Obituaries

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,...

Jan 28, 2018

Lorraine C. Plautz, age 95, of Merrill, passed away Sunday, January 28, 2018. She was born May 12, 1922 in Merrill. In fact, the same place she lived at for 88 years. Lorraine resided at Bell Tower Residence, Merrill, for the last 7 years. Lorraine was the daughter of the late William and Caroline (Henrich) Holl. She married Delton...

Jan 26, 2018

Mary Ruth Plautz, age 73, of Merrill, passed away on Friday, January 26, 2018 at Ascension St. Clare’s Hospital in Weston, WI.  She was born on August 20, 1944 to the late Earl and Mildred (Franz) Plautz in Wausau, WI.  Mary attended and graduated from Wausau High School.  She eventually met and fell in love with Jim Plautz and...

Jan 23, 2018

Jesse John Schewe, age 33, died unexpectedly on January 23, 2018. He was born May 8, 1984 in Merrill to John Schewe and the late Barby Jo (Bowers) Schewe.

Jesse was a 2002 graduate of Merrill High School and was currently pursuing his Bachelor’s degree. He cherished his son, Logan and spending time with him...

Jan 22, 2018

Beulah Erickson, age 88, of Merrill, passed away on Monday, January 22, 2018 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital, while surrounded by her loving family.  She was born on December 6, 1929 to the late Gustav and Hattie (Reinke) Ney in Merrill.  Beulah grew up in Merrill, and eventually met the love of her life, Robert Erickson.  The two exchanged vows...

Jan 22, 2018

The Rev. James “Jim” D. Weiland, age 58, of Merrill, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Monday, January 22, 2018 at the Aspirus Wausau Hospital.  He was born on October 13, 1959 to Donald and Elaine (Alonso) Weiland in Milwaukee, WI.  Jim attended St. John’s elementary school in Lannon, WI, where he was encouraged to become...

Jan 13, 2018

Clare Ann Garrison, age 81, of Merrill, WI, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, January 13, 2018.  Clare Ann was surrounded by her loving family at their annual Christmas celebration when she was peacefully called home.  She was born on September, 18, 1936 to Stephen and Catherine (Wenzel) Figuli in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

Clare Ann worked at Erie Insurance...

Jan 9, 2018

Marlene J. Hinz, age 82, of Merrill, passed away on Tuesday, January 9, 2018, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. Marlene was born December 3, 1935, in Wausau, daughter of the late Leslie and Ida (Peterson) McCrossen. She married Donald D. Hinz on May 10, 1958, in Wausau. He preceded her in death on February 20. 2014. Marlene was a retired...