Obit: Gay, Ernest C. (1930 - 2016)

Contact: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Cain, Fetheree, Gay, Kargol, Kowalski, Kraig, Peterson, Schneider

----Source: The Tribune - Phonograph (Abbotsford, WI) 2/04/2016

Gay, Ernest C. (28 MAY 1930 - 2 FEB 2016)

Ernest C. Gay, age 85, of Waupaca, formally of Owen, passed away on February 2, 2016 at the Bethany Home in Waupaca.

A Memorial Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 6, 2016 at 11:00 AM at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Owen. Father Janusz Kowalski will officiate. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until time of service on Saturday at the church.

Ernest was born in Withee, WI on May 28, 1930 to Thadeus and Helen (Kargol) Gay. Ernest married Marilyn Peterson on June 13, 1953 at St. Francis Catholic Church in Ellsworth, WI. Together they had four children: one daughter, Rosalyn Fetheree of Alpharetta, GA; and three sons: David (Laurie) Gay of Hayward, Steven (Jean) Gay of Altoona, and Robert (Jayne) Gay of Waupaca.

Ernest attended Owen-Withee High School, UW River Falls, and obtained a law degree from UW Madison in 1956. He opened a law office in Owen in 1956 and practiced law there until his retirement in 1997. After retirement, he and Marilyn moved to Tomahawk, where Ernest was a part time realtor at Town and Country Realty.

Ernest served for 15 years on the Owen-Withee School Board and served on the Holy Rosary School board. He was elected to the Wisconsin Association of School Boards as a director and president. Ernest liked being part of many organizations and enjoyed visiting with people. He also enjoyed golfing, bowling, and hunting. His greatest asset was his sense of humor.

Ernest is survived by his wife of 62 years: Marilyn; 4 children: Rosalyn, David, Steven, and Robert; 12 grandchildren: Jack Schneider, Adam (Jessica) Schneider, Katherine Fatheree, Keith (Kristi), Kraig (Elizabeth) Gay, Kristin (Jesse) Cain, Ryan (Natasha) Gay, Jestin Gay, Aaron (Sara) Gay, Erik (Carrie) Gay, and Brandon Gay; and 10 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by two brothers: Ervin of Madison, and Ted, Jr. of New Sharon, Maine; and two sisters: Darlene of Palm Desert, CA and Shirley of Hartland, WI.