Obituaries

Jun 27, 2024

Judith “Judy” Leona (Koplin) Kaminski, age 87, of Merrill, passed away on Thursday, June 27, 2024, while at the Aspirus Merrill Hospital, with her loving family by her side. She was born on January 18, 1937 to the late Herman and Julia (Gaspar) Koplin in Chicago, IL. Judy attended and graduated from Glenbard East High School in Illinois. She met...

Jun 25, 2024

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Corey Proulx, who was taken too soon from this world on June 25th 2024, at the age of 49. Born on July 11th 1974 in Merrill, to Ed & Kathy Proulx, Corey lived a life filled with passion and curiosity. Corey graduated in 1992 from Merrill High School, and...

Jun 25, 2024

Brent Bennish Schweigert, age 33, of Gleason, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, June 25, 2024 at his home. He was born on January 7, 1991 in Wausau, WI and was the son to Guy Schweigert and Barbara (Bennish) Albright. Brent attended and graduated from Merrill High School. 

Brent was a fun-loving, caring and giving man, that also had a goofy side....

Jun 21, 2024

John Paul Sczygelski, age 86, of Merrill, passed away on Friday, June 21, 2024, at the Aspirus Wausau Hospital. He was born on May 28, 1938 to the late Adam and Anna (Kordus) Sczygelski at home in the town of Scott. John attended St. Francis Catholic School, as well as Merrill Vocational School. He proudly and bravely served his country...

Jun 13, 2024

Vicki Lynn Zastrow, 69, of Columbia Falls, MT passed away on June 13, 2024. She was born July 29, 1954, in Merrill, WI to the late William Zastrow and Florence Duginski Zastrow. 

Vicki enlisted in the US Army from January,1973 - August,1974 during the Vietnam War as a Central Office Switchboard Operator. Vicki was many things to many people, a mother,...

Jun 12, 2024

The family of Georgia Ann (Shearier) Kniess, age 81, of Merrill is saddened to announce her passing. She died peacefully on Wednesday, June 12th, at Aspirus Hospital in Merrill. 

Georgia was born on New Year’s Eve, December 31, 1942, the daughter of James and Mildred (Maluegge) Shearier. Georgia grew up in the 6th Ward and was a member of Trinity Lutheran...

Jun 11, 2024

June Ellen Kriewald, age 84, of Merrill, formerly of Westminster, CO, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, at the Aspirus Merrill Hospital. She was born on July 30, 1939, in Merrill, WI, the daughter of Harvey and Catherine (Weigandt) Kriewald.

She was a 1957 graduate of Merrill High School. She graduated from Wisconsin State College, Eau Claire, in 1962...

Jun 10, 2024

Mark “Stubby” James Voigt, age 65, of Merrill, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, June 10, 2024, at the Aspirus Merrill Hospital.  He was born on April 16, 1959 to the late Earl and Marcella (Langbecker) Voigt in Merrill.  Mark attended and graduated from Merrill High School.  He met the love of his life, LeAnn Wendt, and the two were united...

Jun 3, 2024

Russell “Russ” Edward Ross Sr., age 78, of Merrill, passed away peacefully on Monday, June 3, 2024, at the Aspirus Hospital in Wausau, WI. He was born on September 24, 1945, to the late Bennie and Liz (Eland) Ross in Gary, Indiana. Russ attended and graduated from high school in Black Oak, IN before enlisting in the United States Army...

May 30, 2024

Marlene Sue Benzinger, age 76, of Merrill, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, May 30, 2024, at her home.  Marlene was born on June 26, 1947 to the late Harry and LuEllen “Enzie” (Litke) Benzinger.   She attended Merrill High School and graduated with the class of 1965.  Marlene’s life partner, Terry Frisch, sadly preceded her in death.

Marlene worked at Merrill...

May 29, 2024

May 21, 2024

Nathanial “Nate” John Allar, age 41, of the township of Harrison Hills, passed away unexpectedly at his

home on Tuesday, May 21, 2024. He was born on May 31, 1982 to Gerald and Tammy (Ellenbecker)

Allar in Milwaukee, WI. Nate attended Waukesha North High School, where he played soccer and

varsity football. He graduated in 2000. He went on to further his education,...

May 15, 2024

Kenneth Allan Graap, age 87, passed away on Wednesday, May 15, 2024 at the Aspirus Hospice House with his family by his side. Kenny was born in the Town of Corning, Wisconsin on August 25, 1936 to the late Charles and Dorothy (Mittag) Graap. On December 22, 1956, Kenny married Carolyn Ann Plautz at Trinity Lutheran Church in Merrill. She...

May 15, 2024

S. Thomas Tompach, age 83, of Merrill, passed away on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at the Aspirus Wausau Hospital.  He was born on May 17, 1940 to the late Stanley and Averill (Hanson) Tompach in Alton, IL.  Tom attended and graduated from high school before going on to earn his bachelor’s degree in English from Marquette University.  He married Linda...

May 13, 2024

Stephen”Steve” Wayne-Patrick Bathke, age 36, of Gleason, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, May 13, 2024, while at work in Rib Mountain, WI.  He was born on March 17, 1988, in Milwaukee, WI and was the son to the late James Bathke.  Steve attended and graduated from Antigo High School.  He married his best friend and love of his life, Patricia...

May 10, 2024

Beverly A. Pierzchalski, age 76, of Merrill, passed away on Friday, May 10, 2024, at Pine Crest Nursing Home in Merrill, while under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care & Hospice Services.  She was born on June 21, 1947 to the late Robert and Delores (Raasch) Reichert in Milwaukee, WI. Beverly attended Merrill High School and took some college courses...

May 10, 2024

The family of Phyllis Kay Fausch, age 80, of Irma, is saddened to announce her passing. She died peacefully on Friday, May 10, 2024, at Aspirus Hospital, Merrill. She was born on August 16, 1943, in Merrill, WI, the daughter of Harvey and Catherine (Wiegandt) Kriewald.  Phyllis was a member of the Merrill High School Class of 1961.

 On February 17,...

May 7, 2024

William “Bill” T. Pernitzke, age 76, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, after a brief illness, in Las Vegas, NV, where he resided for the past 30 years.

Bill was born in Merrill, WI on February 4, 1948.  He was a 1966 graduate of Merrill High School.

Bill had been employed by Citi Bank, Las Vegas, NV, where he worked...

May 7, 2024

Joyce W. Sumnicht, age 92, formerly of Merrill, passed away on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, at Primrose Assisted Living in Wausau, while under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care & Hospice Services.  She was born on February 14, 1932 to the late Walter and Judith (Inerson) Glasbrenner in Eau Claire, WI.  Joyce attended and graduated from Memorial High School in...

May 6, 2024

William “Billy” R. Klade Jr., age 62, formerly of Merrill, passed away on Monday, May 6, 2024, at his sister’s house in Genoa City, WI, while under the care of Aurora at Home Hospice.   He was born on June 9, 1961 to the late William and Barbara (Euler) Klade Sr. in Merrill.  Billy attended and graduated from Badger High...