Bio: Batcher, William (Took Oath - 2023)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail:
dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Bratcher
----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 8/9/2023
The Honorable Judge William Bratcher (Took Oath - 2023)
.jpg)
The Honorable Judge William Bratcher, elected April 4, officially took the oath
of his judgeship Aug. 1, at the Clark County Courthouse in Neillsville
Edward DuBois/Clark County Press
BioM: Marriage Licenses (Aug - 2023)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail:
dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Wagler, Keim, Zeist, Shirk, Dorwaldt, Kulp, Vetter, Wegner, Weber,
Kramer, Looker, Ehlers
----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 8/9/2023
Marriage Licenses (Aug - 2023)
Melvin E. Wagler, Town of Warner, to Ella J. Keim, Town of Hixon, Aug. 16, at
the Town of Hendren.
Noah M. Zeist, to Helen M. Shirk, both of Town of Hixon, Aug. 10, at the Town of
Hoard.
Timothy A. Dorwaldt, to Queena R. Kulp, both of village of Spencer, Aug. 12, in
Marathon County.
Aspen K. Vetter, to Allison K. Wegner, both of Garfield County, Colorado, Aug.
9, in Wood County.
Mark J. Weber, to Michelle R. Kramer, both of Colby, Aug. 12, at the Colby.
Jacob J. Looker, to Jordan N. Ehlers, both of Taylor County, Aug. 19, at the
Township of Withee.
News: Chili - Street Dance Draws in a Crowd (2023)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail:
dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Montgomery, Vintage
----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 8/9/2023
Chili Street Dance Draws on a Crowd (2023)
Bobby Vintage, a classic country-genre singer, performed for his fifth year at
the Chili Street Dance.
L. B./Clark County Press
By L. B., reporter
The Chili Street Dance was hosted Aug. 5 by Bobby Vintage and the Spicy Tie
Band, performers who got the town of Chili to dance in the streets. Along with
the tradition of street dancing, a cornhole tournament, kiddie tractor pulls and
much more took place.
The cornhole tournament started at 3 p.m. and lasted over two hours. Teams and
solo players contested each other while friends and family watched and chattered
on the sidelines.
At 4 p.m., bouncy houses opened for the children of Chili, and were in use for
the rest of the night. The kiddie tractor pull started with the youngest
contestants and ended with the oldest. Even the big kids had trouble moving the
weight to the finish line.
During these events, the Make-A-Wish food tent was selling brats, burgers and
more.
“It’s a fundraiser for a fundraiser,” Punk Montgomery said, organizer of the
Make-A-Wish convoy. “We do this yearly; this is our seventh or eighth time. We
make about $2,000, and each year, it goes up a little.”
A pie and ice cream sale ran alongside the Make-A-Wish tent. It sold apple,
blueberry, pumpkin, peanut butter, cheesecake and more kinds of pies, as well as
water, soda and ice cream.
When the kiddie tractor pull was done, the coin scramble began. The youngest
kids piled into the sawdust pile and handed their parents the pennies they
found. The older kids searched with more ferocity, but both age groups ended up
coated in sawdust.
Bobby Vintage started performing at 5 p.m. He is a classical country singer who
has been coming to this event for five years. He plays guitar and sings old
country.
At 8:30 p.m., the Spicy Tie Band began performing and the streets of Chili were
filled with dancing.
News: Neillsville - County Fairgrounds Updated (2023)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail:
dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Buchholz, Lowery
----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 8/9/2023
Neillsville—County Fairgrounds Updated (2023)
A white fence was added around the perimeter of the rock beds to keep traffic
off the area surrounding the livestock building. Nancy Curtin/Clark County Press
By Nancy Curtin
Alan Buchholz, president of 4-H Leaders Federation and manager of the food stand
for the past 20 years, and Brittney Lowry, a “super volunteer,” member on the
Clark County Revitalization Project Committee and 4-H leader for the Happy
Valley 4-H, spoke about the recent improvements made to the Clark County
Fairgrounds in Neillsville ahead of the 2023 Clark County Fair, kicking off this
week.
After the 2022 Clark County Fair wrapped up, a few members of the 4-H Leaders
Federation and Curtiss Lindner of the Clark County Forestry and Parks Department
toured the fairgrounds to determine what needed to be upgraded in an effort to
make the area more accessible and appealing for future fairs and events.
As the Clark County Forestry and Parks Department looked around the fairground,
they saw a few other areas that needed upgrading to make the fairground
handicap- and stroller-accessible. The Clark County Fairgrounds Revitalization
Project Committee was formed a few years ago to tackle the other concerns and
resulted in the new livestock barn in 2022.
Some of the remaining funds from the revitalization project were used along with
funds made available from the forestry and parks department after Linder moved
the budget around, providing a nice, green space for families to enjoy together
along with a new band shell to provide a variety of entertainment. The green
space has picnic tables with umbrellas and solar lights. The benches are
equipped with USB chargers.
“How cool is that?” Lowry asked.
There are sidewalks from every area to the green space to help get guests safely
to the green space. New sidewalks were put in going into the dairy show barn,
eliminating the steps.
The Clark County Fairgrounds Revitalization Project Committee handled animals
that had outgrown the barns onsite. Some barns needed major repairs and others
had safety concerns. The new livestock barn allows the animals to be in the same
building as the show ring, eliminating movement of animals between buildings,
which had become a safety concern for many.
The whole barn’s inside has been cemented for easy accessibility. The dairy show
ring and dining room were given a washing to make the area cleaner, brighter and
more inviting. Water bottle fillers in the fine arts and dairy show ring
buildings were added. Additional stations are being considered in other
buildings.
There has been some new landscaping done to make it more eye appealing, as well.
Buchholz spoke regarding the dairy show barn.
“It was a good 12- to 16-inch step down when entering the building,” Buchholz
said. “One of the most common complaints was group homes were having trouble
bringing residents because several areas were becoming difficult for those in
wheelchairs and scooters having a hard time accessing the buildings.”
A bridge was built over the drainage ditch along the green space and the
sidewalk was extended, providing straight-shot access from the livestock barn to
the dairy show barn.
A white fence was added around the perimeter of the rock beds to keep traffic
off the area surrounding the livestock building.
Trees were planted in the green space to provide future shading.
Buchholz has spent the past week getting the food stand prepared.
“I’m amazed the number of people coming up here to walk and kids riding their
bikes,” Buchholz said.
News: Neillsville - Marshfield Sports Hall of Fame
Induction (2023)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail:
dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Hoeser, Zank
----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 8/9/2023
Neillsville - Men Inducted into Marshfield Sports Hall of Fame (Hoeser/Zank -
2023)
By L. B., reporter
Larry Hoeser and Rich Zank are being inducted into the Marshfield Area Baseball
and Softball Hall of Fame. Hoeser is being inducted for his years of sports
broadcasting for Central Wisconsin Broadcasting (CWB).
“I’ve been with [CWB] in Neillsville now for 34 years,” Hoeser said. “I started
full time in September of 1989. I was the continuity director at the time, and I
did some broadcasting of games.
“A couple of years later, the sports director moved away, and I took on that job
as well, and started doing most of the play-of-the-play for football,
basketball, baseball and softball games in our area.
“I’ve covered a number of state championship games over the years in football,
basketball, baseball and softball involving area schools like Neillsville,
Greenwood, Loyal, Owen-Withee, Stanley-Boyd and Thorp. Play-by-play for sports
has always been what I’ve wanted to do, and I don’t see myself slowing down
anytime soon, especially now that my sons will be playing at the high school
level.”
Rich Zank was a left-handed pitcher for his baseball career. He started playing
in Neillsville with Little League for eight years and played baseball in high
school all four years.
“I was drafted in 1965 by the Washington Senators and later in 1966 by the
Cleveland Indians where I played with their minor league clubs for four years,”
Zank said. “The years were split up among Reno, Nevada, Dubuque, Iowa,
Pawtucket, Rhode Island, Waterbury, Connecticut and Rock Hill, South Carolina.
That was the end of my baseball career at the age of 22.
“Once I graduated from college in 1971, I taught mathematics in Red Wing,
Minnesota for 33 years and then retired.”
Zank was surprised when he was notified that he would be inducted to the
Marshfield Area Baseball and Softball Hall of Fame.
“I last played baseball 54 years ago,” Zank said. “Why, at the age of 76, did
someone remember my name? I think someone may have remembered that I had struck
out 30 batters in 12 innings in a game against Abbotsford in the Cloverbelt
League.
“There were other highlights of my baseball life but that stands out as a game
that wouldn’t end.”
The induction ceremony will be held at the Marshfield Eagles Club on Aug. 19.
Obit: Bravener, Danny (1954 - 2023)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail:
dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Bravener, Teter, Langreck, Symicek, Richard, Kane
----Source: Cuddie Funeral Home (Greenwood, Clark Co., WI) 8/10/2023
Bravener, Danny (22 July 1954 – 7 August 2023)
Danny Bravener, age 69, of Greenwood, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, August
7, 2023.
Visitation services will be held on Friday, August 18 from 3 p.m.-6.p.m. at
Cuddie Funeral Home in Greenwood. A luncheon will follow from 6 p.m.-8 p.m. at
American Legion in Greenwood.
Danny Bravener was born on July 22, 1954, to Dell and Norma Jean (Teter)
Bravener. He married Toni Langreck on June 21, 1978. He was raised and received
his education in the Greenwood area. Danny began his 52 year career as an
Inseminator for ABS Global receiving many awards and accolades for his
outstanding service. He also started driving a cattle truck at the age of 17 and
spent many years farming.
In his spare time, he spent many hours supporting Greenwood Schools as the
Booster Club president for 21 years and more than two decades taking stats for
the varsity football games and JV and Varsity Basketball games. Ten years ago he
took on a new hobby of beekeeping.
Danny will be dearly missed by his wife of 45 years, Toni, of Greenwood; his
children: Jeannie (Aaron) Symicek of Cottage Grove, MN, Jason Bravener of
Marshfield, Kevin (Jenny) Bravener of Oregon; Grandchildren: Riley and Samantha
Symicek; his siblings: Carol (Dan) Richard, Richard (Vicky) Bravener, Kenny
(Karen) Bravener, Barb (Rich) Kane, Arnie (Brenda) Bravener; many nieces,
nephews, other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and one brother-in-law: Bernard
Langreck.
In lieu of flowers, please consider planting a tree in his name or volunteering
your time for Greenwood athletic events.
Obit: Drinka, Abraham (2005 -
2023)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail:
dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Drinka
----Source: Gesche Funeral Home (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 8/9/2023
Drinka, Abraham (4 March 2005 – 27 July 2023)
Abraham Drinka, age 18, of Neillsville, passed away July 27, 2023, after a car
accident.
Abe Drinka was born on March 4th, 2005, to Brian and Melissa Drinka in
Neillsville. He went to school at Neillsville High School where he had just
graduated. He worked at Prince Building Systems in Neillsville, during this time
he also became welding certified at Mid-state Technical College in Marshfield.
Prior to the accident he was considering working as a welder, although he had
found a strong work family with PBS.
Abe was always making people laugh, acting goofy, and doing this his own way
(usually the hard way). He enjoyed hanging out with friends, hunting, welding,
working on vehicles and driving anything. He cared deeply about everyone in his
life. He considered everyone he was close to be part of his family and was
always wanting to help. He will be remembered for his love of driving,
infectious smile, quirky grin and love for others. In Abe's own words: "This is
family."
Abe is survived by his parents, Brian and Melissa Drinka and his sibling, Skylar,
Will and Laurna Drinka. He is remembered and missed by his family, his friends
and his church and work families.
A Funeral will be held at Living Hope Church at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, August 19,
2023. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. also at the church.
There will be a lunch immediately after the service. Everyone is also invited to
Brian and Melissa Drinka's home to visit with the family following lunch.
Online Condolences may be made at
www.geschefh.com. Gesche Funeral Home and Cremation Service is
assisting Abe's family with funeral arrangements.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Abraham Drinka, please visit our flower store.
Obit: Gamble, Earl Joseph (1946- 2023)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail:
dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Gamble, Nys, Devries, Olson, White, Nielsen, Bauman, Smith, Dix,
Baierl, Saylor
----Source: Life Tributes Funeral Home (Spencer, Clark Co., WI) 8/10/2023
Gamble, Earl Joseph (14 January 1946 – 8 August 2023) With Flag
Earl J. Gamble, age 77, of Marshfield, passed away in the evening hours of
Tuesday, August 8, 2023, at Marshfield Medical Center.
Earl was born January 14, 1946, in West Allis to Edward and Adeline (Nys)
Gamble. He was a graduate of Spencer High School and then attended Brown
Institute of Broadcasting in Minneapolis, MN. Also during this time, he served
his country in the Wisconsin Army National Guard from 1966 to 1972. On July 2,
1966, he was united in marriage to Sharon DeVries at Christ the King Catholic
Church in Spencer. Life and family led him away from the broadcasting field, but
Earl was a man of many skills; he was employed in various sales representative
positions for several businesses early in his career. He eventually was drawn
back to media work for radio station WMJA in Spencer, now known as WOSQ, as a
radio DJ, studio host and play-by-play announcer. Led by his love for cars, he
became a managing partner at Best Buy Auto in Marshfield for over a decade and
then after semi-retirement, was on-site manager at the McMillan Court Apartments
in Marshfield.
He was a lifetime member of Christ the King Catholic Church in Spencer where he
also served as a eucharistic minister, a lecturer, a CCD instructor and was a
church choir member throughout the years. As a younger adult, he was also active
in the Spencer Swamp Stompers Snowmobile Club, the Spencer Jaycees, and served
briefly on the Spencer village board. He lived to entertain and make people
laugh and was able to do that acting in many comedic productions around the
area, including the Showcase Players in Colby, Campus Community Players in
Marshfield, and several community/school productions in Spencer at the Tack
Center. He was also well-known as the long-time PA announcer for the Spencer &
now SC Rocket football program and other sports and was very proud to be
formally honored as the “Voice of the Spencer Rockets” during halftime of one of
the last games he was able to work. A “big kid” himself, Earl had a special
ability to connect with children and was usually the uncle who’s silliness
delighted the kids at large family gatherings. This eventually led to another
favorite activity of his during the holidays, when he masterfully played the
role of Santa Claus at many public events throughout the Spencer and Marshfield
areas.
Earl enjoyed many hobbies in addition to his theater involvement, including
fishing, boating, swimming, eagle watching, reading, and listening to big band
music. He was both a World War II history and an old car buff, who eagerly
attended many of the area classic cars shows. Most important to him, however,
was simply getting to spend quality time with family and friends, which included
playing cards, vacationing at lakefront cabins up north, and hanging out with
his coffee clutch at the local YMCA.
Those who will cherish his memory include his loving wife of 57 years, Sharon;
his sons, Kevin (Jackie Olson) Gamble of Chili, Dennis (Darcy) Gamble of
Marshfield and Jim (Lorna) Gamble of Red Cliff; his daughter, Jennifer (John Jr)
White of Marshfield; his grandchildren, Sydney (Jake) Nielsen, Christopher
Gamble, Hannah Gamble, Hayden Bauman, and Isaac Gamble; his step-grandchildren,
Cami White, Brittany (Alex) Smith, Ashley Dix, McKaila Olson, Mariah Olson, and
Kaden Olson; and his great-granddaughter, Everleigh Nielsen. He is further
survived by his siblings, Jerry (Mary) Gamble of Cambridge, Ontario, Rosalie
Baierl of Wausau, Richard (Kathy) Gamble of Attleboro, Massachusetts, and David
Gamble of Wausau along with many other relatives and friends.
Earl was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Adeline Gamble; his
brother, William Gamble; his sister-in-law, Rosemary Gamble and his
brother-in-law, Arthur Baierl.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 A.M. on Saturday, August 19, 2023,
at Christ the King Catholic Church in Spencer with Rev. Barry Saylor
officiating. He will be laid to rest in West Spencer Cemetery in the Town of
Sherman with military honors. Family and friends are invited to gather for a
visitation at Life Tributes Funeral Home in Spencer on Friday, August 18th from
4 P.M. to 7 P.M. and again at the church on Saturday from 10 A.M. until time of
services. The honor of pallbearer belongs to his grandsons, Christopher Gamble,
Hayden Bauman, Isaac Gamble and Kaden Olson.
The family would like to thank the YMCA as well as the Marshfield Medical Center
for their exceptional care.
If desired, memorials are being accepted by Earl’s family for either the Lucille
Tack Center for the Arts or the Spencer Public Schools Athletic Department.
Earl’s arrangements are under the care of Life Tributes Funeral Home-Spencer. To
share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit
www.lifetributesfuneralhome.com.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Earl Gamble, please
visit Tribute Store.
Obit: Lord, Patricia “Pat” (1938 - 2023)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail:
dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Lord, Juenemann, Dwyer, Barningham, Chamberlain, Groll, Haffenbredl,
Hester, Kouraichi, Martinez, Schiefelbein, Szutkowaki, Wold, Komorowski, Kehoss
----Source: Gesche Funeral Home (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 8/10/2023
Lord, Patricia “Pat” (30 June 1938 – 3 August 2023)
Patricia "Pat" Lord went to be with Jesus on August 3, 2023, at the Lord Farm in
Willard.
Pat was born on June 30, 1938, in Milwaukee, to John and Marcella (nee
Juenemann) Dwyer. She graduated from Pius XI Catholic High School in Milwaukee
in 1956 and married the love of her life James "Jim" Lord in 1968. She spent
many years working on the assembly line at Briggs and Stratton in Milwaukee
during the 1960s and early 1970s. In 1977, Pat and Jim bought a farm in south
Willard, where she lived until her death. Pat and Jim converted the farm from
dairy to beef cattle in the 1990s, and she was an equal partner in all farm
operations. After the dairy cattle were sold in 1990, Jim and Pat took their
home-schooled daughter Jennifer on multiple month-long motorhome tours of the
Western United States. Pat loved all her grandchildren and helped as a "gran-nanny"
to her grandchildren Evangeline and Amin before they went to kindergarten. Pat
loved Bible-reading, growing flowers, berry picking, traveling, knitting and
crocheting.
She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Jim Lord. She is the beloved mother
of Barb (Curt) Barmingham, Ted Lord, Craig (Denise) Lord, and Jennifer Lord.
Further survived by grandchildren Sarah Barningham, Jacob Barningham, Jonathan
Chamberlain, Rebecca Groll, Melissa (Tyler) Haffenbredl, Scout Hester, Amin
Kouraichi, Evangeline Kouraichi, Ashley Lord, Elizabeth Lord, Courtney (Matheo)
Lord-Martinez, Nathan Lord, Bailey Schiefelbein, Patience Szutkowaki, and Alex
Wold and many great-grandchildren. Cherished sister of John "Jack" (Shirley)
Dwyer of Jefferson, Texas, Valentine "Val" (Margaret) Dwyer of Oconomowoc, and
brother-in-law Edward "Eddy" Komorowski of Franklin, and countless nieces and
nephews across the country.
She was proceeded in death by her parents and sisters Marcella "Sally" Kehoss
and Mary Komorowski. Visitation will be held on August 19th at Gesche Funeral
Home in Neillsville from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. followed by the Funeral Service.
Burial will be at the Town of Seif Cemetery.
Online Condolences may be made at
www.geschefh.com. The Gesche Funeral Home is assisting Pat's family
with funeral arrangements.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Patricia
Lord, please visit our flower store.
Obit: Meyer, Ronnie D. (1936 - 2023)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail:
dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Meyer, Ehlers, McGuire, Ormond, Robeson
----Source: Buswell Funeral Home (Black River Falls, Jackson Co., WI) 8/10/2023
Meyer, Ronnie D. (19 August 1936 – 6 August 2023) With Flag
Ronnie D. Meyer of Black River Falls, Wisconsin died on August 6, 2023, at his
home.
Ronnie was born to Arthur "Snowball" and Lillian (Ehlers) Meyer on August 19,
1936. He graduated from Neillsville High School in 1954. He spent the majority
of his working years at Nelson Muffler in Neillsville before his retirement.
Ronnie was a true outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting and fishing his entire life.
He also served in the Wisconsin National Guard.
Ronnie married Kathy McGuire in Black River Falls on December 31, 1988. She
survives. Other survivors include sons Mark (Mary) Meyer of Owen; Matt (Dawn
Ormond) Meyer of Neillsville; daughter Jane Robeson of Plymouth; stepsons Jared
(Rebecca) McGuire of Arcadia, and Bobby McGuire of Fridley, MN; granddaughters
Megan and Emma Robeson; step-grandsons Gage and Carson McGuire; and brother Dale
(Mary Ann) Meyer.
He was preceded in death by his parents; stepson Christopher McGuire; and
son-in-law Bryan Robeson.
The family would like to thank St. Croix Hospice for their kind and
compassionate care.
No public service will be held.
The Buswell Funeral Home of Black River Falls is assisting the family, at
715-284-2231.
Obit: Polzin, Calvin Lee (1946- 2023)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail:
dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Polzin, Bucholz Schmidt, Zarnke, Wendt, McDonald, Williams, Vandeberg,
Nelson, Schneider, Millerman, Wagner, Oldham, Sellhausen, Schultz, Bjerke
----Source: Rembs Funeral Home (Marshfield, Wood Co., WI) 8/10/2023
Polzin, Calvin Lee (27 October 1946 – 9 August 2023) With Flag
Calvin L. Polzin, age 76, of Marshfield, passed away on Wednesday, August 9,
2023, at Marshfield Medical Center.
Calvin was born on October 27, 1946, in Neillsville, to Alvin H. and Lucille F.
(Bucholz) Polzin. He was a 1965 graduate of Central High School in La Crosse. He
was a veteran of the United States Army and chose to be stationed in Germany
because of his German heritage, serving from April 11, 1968, until his honorable
discharge on April 2, 1970. He married Marilyn Schmidt in 1980 and they later
divorced.
Calvin was employed at Nelson Manufacturing, Marg’s Rendering Plant, and then at
Pizza Hut for 27 years until his retirement.
He was an avid Wisconsin sports fan, following the Packers, Brewers, and Bucks.
He enjoyed hunting with his dad and brothers but most of all loved his children,
who meant everything to him.
He is survived by his children, Justin (Jessica) Polzin, Holly Zarnke, Ashley
(Chris) Polzin, Crystal Wendt and Ginger McDonald.
He is also survived by grandchildren, Brennan and Breeleigh Polzin, Emily
Williams, Kylee and Logan Zarnke, Conner and Hailey Vandeberg, Carissa Wendt,
Jeremiah Nelson, and Autumn Schneider. He is further survived by his siblings,
Barbara (David) Millerman, Donna (Freddie) Wagner, Linda (Dennis) Oldham, Roger
(Jackie) Polzin, Bonnie (Bill) Sellhausen, and Jerry (Kristi Schultz) Polzin. He
was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Warren Polzin.
Funeral services will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 22, 2023, at
Rembs Funeral Home, Marshfield, where the visitation will be from 10:00 a.m.
until service time. Rev. Doug Bjerke will officiate. The service will be
streamed online at
www.facebook.com/rembsfuneraIhomes. Burial will be in Columbia
Cemetery, Town of Hewett, Clark County, where military rites will be conducted.
Obit: Yonker, John A. (1945 - 2023)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail:
dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Yonker, Bowers,
Hebert, Taylor, Jorgensen, Heiting, Bonitz
----Source: Life Tributes Funeral Home (Spencer, Clark Co., WI) 8/8/2023
Yonker, John A. (4 September 1945 – 30 July 2023) With Flag
John A. Yonker, 77, of Spencer, passed away on Sunday, July 30, 2023, at
Marshfield Medical Center.
John was born on September 4, 1945, in Pascagoula, Mississippi to Rev. Melford
and Alma (Bowers) Yonker. He was a graduate of Spencer High School After
graduation, he joined the United States Army in November of 1965, serving until
November of 1967, as a Sergeant. On August 26, 1967, he was united in marriage
to Karen Hebert at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Spencer. They later divorced.
He was employed at Wick Building Systems in Marshfield working on the floor and
advanced his way up to Plant Superintendent.
He was a member of Zion United Methodist Church in Marshfield. Also being a
dedicated member of the church choir. One of Johns passions was singing and
playing guitar. He played guitar with his brother David throughout his life,
resulting in their Wormwood album by the Yonker Brothers. He was part of the New
Covenant Group, a religious singing group that shared their time and talents
with churches and residents of local nursing homes and other related groups in
the area.
He loved to go hunting and fishing resulting in many travels to Canada and
Michigan. His happiest place was his cabin and hunting land in Park Falls, known
as Buppa’s Boonies. Everybody was always welcome with open arms whether it was
to get away or to hunt.
He is survived by his 3 children, Kelly Taylor of Spencer, Sam Yonker of
Spencer, and Messeana Jorgensen of Wayzata, Minnesota; his former son-in-law,
Terry Taylor of Marshfield; his grandchildren Nathan (Alex Heiting) Taylor of
Stratford and Dillon Taylor of Spencer; his great grandchildren, Tucker and Otto
Taylor; his brother David Yonker of Marshfield; his sister Cindy Bonitz of
Stevens Point; his sister June Yonker of Marshfield; his former brother-in-law
Dennis Hebert of Spencer; many nieces and nephews. Including his trusted canine
companions, Jax and Kooper.
John was preceded in death by his parents, Rev. Melford and Alma Yonker; his
former wife, Karen Yonker and his sister, Carol.
Special thanks to 8 North at Marshfield Medical Center for their care and
compassion.
A celebration to honor John’s life will be held by family at a later date.
John’s arrangements are under the care of Life Tributes Funeral Home-Spencer.
To share a memory or offer condolences, please visit
www.lifetributesfuneralhome.com.
.jpg)
