Obit: Eslinger, Daniel Joseph (1926 - 2013)

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

Surnames: Eslinger, Lechner, Janesich, Probst, Pries, Liebsch, Samplawski, Lose, McGee, Shuttleworth

----Source: Thorp Courier (Thorp, Clark Co., WI) 3/20/2013

Eslinger, Daniel Joseph (19 February 1926 - 18 March 2013)

Daniel Joseph Eslinger, age 87, lifelong resident of rural Stanley, husband, father, friend, local historian, businessman, musician, humanitarian, farmer, civic and faithful servant, a lover of life and an “all around good guy,” passed way on March 18, 2013 - alongside his family at his ancestral farm.

Daniel, a.k.a. “Mussy”, was born on February 19, 1926 at his home place on County Highway G, son of Lawrence and Susan Eslinger. He attended Sol Mohr rural school, then St. Ann’s Parochial School; Stanley High School graduate, Class of 1943. He proudly coordinated the “all class” reunions for many years to follow and proudly farmed from 1941 until his death.

On February 2, 1969, Mussy married Cecilia Janesich, of Milwaukee, at St. Ann’s Catholic Church during a raging snowstorm. The following year, Mussy bought into co-ownership of The Stanley Theater, which he and Cecilia ran together successfully for 45 years and continues on as a family-owned business. Throughout his life, Mussy ran the Stanley-Boyd Drum and Bugle Corps from 1945-1970 and The Stanley Theater softball team for 10 years. He was on the board of the local Farmers Union Co-op for 35 years as president and served for 12 years at Holy Family parish as funeral Eucharistic Minister and lector. He proudly served on other various church organizations including the Foresters and the Knights of Columbus as a Third Degree Knight. Mussy was known for his kindness, conversation, stores and the love of his family and community!

Survivors include: wife, Cecilia Eslinger (nee: Janesich); three daughters: Phil Probst, Williamsport, PA, Gloria Eslinger, Superior, WI, and Theresa (Daryl) Pries (nee: Eslinger); three sons: Louis Eslinger, Cadott, WI, Theodore (Todd Liebsch) Eslinger, Burnsville, MN, and Charles (Cynthianna) Eslinger, Crestview, FL; treasured family friend, Andrew Samplawski of St. Cloud, MN; also survived by grandchildren: Joseph Probst, Gregory (Amanda Lose) Probst, Thomas (Kylie McGee) Probst, Lucia, Marcianna, & Vincent Pries, Charlotte & Chapman Eslinger; and great-grandchildren: Landon and Rhyder Probst.

Daniel is preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence and Susan Eslinger (nee: Lechner).

Service will be held on Saturday, March 23, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church, Stanley with Fr. Edward Shuttleworth officiating. Burial will follow in the parish cemetery. Friends and family may call on Friday evening from 4-8 p.m. at the Plombon Funeral Home, Stanley, with a 4:00 p.m. rosary being recited.