Email a friend  feed   Printer friendly  Comments

Merle L. Rusch

Merle L. Rusch, age 85, of Laona, passed away at the Nu-Roc Community Health Care Center on Friday morning, June 15, 2007. Merle was born in Polar on December 29, 1921, the son of late Robert and Martha (Dorn) Rusch.

He served his country during World War II and achieved the rank of Master Sergeant. He was honorably discharged in December 1945. Merle returned to Laona and married Helen Bradle on September 11, 1948 at St. Leonard Catholic Church. Merle will be remembered by many due to his employment with the U.S. Postal Service in Laona. His employment spanned over 40 years, and many of his last years with the Post Office were as the rural mail carrier. For several years after his retirement, he continued to be an avid golfer. Merle had also been a past Laona School Board member, Lion's Club member and VFW member.

Merle is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Helen of Laona, and their three sons, James of Brookfield, Richard of New Berlin and Robert (Suzanne) of Waunakee. Merle was always very proud of his children as well as his six grandchildren, Erich, Lindsey, Ryan, John, Nicholas and Amanda.

Funeral services were held at St. Leonard Catholic Church, Laona on Tuesday, June 19, 2007 with Father John Cerkas officiating. Interment was at the Laona Cemetery.

The Rusch family would like to express their gratitude for the outpouring of support, love and prayers. Merle will be deeply missed.

Weber-Hill Funeral Home in Crandon assisted the family with arrangements.

Valerian Roman Wisneski

Valerian Roman Wisneski passed away Saturday morning, June 23 at St. Mary's Hospital in Rhinelander at the age of 84. His loving wife of 49 years, Elizabeth Ann, passed away 10 years ago.

He is survived by his siblings, Bernice Springer, Robert Wisneski, Patrick (Rita) Wisneski, Father John Wisneski, Thomas Wisneski, William (Mary) Wisneski and Naphalie Mielahn; his five children, John Wisneski, Kathleen (Leo) LaBonte, Patrick (Cindy) Wisneski, Mark (Connie) Wisneski and Thomas (Barbara) Wisneski; his 14 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren with one on the way.

Valerian Wisneski was a great husband, loving father and amazing grandfather. He enjoyed fishing, like a good John Wayne western, baked a great spice cake, could fix just about anything and brought smiles to the faces of his family, friends and neighbors.

Val Wisneski was a lover of life and life loved him. He made this world a better place. We love you Dad and Gramps, and we will truly miss you!

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 27 from 11 a.m. until 12:15 p.m. at Weber-Hill Funeral Home in Crandon; the funeral service will follow at St. Joseph's parish in Crandon. Entombment will take place on Thursday at 11 a.m. at St. Adalbert's Catholic Cemetery in Milwaukee.

Bernard Ellis Sparks

Bernard Ellis Sparks, formerly of Nashville, passed away on June 19, 2007 at his home surrounded by his family. He was born June 30, 1921 in Nashville. He was the twelfth son of 13 children born to Francis Sparks and his wife, Rebecca Griffith Sparks. He was the last of the large Sparks family, and was preceded in death by his four brothers Leonard, Lionel, Arnold and Wayne, and his eight sisters Viola Pitts, Claudia Palmer, Audie Schmidt, Maude Mihako, Lucy Sparks, Flossie Sparks Schallock, Nellie McNeil and Shirley Jazdzewski.

He will surely be missed by his many nieces and nephews. He was a great entertainer who had many adventures and stories to share with all of us. Family meant so much to him.

He proudly served his country in W.W.II where he was stationed in the Aleutian Islands. Upon his return from the war, he settled in Washington State. There he met his wonderful wife of 65 years, Muriel. Theirs has been a life long love affair. Together they had one son Allen, whom they love dearly. After his retirement from the postal service in 1976, he moved to Alaska. While here, he hunted, trapped and fished all over the state.

Bernie felt all children were wonderful and welcome, and never failed to have a pocket full of candy readily available for them to enjoy.

He is survived by his bride Muriel, their son Allen, and a variety of grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was loved dearly and will be missed by all.

Funeral services were held Saturday, June 23 at Plack Road Baptist Church at 11 a.m., followed by a grave side service at Birch Hill Cemetery. A potluck,

celebration of life was held at the Sparks' residence. Arrangements were handled by Fairbanks Funeral Home & Crematory.

Clifford Gregory “Cooter” Krauel

Clifford Gregory “Cooter” Krauel, age 50, of Crandon, passed away unexpectedly Monday, June 18, 2007 while camping on Robinson Lake, Forest County. Cliff was born in Sturgeon Bay on May 29, 1957, the son of the late Clifford C. and Lorene Vilas (Wilson) Krauel.

Through life Cliff worked mostly as a carpenter and logger until his health forced him to retire. Cliff really enjoyed the outdoors, going hunting, fishing and off road racing.

He is survived by sons, Clifford (Lisa) Houle of Laona and Dillon Krauel of Argonne; step-sons, Sean Murray of Oconto Falls and Jason (Ginger) Murray of Sun Prairie; two grandchildren and three step-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation was held on Friday, June 22 from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Weber-Hill Funeral Home in Crandon. Funeral services followed at 11 a.m. with Pastor Bill Farr officiating. Interment was at the Crandon Town Cemetery.

Leonard A. Guth Jr.

Leonard A. (Bud) Guth Jr., 73, of Pelican Lake died Sunday, June 24, 2007, at the Crandon Nursing Home under the care of Ministry Health Hospice Care. He was born August 21, 1933, to the late Leonard A. Sr. and Margaret L. Guth. He had one brother, Herbert M., who also preceded him in death. Leonard married Karen M. Flannery, June 21, 1958.

He is survived by children Leonard A. III (Lisa), Sheila G. Mullins, Timothy J., Elizabeth A. Cottrell (Jerry), Patricia L. Brodersen (Ernest), Andrew R. and Thomas M. (Victoria) and eighteen grandchildren. He is further survived by his two special aunts, Adeline Kroening and Lil (Rudy) Muenchow, and many nieces and nephews.

Leonard served his country in the U.S. Army (1956-58). He was a contractor by trade but he greatly enjoyed serving his community as Town of Enterprise Chairman and Oneida County Board Supervisor and Board Chairman throughout different periods of his life. He was active in many local organizations. His skills as a hunter and fisherman were well known and the resulting stories were even better known. Bud also truly enjoyed his gardening. His family and friends will miss him.

At the request of the deceased, a private family memorial is planned.

John Carl Kegley

John Carl Kegley passed away at his home with his family at his side on June 23, 2007.

He was born November 5, 1934 in Crandon to John Thomas and Nancy (Wagoner) Kegley.

John grew up in Crandon and married Mildred Opal Adams on April 24, 1954. After marrying Mildred, he worked various jobs which included, Globe Union in Milwaukee, making ambulances in Elkhart, Ind., owning and operating his own businesses in Crandon Great Plains and Citi Service and working at Conway True Value.

When John wasn't working, you could find him working in his woodshop, camping, fishing or hunting. There was nothing more important to John than his family. He really enjoyed all the family get togethers; birthdays, holidays or just sitting around the campfires. His family included his children, Roger John (Petra) Kegley, Linda Lorene (Michael) Duff, Cheryl Jean (Perry) Marvin, Carl David (Celine) Kegley, Stacy Edwin (Ethellyn) Kegley, John Branton (Dawn) Kegley, 17 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

John was preceded in death by his parents; an infant son; sister, Jean and her husband Bernard Palubicki; brother, Edwin Kegley; brothers-in-law, Louis (Bud) Koehn and Harold Walentowski; infant grandson, James Michael Duff; and infant granddaughter, Kayla Rae Kegley.

John is survived by his wife, Mildred; his children and grandchildren; brothers, Wilmore (Pat) Kegley and Donald (Debbie) Kegley; and sisters Mildred Koehn, Ruth Walentowski and Shirley (Sandy) Guinther.

Pallbearers will be his grandsons Jared Kegley, Eric Kegley, Justin Marvin, Albert Lucas, Carl Kegley, Jr., Guy Kegley, Payton Kegley and Austin Kegley.

Visitation will be on Wednesday, June 27, 2007 from 4 until 8 p.m. and on Thursday, June 28 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Weber-Hill Funeral Home in Crandon. Funeral service will be on Thursday, June 28, 2007 at 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home with Pastor Don Dewing officiating. Interment will be in Crandon Lakeside Cemetery.

John will be greatly missed by all.

Tell us what you think...

Comments »

The comments above are from readers. In no way do they represent the views of the Rhinelander Daily News.

Post a comment (150 word limit) »

We will not post reader comments containing racial, religious or personal attacks, slander, profanity, e-mail addresses, mailing addresses, phone numbers or Web site addresses that are for personal or promotional gain.

Name: Email: (optional) Comments: Image Verification: (Case sensitive)

Thank you for your comments! Once your comments are approved, they will appear on the site.