Obit: Deml, Jerome M. (1924 - 2009)
Poster: Robert Lipprandt
Email: bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
 
Surnames: Butler, Deml, Elsner, Emmerich, Ertl, Holmes, Johnson, Kalmon,
Kulig, Melquist, Meulemans, Robida, Stefancin, Stuessy, Wegerer, Willger
 
----Source: The Star News (Medford, Taylor County, Wisconsin) Thursday,
October 15, 2009, Online Edition
 
Deml, Jerome M. (November 25, 1924 - October 8, 2009)
 
Jerome "Romie" M. Deml, 84, Medford, died Thursday, Oct. 8 at his home,
under the care of his family and hospice.
 
Funeral services were held Saturday, Oct. 10 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church
in Medford, with Father Gerard Willger, Father Dennis Meulemans and Deacon
Joe Stefancin officiating. Burial was at Holy Rosary Catholic Cemetery in
Medford, with graveside military rites performed by the Medford Military
Honors Team. Honorary pallbearers were Ken Holmes, Jerry Stuessy, Wally Ertl
and Hank, Ray and Joe Deml.
 
Active pallbearers were Jack and Jason Johnson, Evan Elsner, Jaime Wegerer,
Billy Kalmon and Steve Deml.
 
Jerome Deml was born November 25, 1924 in Medford to the late John and Mary (Ertl) Deml.
 
He attended Thielke Elementary School in the Town of Medford and was a 1942
graduate of Medford High School. After his education, he went to Milwaukee
and worked for one year at Allis Chalmers and for a refrigeration company.
 
He served in the United States Navy from 1946 to 1948 on the aircraft
carrier USS Antietam in the Pacific, then returned to the Medford area and
started his own refrigeration business in 1949 called Ideal Refrigeration.
 
On April 18, 1950 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, he married Mary Ann
Melquist, who survives.
 
In 1950 he changed the name of his business to Medford Refrigeration and
also started mink ranching, and ran both businesses until the time of his
retirement. During retirement, he built a cabin on the Jump River.
 
He was a member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Medford Knights of Columbus and past member of Medford Mink Club and various bowling teams. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening and spending time at his cabin.
 
In addition to his wife, survivors include four daughters, Lindy Butler of
Kansas City, Mo., and Carol (Jack) Johnson, Rita (George) Kalmon and Amy
(Evan) Elsner, all of Medford; two sisters, Aggie Robida of Stetsonville and
Mary (Floyd) Emmerich of Medford; three brothers, Joe (Mary Jane), Hank
(Pat) and Ray (Janet), all of Medford; 15 grandchildren; and eight
great-grandchildren.
 
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Lisa;
two grandchildren; a brother, Andy; a sister, Madlin Kulig; and two
sons-in-law.
 
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations in his name to
sponsor children in need of tuition funds at Holy Rosary School.
 
Hemer Funeral Service of Medford assisted the family with arrangements.
 
Online condolences may be made at www.hemerfuneralservice.com