Obituaries

Apr 4, 2025

On April 4, 2025, we said goodbye to James Bloechl — a devoted husband, beloved father and grandfather, proud veteran, and true son of Merrill. He was 89 years old when he passed away peacefully at Aspirus Hospital in Wausau.

Jim was born on February 23, 1936, to Louis and Anna Bloechl. A lifelong Merrill native, he graduated from Merrill High...

Apr 4, 2025

Warren G. Little, age 96, passed away on Friday, April 4, 2025, at Renaissance Assisted Living in Weston, WI.  He was born on March 20, 1929, in Tomahawk, WI to the late Emmett and Calista Little.

Apr 1, 2025

Elizabeth “Betty” Jane (Bloechl) Hodgson, age 98, passed away on April 1, 2025, at Bell Tower Residence, while under the care of their wonderful and kind staff.

She was born on February 13, 1927 to the late Frank X. Bloechl and Barbara (Benzinger) Bloechl in Merrill, WI. Betty lived most of her life in the town of Schley. She attended the...

Mar 30, 2025

Robert "Bob" Joseph Zaborsky, age 65 of Merrill, WI passed away March 30, 2025. He was born November 30, 1959, to Daniel & Bertha Zaborsky in Elmhurst, IL. Survivors include: His Daughter, Penny (Kevin) Jarzembowski, Grayslake, IL, Granddaughter Summer Rose Jarzembowski, Grayslake, IL; Brothers Ken (Sheila) Zaborsky, Arbor Vitae, WI, Steven Zaborsky, Merrill, WI, Sister Donna (Brian) Diment, Largo, FL....

Mar 29, 2025

John L. Dalke went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at Aspirus Merrill Hospital.

John was born October 29, 1934, in Appleton, WI, son of Lavone and Bernice (Altenhofen) Dalke. He graduated from Appleton High School. He married the love of his life, Marcia Hirnschall, on June 18, 1960. They celebrated more than 61 years of...

Mar 26, 2025

Mar 25, 2025

Dorothy M. (Natzke) Wanless, age 97, of Schofield, died Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at Marshfield Medical Center -Weston.

She was born on August 13, 1927, in Merrill, WI to the late William & Elsie (Scheu) Natzke.

She was united in marriage to George A. Wanless on September 29, 1956, in Merrill. The couple enjoyed 56 years of marriage before his passing on...

Mar 24, 2025

Kenneth ‘Ken’ C. Tupa Sr., age 84, of Merrill, passed away on Monday, March 24, 2025, at Pine Crest Nursing Home in Merrill, while under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care & Hospice Services. He was born on May 29, 1940, to the late Bernard and Charlotte (Andrews) Tupa in Hibbing, MN. Ken served his country in the Army National...

Mar 20, 2025

Vera Ann Leitzke, 101, was born to eternal life on Thursday, March 20, 2025. She was born in Wausau on March 7, 1924 to Max and Emily (Fraedrich) Pagel. Vera attended Trinity Lutheran School and graduated from Wausau Senior High School in 1941. She attended Miss Brown's School of Business in Milwaukee and worked as a secretary/bookkeeper and proofreader for...

Mar 20, 2025

Anna Emma Krueger left peacefully on the first day of spring, March 20, 2025, at Bell Tower Residence in Merrill, under the care of Interim Healthcare & Hospice. She was born in Merrill, Wisconsin on July 9, 1930.

She was one of three children born to Anna Khail and Fred Friman Sr. She had two older brothers, Frank Friman, who was...

Mar 19, 2025

Cindy Lou Kimmons, 67, of Merrill passed away unexpectedly Wednesday March 19, 2025 at Aspirus Merrill Hospital, surrounded by her loving husband and family. Cindy was born on March 6, 1958, to David Olivotti and the late Sharon “Tootie” Olivotti. She married her high school sweetheart Willie Kimmons on September 23, 1978. They were blessed with 46 years of loving...

Mar 19, 2025

Cathy J. Bahlow, 61, of Tomahawk, passed away Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at HSHS St. Vincent Hospital in Green Bay.

Cathy was born March 8, 1964, in Stambough, Michigan, daughter of Clarence J. and Beverly A. (Corrigan) Tipler. She married Charles ‘Charlie’ Bahlow on November 1, 1997. He survives. Cathy worked in fast food management as a team leader. She had...

Mar 19, 2025

Gerald Willis Kriehn, age 89, of Merrill, passed away on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, while at The Bay at Eastview Health and Rehabilitation in Antigo, and while under the care of Compassus Hospice. He was the son of the late Erwin and Olga (Gruling) Kriehn. Gerry was born on June 17, 1935 in Hamburg, WI, baptized on July 14, 1935...

2025

Our beloved son John ‘Johnny’ N. Stevenson was born January 12, 1977, in Merrill, on his Great-Grandfather Baumann’s birthday to Alfred ‘Fritz’ and Lorraine ‘Rainey’ Stevenson. He was baptized on February 27, 1977 and confirmed on May 10, 1992 all at Immanuel Lutheran Church.

He started his working days while in high school at Drew’s Piggly Wiggly as a carryout/stocker and...

Mar 18, 2025

Guy Pawlicki, age 56, of Merrill, passed away on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee, after a short illness. He was born on September 18, 1968, to the late Neil and Diana (DeVries) Pawlicki in Wakefield, MI. Guy attended and graduated from A.D. Johnston High School in Bessemer, Michigan, and went on to further his education at...

Mar 17, 2025

Dorothy H. Krause, 100, of Merrill, formerly of the Town of Pine River, passed away Monday, March 17, 2025, at her home under the care of her family and Aspirus Comfort Care & Hospice Services.

Dorothy was born December 12., 1924, in Lincoln County, daughter of Edward and Olga (Kanitz) Scheu. During high school, Dorothy met Walter ‘Poker’ Krause. In her...

Mar 16, 2025

Alice Mae Mertes, age 77, of Merrill, passed away on Sunday, March 16, 2025, at Pine Crest Nursing Home in Merrill.  She was born on January 11, 1948, to the late Reginald and LaVerne (Zinser-Keggs) Merwin in Wausau, WI.

No services will be held.

Mar 16, 2025

Dennis Leroy Parshall, born March 17, 1930, to Otis and Gertrude (Lange) in Tomahawk, passed away peacefully at home on March 16, 2025, in Irma, WI surrounded by his loving family.

Dennis is survived by his wife Darlene (West), whom he married on December 4, 1955. Together, they built a life centered on faith, family, and service.

Dennis is survived by his...

Mar 15, 2025

Celina J. Schmidt, 77, of Merrill, passed away Saturday, March 15, 2025, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.

Celina was born December 3, 1947, in Dowagiac, Michigan, daughter of Charles E. and Coral Jean (Grace) Burkett. She married Mayward Schmidt on September 3, 1966, at St. Stephens United Church of Christ, Merrill. Celina loved raising their five children and was always there to...

Mar 14, 2025

Julie K. Zastrow, age 66, of Merrill, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 14, 2025, at the Marshfield Medical Center in Marshfield, after a short, but aggressive illness. She was born on March 25, 1958 to the late Carl and Louise (Diethelm) Zulliger in Merrill. Julie met Steve Zastrow when he came to help out on the family dairy and...