Merrill. Arleen was born May 23, 1923 in the Town of Stettin, Marathon County, daughter of the late Dietrich and Martha (Tesch) Pagel. She married Clarence R. Gruetzmacher on May 18, 1946 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Town...

Feb 19, 2018

NAOMI B. BRAUN Naomi Braun (“Mac”) of Merrill, born Nov. 3, 1922 passed away peacefully at Bell Tower February 19, 2018. She WAS, and WILL ALWAYS BE, YOUNG AT HEART! She was preceded in death by her husband Dr. William E. Braun of Merrill, sister Lynne Reiger and sons Gary M. Braun and Peter F. Braun. Survivors include her...

Feb 19, 2018

Christine R. Polebitski, 69, of Merrill, passed away Monday, February 19, 2018 at the Aspirus Hospice House in Wausau. Christine was born March 11, 1948 in Rhinelander, daughter of the late Wayne and Norma (Johnson) Schellenger. She married Richard Polebitski on June 16, 1972, in Rhinelander. He survives. Christine was a graduate of Rhinelander High School and furthered her...

Feb 17, 2018

Roger W. Hulke, 88, of Merrill, went to his eternal home Saturday, February 17, 2018. He lived a long, blessed life. Roger was born January 25, 1930, in Merrill, to William and Agnes (Schmidtke) Hulke. He married Elizabeth ‘Betty’ Ristau on September 12, 1953 at St. John Lutheran Church, Merrill - a beautiful union that lasted 64 years. Roger...

Feb 16, 2018

Harlan H. LaPerriere, 73, of Merrill passed away Friday, February 16, 2018 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. Harlan was born on May 12, 1944 in Sturgeon Bay, WI, son of the late Howard LaPerriere and Phyllis (Deates) LaPerriere. When Harlan was two years old, his mother married Harold Kretschmar, and together Phyllis and Harold raised Harlan. Harlan married Lorraine Kleinschmidt...

Feb 16, 2018

Harry ‘Hans’ R. Tritten, 80, of Merrill passed away Friday, February 16, 2018 at Pine Crest Nursing Home, Merrill, under the care of his family, the nursing home staff and hospice services. Harry was born on April 24, 1937 in Wausau, son of the late Harry A. Tritten, Sr. and Marie (Kundo) Tritten. He married Ethel Dittmar on July...

Feb 12, 2018

Gordon “Gordy” E. Wiederhoeft, age 78, of Merrill, passed away peacefully on Monday, February 12, 2018 at his residence, just shy of his 79th birthday.  Gordy was born on February 13, 1939 to the late Edwin and Grace (Heise) Wiederhoeft in Merrill.  He attended school in Merrill and earned his GED through the Marines.  Gordy proudly served his country...

Feb 11, 2018

Wallace Schwartzman, 81, of Merrill, passed away on Sunday, February 11, 2018, surrounded by his family.

Wally was born on November 16, 1936, to Raymond and Sophie Schwartzman.  On December 21, 1963, he married Bonnie Hipke.

Wally served his country in the United States Army.  He was employed as a painter until he was hired...

Feb 9, 2018

Audrey L. Ek, of Merrill, passed away on Friday, February 9, 2018, at her home under the care of her family and hospice services. Audrey was born in Rhinelander, the daughter of the late Frank and Signy Peter. She married Woodrow L. Ek on April 5, 1952, in Rhinelander. He preceded her in death on March 12, 2015, in...

Feb 8, 2018

Duane W. ‘Dewey’ Pfister, age 85, of Merrill, died Thursday, February 8, 2018. A committal of his cremated remains will take place at a later date at Merrill Memorial Park Scattering Garden. Dewey was born February 11, 1932, in Merrill, son of the late Bernard and Dorothy Pfister. After serving in the U.S. Army in Korea from 1952-1953, he...

Feb 6, 2018

Andrew B. Duginski, age 89, passed away on Tuesday, February 6, 2018 at Ascension Good Samaritan Hospital in Merrill, while surrounded by his loving family.  Andrew was born to the late James and Mary (Collins) Duginski  in Merrill.  Andrew met the love of his life, Lucille Kaplan, and the two exchanged vows on July 15, 1953 in Merrill.  She...

Feb 4, 2018

Gerhardt S. (Gary) Graap, 66, of Merrill, passed away unexpectedly at home on Sunday, Feb. 4, 2018. Known to many as “Graapie”, Gary was born on March 31, 1951, to Rinehardt and Shirley (Schneck) Graap. He married Marlene Marsceau on Nov. 26, 1977. She survives. Gary attended school in Merrill and graduated in 1969. He worked at Woodcraft Finishes...

Feb 4, 2018

Philip T. Barker, age 80, of Merrill, passed away on Sunday, February 4, 2018, at his home of natural causes. Philip was born August 2, 1937, in Merrill, son of the late William and Elsie (Thomas) Barker, Sr. He married Shirley A. Rost on May 21, 1976 in Milwaukee. She survives. Philip had been employed with the former General...

Feb 2, 2018

At the wonderful age of 95, Marjory Mae Hanson passed away peacefully on February 2, 2018 at Seasons of Life Hospice House in Woodruff, WI. Born in Merrill on August 19, 1922 to parents Glen and Elizabeth (Sense) Germain, Marge graduated from Normal Teachers College and became an elementary schoolteacher, teaching grades 1 – 8 in a one room...

Feb 2, 2018

Della I. Nelson, 93, of Merrill, passed away Friday, February 2, 2018, at Pine Crest Nursing Home, Merrill, under the care of her family, the nursing home staff and Ascension/Ministry Home Care Hospice Services. Della was born June 12, 1924, in Irma, daughter of the late Hugo and Clara (Samuelson) Johnson. She married Harry W. Nelson on May 10,...