Obituaries are a service of Brainard Funeral Home, with locations in Wausau and Weston.
Richard Czarnecki
Richard Czarnecki, 85, of Rothschild met his Father in heaven on April 19, 2019.
Richard was born in Poland to the late Stanley and Frances (Antonowka) Czarnecki on Jan. 7, 1934. In 1949, Richard and his family arrived in America. He served his country in the United States Army and became a United States citizen. After his service, Richard worked for Bucyrus in Milwaukee until he retired at the age of 63. He lived his retired days, over 20 years, in Rothschild. Richard had many passions, but especially loved flowers, gardening, growing tomatoes, Polka and dancing. He will be greatly missed.
Richard is survived by his children Peggy Stanishewski, John Czarnecki, Joey Czarnecki, Jerry Czarnecki, and Georgette Czarnecki; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; sister Irene Slivicki; and significant other Sharon Schultz. He was preceded in death by four children, five sisters and four brothers.
A funeral Mass will be held Saturday, April 27, 2019, at 11 a.m. at St. Mark Catholic Church, 602 Military Road, Rothschild, with a visitation from 10 a.m. until the time of Mass. The Rev. Allan Slowiak will officiate. Burial will follow at St. Paul Cemetery, Mosinee.
The family would like to extend their gratitude to the Rothschild Police Department, Forest County Sherriff’s Department, Channels 7 and 9, Rev. Allan Slowiak, Brainard Funeral Home, the St. Mark’s ladies committee, and the father and son team for their compassion and assistance in the search to bring Richard home.
Valeria “Val” Turnmire
Valeria J. “Val” Turnmire, 100, of Wausau passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 20, 2019, at Aspirus Hospice House, Wausau.
She was born March 26, 1919, in Wausau, daughter of the late Jacob and Anna (Gabor) Kujawa. On April 20, 1940, she married Durwood Van Sleet, he preceded her in death on June 12, 1971. On Feb. 15, 1977, she married Clifford Reich, he preceded her in death on Aug. 17, 1979. Her third marriage was on Oct. 20, 1981, to Jay Turnmire, he preceded her in death on Nov. 11, 2005.
Val loved to dance, and played cribbage almost up until the day she died – almost always beating her opponents at the game. She also loved flower gardening and traveling.
Survivors include five children, Frances Foley, Don (Nancy) Van Sleet, Gary (Karrie) Van Sleet, Bruce (Susan) Van Sleet and Robert (JoAnn) Van Sleet; and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends further survive.
Besides her parents and three husbands, she was preceded in death by two grandchildren, Elizabeth Foley and John Van Sleet; and five siblings, Teresa Shiller, Harriet Dietsch, Eleanor Paulus, Walter Kujawa and Herman Kujawa.
The memorial Mass will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 7, 2019, at St. Mark Catholic Church, Rothschild. Rev. Allan Slowiak will preside. Burial will be in Pine Grove Cemetery, Wausau. Visitation will be on Tuesday from 10 a.m. until time of services at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Aspirus Hospice House, 520 N. 32nd Ave., Wausau, WI 54401.
Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 3400 Stewart Ave., Wausau is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
Thomas “Tom” Vick
Thomas “Tom” C. Vick, 87, died Sunday, April 21, 2019, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
He was born May 12, 1931, in Milwaukee, son of the late Elroy and Genevieve (Saucdy) Vick. In 1982, he married Adeline (Kessler) Pakonen at St. Michael Catholic Church, Wausau. She survives.
Tom served his country in the United States Air Force serving in Japan for two years as well as a tour of duty in the Philippines. He retired as a technical sergeant after 20 years of service. After retiring from the military, he worked as a human resources specialist at the Wausau Post Office. Following retirement from the post office, he worked part-time in the maintenance department at Sears. He was a member of the American Legion Montgomery Plant Dudley Post No. 10, Wausau. Tom enjoyed golfing, watching classic movies, and doing projects — especially around the house. He also enjoyed the occasional trip to the casino; but above all, he loved spending time with his family.
Survivors include his wife, Adeline Vick; children, Ken Vick, Debbie (Scott) Vick and April Strausser; and brother, Tracy (Diane) Vick. Grandchildren include Grace and Claire Strausser, Erin and Taylor Vick; step-children, Wayne (Sue) Pakonen and Elaine (David) Luedtke; step-grandchildren, Joe and Nicole Pakonen, Stiina Luedtke, Jacki Gruna and Jamie Zehner; step great-grandchildren, Elias Pakonen, Serenity, Madison, and Jazzy Hein; Billy, Emma, and Evan Niles.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Tim Vick and sisters, Sue Tomany and Maureen Teal.
The funeral Mass will be celebrated 11 a.m. Monday, April 29, 2019, at St. Michael Catholic Church, Wausau. The Very Rev. Msgr. Mark Pierce will preside. Visitation will be Monday from 10 a.m. until the time of services at the church. Private burial will be in Restlawn Memorial Park at a later date.
Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth St., Wausau, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
Jack Ortman
Jack L. Ortman, 80, of Athens died Thursday, April 18, 2019, as the result of an automobile accident.
He was born Nov. 23, 1938, in Indiana, son of the late Robert and Wilma (Connor) Ortman. On June 13, 1964, he married Barbara Hargraves at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Milan. She survives.
For more than 40 years, Jack worked at Marshfield Door. He enjoyed playing solitaire, reading and working on his tractors.
Jack proudly served his country in the United States Army.
Survivors include his wife, Barbara (Hargraves) Ortman, Athens, his children, John and Joel Ortman, both of Wausau, his daughter, Tammy Miles, Athens, two grandchildren, Kasandra Lesieur and Sequoia Miles and four sisters, Donna Solchenberger, Betty (David) Holback, Phyllis (Jerry) Klimpke and Martha Rodman, all of Athens as well as many nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his infant daughter, Vickie and one brother, Jim.
Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 27, 2019, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Milan. Burial will be in Milan Lutheran Cemetery. Friends may call on Saturday from 9 a.m. until the time of services, all at the church.
Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Athens, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
Andy Fawley
Andy Fawley, 60, of Kronenwetter, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by his family on Monday, April 22, 2019. He had courageously battled colon cancer since December 2017.
Andy owned First Choice Plumbing & Heating for 27 years, after working previously for Gerald France Plumbing and Everson Plumbing of Rhinelander, Wisconsin. He loved working and helping people, resulting in strong relationships of trust and support that carried him through this most challenging year of uncertainty. His commitment to quality work left a mark on many, many homes, churches, camps and businesses in the area as well as in Rib Lake and Ogema.
Andy’s involvement with his children led him to be a Little League coach, and he faithfully drove the D.C. Everest Band Trailer across the country to parades and competitions for nine years. He enjoyed woodworking, building furniture and cabinets. Andy had the gift of hospitality, enjoyed cooking for a crowd, and was known for his fry bread and bar-b-que ribs on the grill at Lifest for the past 20 years. He was known by friends and family for his quick wit, his jokes and his incredibly large heart.
Andy was married for 41 years to Patty, who survives. They raised four children, Chris (Nakia) Fawley, Wausau, Beth (Kevin) Salmon, Saint Paul, Minnesota, Matt (Jami) Fawley, Saint Paul, Minnesota, Alissa (Matt) Rosenthal, Weston. He was the delight of eight grandchildren: Jillian, Lucas and Zeke (Chris), Henry and Ruthie (Beth), Daniel, Lillianna and Mason (Alissa), and Baby Nathan (Matt), who preceded him into heaven in January. Andy was also preceded by his father, Alvin (Zeke or Ike) Fawley; as well as maternal grandparents, Edward and Ethel (Fitzpatrick) Everson; and paternal grandparents, Chris and Yvonne (Baxter) Fawley.
Also surviving is Andy’s mother, Mable (Everson) Fawley of Schofield, Wisconsin; sister, Amanda (Mark) Johnson of Blaine, Minnesota; brother, Jay (Suzie) Fawley of Woodruff, Wisconsin; sister, Jeni (Brad) Main of Merrill, Wisconsin; as well as numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews and nieces.
Visitation and service will be held at Bethany Baptist Church, 6601 Alderson St., Schofield, WI 54476. Visitation is Friday, April 26, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. There will be a second visitation Saturday, April 27, beginning at 9 a.m. followed by a memorial service at 11 a.m.
You may sign the family guestbook at www.helke.com.
Troy Tourtillott
Troy Michael Tourtillott, 54, passed away Sunday, April 21, 2019, at home surrounded by his children, mother and step-father after his courageous battle against cancer.
He was born to Marie Salgado and LaVern C. Tourtillott Jr. on Jan. 21, 1965, in Milwaukee. Troy was a 1983 graduate of John Marshall High School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He also graduated from Milwaukee Area Technical College as a machinist. Troy practiced his trade as a machinist in Menomonee Falls, Mayville, Marion, Shawano and Green Bay.
Troy loved fishing and hunting on the Menominee Indian Reservation. His pride and joy were his children and grandchildren. He will be missed by his children Courtney Lynn ( Darwin Grignon) Tourtillott; Joseph Alex Tourtillott and Brooke Waukau; grandchildren Cameron and Raelynn Grignon; mother Marie (Ted) Salgado; sister Trina Jackson; brothers Todd Tourtillott; Tom (Terri) Tourtillott; aunts and uncles Betty Bowers; Fred Kasten; Pedro SanDiego; Judy (Chuck) Aldrian; Roger Kasten; Ester (Mike) Wiercinski; Renee (John) Stapley; Barbara (Steve Feathers) Tourtillott; Ronald (Nita) Tourtillott; Lyle (Yolando) Tourtillott; many special cousins, nieces, nephews and extended family.
He was preceded in death by and looked forward to his reunion with his father LaVern, son Alex, aunts Pearl Kasten, Ruth SanDiego, Jane Kasten, Suzanne Kasten and uncle John Bowers.
Funeral Services will be Friday, April 26, 2019, at 11 a.m. at St. Michael Church, N816 Highway 47\55, Keshena, with a meal and fellowship to following the service. Fr. Charles Hoffman will officiate. Visitation will be Thursday, April 25, 2019, from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Friday at the church. There will be a Rosary Service at 7 p.m. Thursday at the church.
The family would like to thank the Aurora BayCare Cancer Center for their compassion, guidance and support during Troy’s battle against pancreatic cancer.
Messages and memories can be written at helke.com in the guest book honoring Troy.
Thomas Suhr
Thomas Suhr, 78, of Marshfield passed away on Sunday, April 21, 2019, at Marshfield Clinic’s palliative care unit after a long illness. Tom was born on May 30, 1940, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Frank and Anne (Dalka) Suhr.
He was a 1958 graduate of Riverside High School in Milwaukee, where he was employed at Gimbels department store and was a member of the Milwaukee Fire Department. He later moved to Marshfield, Wisconsin, where he was a firefighter and later a police officer and detective before serving as police chief in the Wisconsin communities of Augusta and West Salem. He later served as the safety and security supervisor for Ace Hardware in La Crosse, Wisconsin, before returning to the Marshfield area.
Tom is survived by the love of his life, Barbara Suhr, four children, Mark Suhr of Mequon, Wisconsin, Jeff Suhr of Rosemount, Minnesota, Jim Suhr of Lenexa, Kansas, and Connie Westerman of Tomah, Wisconsin; a stepson, Todd Simpson, of La Crosse; eight grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, James Suhr; two sons, Thomas Suhr and Bradley Suhr; a stepson, Paul Simpson; and a grandson, Mitchell Suhr.
In honor of Tom’s wishes, his body has been cremated and no services are planned.
John J. Buettgen Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
