Obituaries

Sep 13, 2021

William ‘Bill’ Paul Goetsch, age 84, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Monday, September 13, 2021, at the Aspirus Wausau Hospital.  He was born on September 5, 1937, in the town of Corning, Lincoln County, to the late Ronald and Lillie (Radtke) Goetsch.  Bill graduated from Concordia College in Nebraska with a bachelor’s degree in...

Sep 8, 2021

It is with great sorrow the family of Aubrey Koehler announce her passing.  A master of Rubik’s cube and a lover of painting, Aubrey passed away unexpectedly, Wednesday September 8, 2021. Aubrey was born October 3, 2008 and lived in Merrill.  She was a student at Prairie River Middle School.

She was quiet but introspective, always willing...

Sep 4, 2021

On Saturday, September 4, 2021, the angels came for Margaret M. Hermanson, as she entered eternal rest while in her daughters’ arms, at the age of 94 years old.  Margaret was born to the late Hugh and Sarah Ritchie in Belfast N. Ireland on February 9, 1927.

“God called your name so softly,...

Aug 30, 2021

Rose Marie Pierce, age 57, of Merrill, WI, passed away peacefully on August 30, 2021, at home while under the care of hospice while surrounded by her loving family after a courageous 3 1/2-year battle with glioblastoma (brain cancer).

Rose was born on August 26, 1964, at St. James Hospital in Chicago Heights, IL and was the...

Aug 27, 2021

Shirley ‘Shirlee’ J. Gathercoal, age 94, passed away on Friday, August 27, 2021, at Woodland Court Elder Services in Merrill.  She was born on April 10, 1927, to the late Edward and Blanche (Jordan) Larson in Kansas City, Missouri.  Shirlee attended and graduated with honors from high school.

Shirlee worked as a transcriber at a large insurance...

Aug 26, 2021

Dorothy M. Gibson, age 94, of Merrill, died on Thursday, August 26, 2021, at the Pine Crest Nursing Home in Merrill, while under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care & Hospice Services.  Dorothy was born on July 30, 1927, to the late Robert and Elizabeth (Beaudoin) Gibson, in Trout Lake, MI and was the youngest of her siblings.  She...

Aug 25, 2021

Phyllis J. Meyer, age 78, of Merrill, unexpectedly went to be with her Lord on Wednesday, August 25, 2021, at Good Samaritan Health Center in Merrill. She was born March 9, 1943, in Merrill to the late Emery and Phyllis (Schuman) Morrison. On November 18, 1961, Phyllis and Herman Meyer were united in marriage at Trinity Lutheran...

Aug 22, 2021

Delmar Fredrick “Turk” Jaeger, 86, of rural Merrill, past away unexpectedly at home, late evening, August, 22nd, 2021.  The youngest of 14 children, Turk was born July 22nd, 1935, to Albert Jaeger and Selma (Kufahl) Jaeger at home in Marathon County and was raised on the family farm.  He attended local schools and entered military service in 1956, serving...

Aug 21, 2021

Dennis Rothmeyer, 73, of Merrill, Wisconsin passed away on August 21, 2021, in Wausau, Wisconsin. He was born on July 9, 1948, in Wausau, WI to Derold and Delores (Kolter) Rothmeyer. Dennis married Paulette (Grefe) Rothmeyer on July 25, 1970, in Merrill. She passed away on January 26, 2020.

Dennis was the first employee hired at GPI...

Aug 21, 2021

Wanda Ann Harris, 72 of Merrill, Wisconsin went to be with her Lord, Jesus Christ, on August 21, 2021.  Wanda was born on October 17, 1948 in Merrill, Wisconsin to Roger and Joan Gutknecht.  She received her B.S. in Elementary Education from John Brown University in 1970.  At JBU, she met her soon to be husband, Donald...

Aug 19, 2021

Fred Gerald Heldt, 60, of Merrill, Wisconsin, passed away on August 19, 2021 at his home. He was born on August 3, 1961 to Fred and Donna (Larkee) Heldt in Merrill, Wisconsin.

After graduating high school, Fred joined the army and served in the Gulf War. While overseas, his first conflict was the Noriega invasion of the...

Aug 16, 2021

Judith C. Erno, born on January 11, 1943, left her earthly life to be with her heavenly Savior in Heaven on Monday, August 16, 2021, at the age of 78.

Judy was born and raised in the West Allis, Milwaukee area.  Several years later, she moved to Merrill, WI, where she raised her family of four children. ...

Aug 13, 2021

Suzette ‘Sue’ Kay Wiederhoeft, age 74, of Merrill, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, August 13, 2021, at her home.  Sue was the daughter to the late Ellsworth and Dorothy (Krause) Sabatke and was born on June 3, 1947, in Merrill.  She attended and graduated from Merrill High School.  Sue eventually met David Wiederhoeft, and the two lovingly exchanged marriage...

Aug 12, 2021

Thomas ‘Tom’ Earl Johnson, age 73, passed away on Thursday, August 12, 2021, in Merrill, while surrounded by his loving family and while under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care & Hospice Services.  He was born on March 23, 1948, in Merrill and was the son to the late John E. and Rose A. (McIntyre) Johnson.  Tom attended and...

Aug 6, 2021

James ‘Jim’ Alan Graap, age 65, of Merrill, passed away on Friday, August 6, 2021 at his home in Merrill.  He was the son to the late Richard and Berdine (Woller) Graap and was born on August 15, 1955 in Merrill.  Jim attended Merrill High School until he enlisted in the U.S. Army to bravely serve his beloved country. ...

Aug 4, 2021

Kyle Kreager, 38, of Merrill lost his battle with cancer on Wednesday, August 4, 2021. He was born on April 29, 1983 to Bruce Kreager and Diane Dittmar. Kyle was active in 4-H and Drama Club at Antigo High School and graduated in 2001. From there he went to college at Viterbo University in La Crosse where he started...

Aug 2, 2021

Michael ‘Mike’ Springer, 80, of Merrill, passed away on Monday, August 2, 2021 at Bell Tower Residence in Merrill, while under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care & Hospice Services.  He was born on October 27, 1940 to the late George W. and Eleanor M. (Maki) Springer in Ironwood, Michigan.

Mike was an extremely talented cook and...

Aug 2, 2021

Arlene L. Schield, age 93, of Merrill, passed away peacefully under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care & Hospice Services at Bell Tower Residence. She is survived by her daughter, Kathryn (Charles) Coates, and son, Greg (Holly) Schield. Arlene is also survived by eight grandchildren Carissa (Shannon) Kraucyk, Carla (Chad) Emmer, Joshua Coates, Joel (Sammi-Jo) Coates, Faith (Chad) Rohde,...

Jul 31, 2021

Lisadawn Schram, 61, of the town of Pine River, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, July 31, 2021 at the Ascension Good Samaritan Hospital in Merrill.  She was born on March 30, 1960 to Ron and Bette (Saindon) Harriman in Pocatello, Idaho.  Her father survives.  Lisa attended and graduated from high school in Salt Lake City, Utah.  She met her...

Jul 26, 2021

Mary Elizabeth Summers, nee Jopke, 92, of Merrill, passed away peacefully at Pine Crest Nursing Home on Monday, July 26, 2021.  Born in Merrill on June 13, 1929, Mary was the daughter of the late Kurt and Dora (Frantz) Jopke.  She married Laverne ‘Chuck’ Summers on October 27, 1951 in Merrill.  Sadly, he preceded her in death on January...