Obit: Gegner, Oswald "Ozzie" R. (1917 - 2007)

Transcribed by: Crystal Wendt

Surnames: Gegner, Schmidt, Radloff, Cochrane, Salter, Gattuso, Kanapka, Wachsmuth, Bloechl, Graf, Stolarczayk

---Source: Foto News (Merrill, Lincoln Co., Wis.) Wednesday, 5 Dec. 2007; Page 9

---Gegner, Oswald "Ozzie" R. (7 Jan. 1917 - 26 Nov. 2007)

Oswald R. Gegner

Oswald R. "Ozzie" Gegner, 90, of Merrill, died Monday, Nov. 26. 2007, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.

Ozzie was born Jan. 7, 1917, in Lithuania, son of the late Rudolph and Elizabeth Schmidt Gegner. Ozzie's father was killed during World War I. In 1922, he and his mother traveled to the United States to start a new life, arriving on Ellis Island on his fifth birthday. Ozzie married Ruth Radloff on Oct. 20, 1945, in Merrill. She preceded him in death on June 8, 2006.

For many years, Ozzie had been employed at the former Merrill Candy Company and also Merrill Distributing. At the time of his retirement, Ozzie was an Operator #1 for the Merrill Water Utility. He was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Merrill, and served his Lord as an usher, elder, and Board of Finance member. Ozzie enjoyed fishing, bird watching and nature.

Survivors include his daughters Kristine (Richard) Cochrane, North Fort Myers, Fla.; and Julie Gegner, San Diego, Calif.; and granddaughters Michelle (Christopher) Salter, Merrill; and Dominique and Alexandra Gattuso, San Diego, Calif. Also surviving are brother Alfred Kanapka, Merrill; sisters Lydia (W.C.) Wachsmuth, Wausau; and Alma (Donald) Bloechl, Gleason; brother-in-law Eugene (Leona) Graf, Merrill; and sister-in-law Joyce Kanapka, Gleason. He was preceded in death by brother Elmer Kanapka and sister Elvina Graf.

Funeral services were Thursday, Nov. 29, at the Taylor & Stine Funeral Home, Merrill. Rev. R. Brian Stolarczayk officiated. Burial was in Merrill Memorial Park. The family has requested memorials to Trinity Lutheran Church, Merrill, or Comfort Care and Hospice Services. Online condolences at www.taylorstinefuneralhome.com.

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