Obit: Tillisch, Michael R. Jr. (1923 - 2009)

Contact: Robert Lipprandt

Email: rloss@bellsouth.net

Surnames: Biederman, Gerhard, Grevatch, Hiebl, Johnson, Kapas, Lavicka, Tillisch

----Source: The Record Review (Abbotsford, Clark Co., WI) Wednesday, November 23, 2009, Online Edition

Tillisch, Michael R. Jr. (March 15, 1923 - November 20, 2009)

Michael “Mike” R. Tillisch Jr., age 86, of Wausau, died Friday, November 20, 2009, at Allison House Assisted Living, Schofield, under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Service, surrounded by his loving family.

Michael was born March 15, 1923, in Davenport, Iowa, to the late Michael R. Tillisch Sr. and Elva (Biederman) Tillisch.

Michael graduated from Tomahawk High School where he excelled in football and

basketball. He served his country honorably in the Army Air Force from 1943 – 1946. He had received his Bachelors of Science Degree at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1948 and his Law Degree from UW-Madison in 1950. He was also a member of the varsity basketball team.

He married Marjorie Gerhard in 1958 and she died in 1976.

Mike then married Elizabeth Lavicka on November 19, 1983, she survives.

Michael was with Wausau Insurance for 33 years concluding as Vice President, Claims at Wausau Insurance in 1983, he was then self employed as an Insurance Claims Consultant from 1983-2002.

He was a member of the State Bar of Wisconsin; International Association of Defense

Counsel; Defense Research Institute; Civil Trial Lawyers of Wisconsin; President of

Rotary Club of Wausau from 1974-1975 and a Paul Harris recipient and President United Way of Marathon County from 1973-1975; he was on the Boy Scout Advisory Committee and as a young scout he had attended the very first Boy Scout Jamboree in Washington, D.C. Michael had been a member of the Wausau River Walk Committee and an Ambassador for Wausau Area Chamber of Commerce. He was a member of St. Michael Parish.

Michael was an avid golfer, twice winning the Wausau Country Club’s Green Jacket, a diehard Wisconsin Badger and Green Bay Packer fan. He loved the sport of curling and involved many family members. He enjoyed telling stories of his days playing on the Armed Forces basketball team that flew around the country on a DC-3 to entertain the troops. Michael loved spending time with his family and friends and was known for his wit and humor. He enjoyed dancing with his wife Elizabeth, traveling and vacationing, especially in St. Maarten, listening to hours of news and political broadcasts and watching Wheel of Fortune.

Besides his wife, Elizabeth Tillisch, Wausau, he is survived by seven children, Cal

(Marcia) Tillisch, Wausau, Eric (Deanna) Tillisch, Hartland, and their children, Kayla,

Kasey and Morgan, Kathryn (Mark Johnson) Tillisch, South Riding, Va., Michael Hiebl, Barcelona, Spain, and his children, Darian, Nicolas and Sarah, Jean (Steve) Crooks, Wausau, and their children, James, Marisa and David, Doug Hiebl, Wausau, Deanna (John) Kapas, Champlin, Minn., and their children, Tucker and Natalie; daughter-in-law, Patty Hiebl, Wausau, and her children, Emily and Daniel. He is further survived by a large extended family that he truly enjoyed.

Besides his parents and late wife he was preceded in death by a son, Steve Hiebl.

Funeral Mass was celebrated at 12 noon on Tuesday, Nov. 24, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Wausau. Rev. William Grevatch presided. Private entombment was at the Restlawn Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation was held from 4 to 8 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 23, at the Brainard Funeral Home, Wausau, and again from 10 a.m. until the time of service at the church on Tuesday.

The family requests memorials in lieu of flowers to be divided among Mike’s favorite

charities, Wausau Community Foundation, Samoset Council Boy Scouts of America,

Hospice, St. Vincent de Paul, Wausau Cabrini Conference, St. Michael’s Parish and the Wausau Area Parkinson’s Association.

On-line condolences may be given at www.brainardfuneral.com

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