1

Obit: Wetzel, Otto (1899-1983)

Contact: Kathleen E. Englebretson

Email: kathy@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Wetzel, Lindloff, Meihack, Poeschel, Walk, Bozman, Godwin, Reetz, Kvittem, Hoton

----Source: Marshfield News-Herald (09 November 1983)

Wetzel, Otto (06 August 1899 - 07 November 1983)

NEILLSVILLE -- Services for Otto Wetzel, 94, of Memorial Home who died there Monday evening, will be Thursday at St. John's Lutheran Church, Neillsville.

The Rev. Norman W. Lindloff will officiate, with burial in the Neillsville Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Ronald Meihack, Raymond Wetzel, Bernard Poeschel, John Walk, James Bozman and Alfred Godwin. Visitation will be at the Gesche Funeral Home, Neillsville.

He was born August 6, 1899 in Germany, to the late Mr. and Mrs. Carl (Augusta Reetz) Wetzel. He came to the United States as a young boy and received hid education in country schools and at St. John's Lutheran School in Neillsville. He married Anna Kvittem November 21, 1910 in Fort Atkinson. She died May 18, 1977.

Prior to farming he worked in logging camps for several years. He farmed in the towns of Pine Valley and Hewitt, retiring 15 years ago.

A resident of the Memorial Home the past 1 1/2 years, he was a member of St. John's Evangelical Church.  Survivors include four children, Evelyn Walk of Neillsville, Mildred Bozman of Mattoon, Illinois, Marion Hoton of Arlington, Vermont and Mrs. Leonard (Ruth) Godwin of Milwaukee; 13 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

He was also predeceased by two sons, Clarence and Ernest, and two daughters, Agnes and Gladys, and four brothers and four sisters.

2

Bio: Zachow, Barb (Special Merit - 1986)

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

Surnames: Zachow, Jennings

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 6/12/1986

Zachow, Barb (Special Merit - 1986)

Clark County Press columnist Barb Zachow has been recognized for special merit by the Wisconsin Newspaper Association for her writing skills.

Zachow submitted two of her 1985 columns for the Association’s 1986 “Better Newspaper Contest” and received a third place in the local column category. One of the columns concerned Zachow’s thoughts for Mother’s Day and was carried in the May 9, 1985, edition of The Press. The other piece, printed in the November 21, 1985, issue, was a review of a speech given by Joseph Jennings to Neillsville High School students, an anti-drug presentation which may have been a cover for religious proselytizing.

The judges, drawn from the Michigan Press Association, had this to say about Zachow’s writing: “The Mother’s Day piece was nice, reflective tribute, but Barb’s real strength lies in attaching the ‘Darkside’ of life: The “Jennings” column is the type of ego-busting, whistle-blowing, fog-clearing commentary that we need all the time.”

The award was given our during the Wisconsin Newspaper Association’s 132nd Annual Banquet this past Friday.

3

BioM: Marriage Licenses (May/Jun - 1986)

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

Surnames: Konieczny, Eleno, Dougherty, Martin, Rossman, Schmutzler, Beam, Hughes, Wolf, Yurkovich, Stachovak, Krehmeyer, Morgan, Kryzanski, Wisnewski

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 5/29/1986

Marriage Licenses (May/Jun - 1986)

Gary J. Konieczny to Naomi M. Eleno, both of Thorp, to married at Thorp, May 31.

Timothy P. Dougherty, Town of Washington, PA, to Myna K. Martin, Town of Green Grove, to be married at Unity, June 13.

Bryan P. Rossman to Wendy L. Schmutzler, both of Town of Reseburg, to be married at Thorp, May 31.

Walter W. Beam to Mary E. Hughes, both of Washington, D.C. to be married at Owen, May 24.

Dale M. Wolf, of Auburndale, to Kathleen M. Yurkovich, Town of Mead, to be married at Town of Mead, June 7.

Gerald P. Stachovak, Neillsville, to Nery Stachovak, Wausau, no date or place of marriage given.

Jerry T. Krehmeyer to Barbara J. Morgan, both of Neillsville, to be married at West Salem, June 7.

Keith Richard Kryzanski, Thorp, to Charmaine Sue Wisnewski, Stanley, to be married at Town of Worden, June 14.

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BioM: Marriage Licenses (June - 1986)

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

Surnames: Alleshaski, Mueller, Olson, Hoivik, Diedrich, Zuelke, Holtzheimer, Erikson, Koerner, Ewert, Bauer, Olson, Yoder, Hebert, Pernsteiner, Wight, Petranovich, Wachter, VandeBerg, Nedza, Steiner, Wissell, Pogodzinski, Frome, Green, Zarins, Umback, Yule, Schneider, Anding, Sternitzky

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 6/12/1986

Marriage Licenses (June - 1986)

Alvin I. Alleshaski, to Cindy L. Mueller, both of Unity, to be married at Marshfield, June 21.

Michael L. Olson, Greenwood, to Susan M. Hoivik, Superior, to be married at Greenwood, June 27.

Robert A. Diedrich, to Marcia L. Zuelke, both of Colby, to be married at Colby, June 14.

David M. Holtzheimer, Abbotsford, to Waunda J. Erikson, Colby, to be married at Town of Green Grove, June 14.

Donald J. Koerner, Town of Mayville, to Marie A. Ewert, Town of Colby, to be married at Dorchester, June 21.

Jon J. Bauer, to Rosanne K. Olson, both of Loyal, to be married at Loyal, June 14.

Freddie W. Yoder, to Mary W. Yoder, both of Granton, to be married at Waushara County, June 12.

Larry Alan Hebert, Loyal, to Janell Yvonne Pernsteiner, Town of Beaver, to be married at Loyal, June 7.

Sterling Sheldon Wight, Baraboo, to Shirley Mae Petranovich, Town of Reseburg, to be married at Thorp, June 21.

Joseph P. Wachter, to Renee M. VandeBerg both of Sante Fe, New Mexico, to be married at Neillsville, June 7.

Douglas J. Nedza, Town of Warner, to Tammy A. Steiner, Tow n of Reseburg, to be married at Mauston, June 14.

Jack M Wissell, Town of Hendren, to Christine A. Pogodzinski, of Thorp, to be married at Greenwood, June 14.

Robert L. Frome, Spokane, WA, to Dorothy C. Green, Blaine, MN, to be married at Colby, June 7.

Walters P. Zarins, to Donna M. Umback, both of Fairview, MT, to be married at Withee, no date given.

John T. Yule, to Peggy A. Schneider, both of Neillsville, to be married at Neillsville, June 29.

Curtiss G. Anding, to Christina M. Sternitzky, both of Town of Lynn, to be married at Granton, June 1.

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BioM: Marriage Licenses (June - 1986)

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

Surnames: Roehl, Smith, Mahl, Zettler, Abramowicz, Budzinski, Sternitzky, Schleusner, Hunsader, Horak

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 6/26/1986

Marriage Licenses (June - 1986)

Rodney R. Roehl, to Suzanne C. Smith, both of Town of Pine Valley, to be married in Neillsville, June 21.

Robert Mahl, Abbotsford, to Mary J. Zettler, Town of Johnson, Marathon Co., to be married at Neillsville, June 27.

Wayne A. Abramowicz, of Lublin, Taylor Co., to Tammie T. Budzinski, Town of Reseburg, to be married at Thorp, June 28.

Marvin Sternitzky, Town of Fremont, to Roberta E. Schleusner, Menomonie, to be married at Neillsville June 25.

Mark R. Hunsader, Redlin, CA., to Meg M. Horak, Richmond, IL, to be married at Dorchester, June 21.

6

Church: Greenwood - Grace United Methodist (New Pastor - 1986)

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

Surnames: Field

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 6/5/1986

Greenwood-Grace United Methodist (New Pastor - 1986)

Kevin and Laurie Field, and daughter Lisa, the new pastor has been appointed to Grace United Methodist Church, and will begin the week of June 23. The pastor is a graduate of Perkins School of Theology.

7

Church: Granton-Zion Lutheran (Garbisch Ordination - 1986)

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

Surnames: Garbisch

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 6/26/1986

Granton-Zion Lutheran (Garbisch Ordination - 1986)

Congratulations to Robert Ronald and Mrs. Garbisch on the celebration of his ordination into the ministry. The ordination was held June 22, at Zion Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. Bob began his studies at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana during 982. In August of 1982 he married Wanda Tressler of Paulina, Iowa. He spend the vicarage in Anchorage, Alaska. Bob graduated from Concordia Seminary in May 1986, with a Master of Divinity degree. Robert has accepted a call to serve St. John’s Lutheran Church in Burr Oak, Michigan, with a preaching station at Salem Lutheran Church, Centreville, Michigan. Robert is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Garbisch.

8

News: Clark Co. - St. Joseph’s Commencement (Graduates - 1986)

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

Surnames: Grassman, Strangfeld

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 6/19/1986

Marshfield-St. Joseph’s Commencement (Graduates - 1986)

The seventieth commencement of Saint Joseph’s Hospital was held Saturday afternoon, June 7, at 1:00 p.m., at Marshfield Senior High School Auditorium. Thirty-five members of the class of 1986 were presented and honored at the ceremony. Among the graduate nurses were area residents Patricia Grassman and Michaela Strangfeld. Patricia Ann Grassman is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Grassman, Granton. She has accepted a position at Victory Memorial Hospital, Stanley, WI. She received the Clark County Voiture No. 821, 40 et 8 scholarship in 1985-86. Michaela Strangfeld is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Byrl Strangfeld of Neillsville. She has accepted a position at Saint Joseph’s Hospital in Marshfield. She received the March of Dimes and Neillsville Jacee Women scholarships in 1983-84 and the Clark County 40 et 8 scholarship in 1985-86. She served as class president in 1983-84.

9

Obit: Router, Jenny (1927 - 1986)

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

Surnames: Routar, Geonetti, Collier, Hribar, Suda, Zwaschka, Pakiz, Backus, Dergance, Hodnik, Lesczynski

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 5/29/1986

Router, Jenny (7 January 1927 – 16 May 1986)

Jenny Routar, 59, of 812 School, Withee, and former resident of Canoga Park, CA., died Friday, May 16, in the Hospice Care Unit of St. Joseph’s Hospital, Marshfield.

She was born January 7, 1927, at Willard, attended Willard Grade School and was a 1944 graduate of Greenwood High School. She worked in Minneapolis for five years, also graduating from Northwest Institute of Medical Technology. Moving to Elgin, IL. in 1949 she worked as a medical lab technician for eight years at St. Joseph’s Hospital.

On 1957, she moved to Washington, D.C., where she attended George Washington University, graduating in 1971 with a degree in medical technology. Since 1972, she worked as a California state-licensed clinical laboratory technologist at various facilities in southern California, including Eisenhower Medical Center, Palm Springs, 1972-1977: Motion Picture Hospital, Woodland Hills, 1977-1980; and the I.M.G.I. Laboratory, Mission Hills, 1980 to January 1986.

Surviving are two sisters and a brother, Mrs. Milton (Anne) Collier, of Withee; Mrs. Walter (Clara) Hribar, of Greenwood; and John, of Circle Pines, MN. She was predeceased by her parents, John and Anna (Geonetti) Routar.

Services were held Monday, May 19, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Willard, with burial in Holy Family Cemetery. Officiating were Rev. Emil Hodnik, pastor of St. Bernard’s Church, Abbotsford; and Rev. James Lesczynski, pastor of Holy Family. Pallbearers were Tom Hribar, Dennis Suda, Tom Zwaschka, Frank Pakiz, Walter Backus, and Barney Dergance. Rinka Funeral home of Greenwood was in charge of arrangements.

10

Obit: Sonheim, John H. (1900 - 1986)

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

Surnames: Sonheim, Hollinger, Bishop, Bohac, Johnson, Musil, Weber

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 6/12/1986

Sonheim, John H. (28 November 1900 – 6 June 1986)

Eighty-five year old John H. Sonheim, Rt. 2 Neillsville, died early Friday morning, June 6, at Memorial Hospital. He had been retired from farming for ten years and passed away after a brief illness.

Rev. Richard Weber, of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, conducted a Memorial Service on Sunday, June 8, at the Gesche Funeral Home. Iris Musil provided music. Later, following cremation, the ashes will be interred at Neillsville City Cemetery.

Mr. Sonheim was born in Chicago, Illinois, on November 28, 1900, a son of John and Elizabeth (Hollinger) Sonheim. While a young child, his family moved to the Town of Levis. After receiving an education, he returned to Chicago where he was employed for several years. Eventually, he moved back to the Town of Levis and farmed there for many years.

Survivors included three sisters, Mrs. Jean Bishop, Barrington, Rhode Island; Mrs. Caroline Bohac, Merrillan; and Mrs. Evelyn Johnson, Evanston, Illinois; and three brothers, all in California, Frank J., Citrus Heights; Henry C. Fallbrook; and Daniel W., of Camarillo. He was predeceased by his parents and a brother, Phillip.

11

Obit: Thompson, Richard J. (1918 - 1986)

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

Surnames: Thompson, Winterfield, Vinger, Shinkle, Terry, Sorenson, Carlson

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 6/12/1986

Thompson, Richard J. (25 September 1918 – 7 June 1986) With Flag

Well-known Neillsville businessman Richard J. “Black River Dick” Thompson passed away early Saturday morning, June 7, at Neillsville Memorial Hospital following a lingering illness. Thompson, who was 67 years old, resided at 222 Grand Avenue and had been involved in area real estate firms more than three decades.

A Memorial Service will be held Friday, June 13, at 8:00 p.m.at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Greenwood. The Rev. Dick Sorenson and Rev. Steven Carlson will conduct the service. There will be no visitations, and the body is to be cremated.

Mr. Thompson was born in Davenport, Iowa, September 25, 1918. His parents were Dr. Ernest and Emma (Winterfield) Thompson. He was raised in Catonsville, Maryland, where he attended the lower grade school. He then graduated from West Nottingham Academy and attended the Baltimore City Business College.

In 1941 Thompson enlisted in the Army Air Corps and became the Finance manager at Buckley Field, Colorado. He later entered the China-Burma theater in World War II as a radio operator-mechanic with the rank of master sergeant. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross for flying over 100 “Hump” missions in India, China and Burma.

After receiving an honorable discharge he attended and graduated from Lincoln Chiropractic College in Indianapolis, Indiana. It was there he met his wife, Shirley Vinger, whom he married on November 29, 1947, in Greenwood. After completing two years of private chiropractic practice in Rockville, Maryland, Thompson was recalled into the military for the Korean Conflict and flew supplies out of Stewart Air Force Base in Tennessee.

Upon his discharge he joined his father-in-law, Palmer Vinger, as part of the Vinger, Kavanaugh & Thompson and Real Estate firm. Thompson later became a loan officer of Badger State Credit Co. After residing in Greenwood 23 years, he moved to Neillsville in 1973 where he became known as “Black River Dick” Realty & Appraisals. The past few years he was associated with McNeely Realty of Spencer.

Surviving Thompson are his wife, then former Shirley Vinger; two daughters, Pat Thompson of Portage, and Mrs. Michael (Nan) Shinkle of Davenport, Iowa; a sister, Mrs. Jack (Doris) Terry, Kensington, Maryland; a brother, Fred Thompson, Baltimore, Maryland; and two grandchildren, Michael and Allyson. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Ernest.

Thompson was a member of Wilson-Heintz V.F.W. Post 2241; F.& A.M. Neillsville Lodge 163; The Shriners Lodge; and the Hump Pilots Association. He was also an early director and promoter of the Black River Country Tourism Association.