Obit: Mechelke, Warren A. "Duke" (1927 – 2016)

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Mechelke, Roe, Potter, Burgess, Miller, LaGasse, Becker, Nelson, Ambelang, Applegate, Molitor, Wojcik, Schmidt, Shackleton

Source: Marshfield News Herald (Marshfield, WI) 26 Aug 2016

Mechelke, Warren A. "Duke" (29 SEP 1927 – 23 AUG 2016)

WARREN A. "DUKE" MECHELKE, age 88, of Loyal, died on Tuesday, August 23, 2016, at Ministry St. Joseph's Hospital in Marshfield. Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, August 29, 2016. at York Center United Methodist Church. Rev. Patsy Roe will officiate and burial will follow in the church cemetery. Pallbearers will be his grandchildren: Doug Becker, Karen Nelson, Kim Ambelang, Amy Mechelke, Jason Mechelke, Jodi Applegate, Corey Miller and Shawn Miller. Visitation will be held at the church, on Monday, from 9:30 a.m. until time of service.

Warren August Mechelke was born on September 29, 1927 in Mansfield, OH, to August and Luella (Potter) Mechelke. When he was a young boy, his family moved to Ladysmith, WI, where he was raised and received his education. At the age of 8, Duke began working for a farmer in Ladysmith, and at the age of 13, he began hauling canned milk. He was united in marriage to Violet Burgess on June 30, 1948, at the Methodist Church in Ladysmith. Duke worked at Grow Cheese Factory in Ladysmith, as a mechanic and hauled milk. They moved to Olympia, WA, where he worked for a farmer for one year. They returned to Ladysmith and Duke worked as a mechanic for Robinson's Ford and started farming. In September of 1958, they moved to Loyal where they purchased a farm and raised their family. While farming, Duke also hauled milk for Schlinsog Dairy and was the Town of York patrolman. After retiring from farming, he and his wife, Vi, cleaned Citizens State Bank in Loyal. He continued to live on the farm until being hospitalized in January 2014. Duke spent a short time at House of the Dove, and then entered Miller Alternative Care, in Marshfield, where he resided until his death.

He was a member of York Center United Methodist Church, where he served on the church council and was the bell ringer for many years, and was a member of the Circle 8 Square Dancers.

He had many interests, but especially loved cows, horses, dogs, square dancing, hunting, and feeding and watching the birds.

Duke will be dearly missed by his children: Bonnie (Jerome) Becker of Marshfield; Jack (Barbara) Mechelke of Loyal; Arlene (Marvin) Miller of Loyal; James Mechelke (Dawn LaGasse) of Loyal; 8 grandchildren: Doug Becker, Karen (Shannon) Nelson, Kim Ambelang, Amy Mechelke, Jason (Katie) Mechelke, Jodi Applegate, Corey (Nik) Miller and Shawn Miller (fiancé Macy Molitor); 10 great-grandchildren: Alyssa, Brooklyn, Rendon, Ridge, Desirae, Teanna, Sawyer, Velda, Violet and Vaida; his step-mother: Della Wojcik of Ladysmith, WI; 3 sisters: June Schmidt of Grants Pass, OR, Rose Beckett of Ladysmith, WI, Pat (Ernie) Wawrzyniak of South Bend, IN; 6 brothers: Richie Mechelke of Bruce, WI, Len Mechelke of Cadott, WI, Bruce (Penny) Shackleton of Hayward, WI, Fran (Mary) Mechelke of Ladysmith, WI, Billy (Doreen) Mechelke of Rice Lake, WI, Bob (Karen) Mechelke of Gilman, WI; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Vi, on May 1, 2013; one grandson, Luke Miller; one brother, Willard Mechelke; and 4 sisters: Evelyn Hamilton, Betty Paul, Mae Watson and Joyce Pennington.

Duke's family would like to thank the staff at House of the Dove and Miller Alternative Care for the care and compassion shown to him and the family during his stay there.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.cuddiefh.com.

Cuddie Funeral Home, of Loyal, is assisting the family with arrangements.