Obit: Macha, Alex Frank (1926 - 2017)

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

Surnames: Macha, Kumm, Gaulke, Kett, Hoffman, Arndt, Biebert

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 1/03/2018

Macha, Alex Frank (17 July 1926 – 29 December 2017) With Flag

Alex Macha, age 91, of Hatfield, formerly of Wisconsin Rapids, died Friday December 29, 2017 at his home.

Alex Frank Macha was born on July 17, 1926 in Nekoosa, the son of Amos and Clara (Kumm) Macha. He was raised on a farm near Pittsville, and at the age of 14, he and his parents, moved to Iowa where they farmed until 1943. They then moved to Wisconsin Rapids, where Alex went to work for the Dana Machine Co. as an apprentice machinist. He entered the United States Army in 1944, and served in the European Theatre. After his honorable discharge at the rank of Master Sargent in 1946, he returned to Wisconsin Rapids, and again worked at Dana’s until 1949, when he went into the oil business. He was united in marriage to Dorothy Gaulke in October of 1946. He sold the oil business in 1956, and then worked for a paper mill for several years. After leaving the paper mill, he started a lawn and garden sales and service business with his wife, that they operated for 31 years, retiring in 2000. They then moved to Hatfield, where they spent many good years together, often taking time to travel extensively.

He was a founding member of St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Wisconsin Rapids, and, served as their treasurer for over 25 years. While in Hatfield he held offices at the Sportsman Club and the Snowmobile Club.

He is survived by his three children: Dr. Allen (Betty) Macha of La Crosse, Kathleen (Jeff) Kett of Tomah, and Susan (Bruce) Hoffman of Stevens Point; six grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, a sister, Elaine, one brother, Earl, and a special friend, Adeline Arndt of Neillsville.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy, parents, an infant sister, and a son, Dr. Robert Macha.

Funeral services for Alex will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday January 2, 2018 at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Neillsville. Pastor Timothy Biebert will officiate. Neillsville Veteran’s Council will perform Military Honors in Neillsville. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Monday at the Gesche Funeral Home, and from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., Tuesday at the church. Interment will be in the Forest Hill Cemetery in Wisconsin Rapids.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Hatfield Volunteer Fire Department, N9510 Hwy K Hatfield, Merrillan, WI 54754.

Online condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com.  The Gesche Funeral Home is assisting Alex’s family with funeral arrangements.

Elderly man dies in house fire: (Clark County Press 1/03/2018)

One person is dead after a house fire in the Town of Dewhurst at N459 Arnold Creek Rd. The Clark County Sheriff’s Office received a call shortly after 1 a. m., Friday, Dec. 29, 2017, from the Jackson County 9-1-1 center, reporting a house on fire.

When deputies arrived, the house was fully engulfed in flames. Members of the Hatfield Area Fire Dept. arrived and discovered the home owner, Alex F. Macha, 91, dead inside the burnt home.

The Hatfield Area Fire Dept. responded to the scene with the Black River Falls Fire and Ambulance Service, Neillsville Area Fire Dept. and the Clark County Sheriff’s, and Coroner’s Office. The Wisconsin Department of Justice State Fire Marshal’s Office has been requested to assist in this investigation.

The cause of fire is still under investigation. Macha appears to be the only one at the residence at the time of the fire.