Steve D. Tomajcik

Steven “Steve” Duane Tomajcik, age 54, of Merrill, passed away at the Aspirus Merrill Hospital on Saturday, November 9, 2024. Steve attended Washington School as a child, and later in life, The Life Tasks Center in Merrill, where he made many lifelong friends. Steve competed in Special Olympics for many years, in track and bowling. Steve worked for over 20 years at Lincoln Industries in Merrill before he “retired”. He spent the last several years dividing his days between Kindhearted Home Care and Camp EPIC, LLC. In the years since Steve’s dad, Duane, passed away, he lived with his aunt Audrey Blum, as she and Tracy worked as a team to provide him the care he needed. These years were, without a doubt, spent living his best life. Steve looked forward to bowling with Fun Frames every Saturday with his friends until summer, when weekends were spent at Audrey’s cottage or at his best friend Mark’s cabin, aka, his brother from another mother. Steve loved to sit by the campfire and throw wood in it to keep it at a nice roar and enjoyed the outdoors. At home, you could often find him on a nice day sitting in the driveway, watching cars go by and listening to music with one of his many Hot Wheels in hand. Steve made friends everywhere he went, and the world will certainly be a sadder place without him. Steve was a special gift to this world and anyone who was fortunate enough to know him, felt his love for all in his kind and gentle spirit. He gave the best hugs and was not shy about sharing them. He never missed an opportunity to let you know he loved you, and if you were lucky enough to be loved by him, you knew you were truly blessed.

Steve is survived by his siblings, Linda (Dennis) Schneider, John (Judy) Tomajcik, Julie (Rodney) Young, Jeff (Mary) Kleinschmidt, Jodie (Roger) Zerbe, Tracy (Matt) Kalenske, and Shawn Tomajcik, all of Merrill, and Cynthia (Keith) DeBoth of Appleton and special aunt: Audrey Blum. He is further survived by Mark (Star) Blum, Pat (Deb) Blum and the entire Blum family, who welcomed Steve into the fold without hesitation, aunt: Nancy Gartmann of Merrill, uncle: Dick (Grayce) English of Ashwaubenon, Mary (Marvin) Anderson, Judy Stevens and Carlyn Tomajcik, all of Merrill, along with many cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents: Duane and Donna (English) Tomajcik, brothers: Joseph and Thomas Tomajcik, sister: Patricia Tomajcik, grandparents: Sylvester and Evelyn Tomajcik and Harold and Martha English, aunts and uncles: Marcella (Milton) Schneider, Bonita (Fritz) Heller, Marge English, Allison (Nancy) English, Sanford English, Bruce (Betty) English, James (Patricia) English, Lyle English, Reuben Gartmann, Michael Tomajcik, Lois Blum and Dean Stevens.

The Mass of Christian Burial for Steve will be held on Friday, November 15, 2024, at 11:30 a.m. at St. Francis Catholic Church in Merrill. Father Maria Vallebhaneni will officiate. Visitation will be held on Thursday, November 14, 2024, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Waid Funeral Home, and again on Friday, November 15, 2024, from 9:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Burial will immediately follow the Mass and will take place at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Steve’s name to the Special Olympics.

Family would like to give thanks to Dr. Rajender Polireddy, Marshfield Clinic, Merrill, Aspirus Merrill Hospital, Aspirus Wausau Hospital and cardiology for the care they provided to give Steve the best quality of life. Kindhearted Home Care and Camp EPIC, for all the wonderful days you gave to Steve. The Merrill Go Round staff and their kind drivers, Woodland Court Elder Services, where Steve resided the past year in his own “apartment”. A special thank you to Aunt Audrey for her love and compassion, for without her, Steve would not have had the happiness that sustained him for the last few years.

Waid Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Merrill is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences are encouraged and may be made at www.waidfuneral.com.