Obit: Michalak, Walter Bernard Jr. (1936 - 2012)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Michalak, Steponik, Ewing, Reichenbach, Kren, Meihak, Riddle, Cummings, Beck, Bloch, Morici, Krueger

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 10/31/2012

Michalak, Walter Bernard Jr. (25 July 1936 - 25 October 2012)

Walter Michalak, 76, of Neillsville died Thursday, Oct. 25, 2012, at his home.

Walter Bernard Michalak Jr. was born July 25, 1936, in Jackson County, the son of Walter Sr. and Mary (Steponik) Michalak. He grew up in the Spalding area, which is between City Point and Pray. He graduated from Pittsville High School and then worked at mossing for a year at a traveling sawmill. He was united in marriage to Margaret H. Ewing Feb. 14, 1955, in Black River Falls. Walter worked for most of his life for the Nelson Muffler and Filter Factory in Neillsville. During his 43 years working for the company, he held various positions from machinist to maintenance to working on special projects at the main office in Stoughton. He retired from Nelson in 1998 and for 12 years after, Walt and Marge wintered in Holiday, FL.

He enjoyed his spare time fixing anything with a motor. He also loved deer hunting, fishing, country music and as a younger man, playing guitar. Most of all, though, Walter enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, buying them anything motorized to play with.

He is survived by his wife, Marge; five children, Linda Michalak of Neillsville, Debbie (Jim) Reichenbach of lake Mills, Tammy (Tim) Kren of Osseo, Brenda (Gary) Meihak of Neillsville and Mary (Bill) Riddle of Neillsville; 13 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; a sister, Verna Cummings of Wheeling, IL; a son-in-law, Kip Beck of Cecil; a sister-in-law, Mary Ann Michalak of Spalding; and many nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death is a son, David Michalak; a daughter, Margie Beck; a grandson, Dan Riddle; a great-grandson, Dylan Bloch; his parents; three brothers, John, Pete and Martin Michalak; and a sister, Rose Morici.

A memorial service for Walter will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012 at the Gesche Funeral Home in Neillsville. Pastor Mark Krueger will officiate. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012, at the Gesche Funeral home.

Honorary casketbearers are Bill Riddle, Gary Meihak, Jim Reichenbach, Tim Kren and Kip Beck.

Online condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com. 

The Gesche Funeral Home is assisting Walter’s family with funeral arrangements.