Surnames: Rasandick, Mazar, Higuera, Vorlander, Gillespie, Stephenson, Locke

----Source: Marshfield News Herald (Marshfield, Wood County, Wis.) Sunday, 8 Mar. 2009

Rosandick, Paul J. (23 July 1919 - 5 Mar. 2009)

LODI -- Paul J. "Murph" Rosandick, 79, our beloved father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, passed away peacefully Thursday, March 5, 2009, in his sleep.

Murph was born July 23, 1929, in Granton, the son of the late Steven and Katherine (Mazar) Rosandick. He attended Granton High School and later graduated from U.W. River Falls with a teaching degree in chemistry, physics and math.

He served in the Korean conflict with honor and distinction. In 1951, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving with the 101st Airborne Division, and was later transferred to the chemical division, where his duties were classified and not discussed. While in the service, Murph played baseball for the Army and was an outstanding player. He had the opportunity to play semi-pro baseball and ended his career with a .333 batting average. After playing baseball on the East Coast, he became a lifelong New York Yankee's fan. He would later say there was no money in semi-pro baseball, so he chose education as a career.

He was united in marriage to Jacquelyn Locke in Chile, Wis. They moved to Lodi, where he began his teaching and coaching career while raising their four children. Paul continued his education and received his master's degree in educational administration. He then became the junior high principal for 23 years and never missed a day of work. He was also the driver's education instructor. He later returned to graduate school and became a licensed superintendent.

After retirement from the school system, Paul worked as a local contractor. He also tended bar at the Bridge Tavern, where he made many lifelong friends. Hunting and fishing were more than a hobby to Murph, from his early years of putting meat on the table for his family to the annual deer hunting ritual held at the hunting shack. Murph, brother Louie and their friends have deer hunted together since 1963, when they purchased Ye Ole' Audubon School that was originally a one-room school house that Murph and his siblings had attended. His love of the outdoors led him to become a guide and a hunter's safety instructor. He was also a licensed gunsmith certified by the North American School of Firearms. Murph loved his German short hair dogs that he raised and trained for many years. Paul was the current commander of Lodi American Legion Post No. 216. He enjoyed cooking for the Legion's many fund raising events. He was a past president and member of the Lodi Optimist Club.

Murph loved gardening and selling his vegetables and flowers at the local farmers market while visiting with the townspeople. His favorite hobby was spending time with his grandchildren.

Paul is survived by his son, J.D. Rosandick; three daughters, Jan Rosandick (Dominique Stephenson), Jayne Rosandick (Wesley Jr.) Gillespie and Jody (Geoff) Vorlander; four grandchildren, Carl and Rachel Vorlander, Sierra and Brooke Gillespie; a brother, Louie (Libby); sisters, Helen and Amanda; sisters-in-law, Eileen and Florence; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Jackie; grandson, Tobin Vorlander; brothers, Joe (Amanda), Mike (Nellie), Stevie (Priscilla), Tommy (Arlene), Johnny (Alice) and Nicky; brothers-in-law, Lawrence and Reuben.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, March 13, 2009, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Lodi, with Fr. Francisco Higuera officiating.

Visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. until the service at the church. Burial with military rites will be at St. Patrick's Cemetery. Luncheon to follow at the American Legion Hall. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorials to the Lodi Library.

As Dad would say "I'm going to the Happy Hunting Grounds."

And Dad "We're sure you are on Da' Big Hunt Now."

Hamre Funeral Home