Obituaries are a service of Brainard Funeral Home, with locations in Wausau and Weston.
Blanch Noel
Blanch Noel, 84, Weston, passed away Thursday, July 18, 2019, at her home.
She was born on April 2, 1935, to the late Hager and Cassie (Salyers) Minix. Blanch came from a large family with five brothers and five sisters. She had two sons with Donovan Reynolds, Clyde and Jimmy.
In November 1978, she married Jerry Noel. Later in their marriage, they owned and operated Noel Cabinets in Merrill for six years, until his passing in 1991.
Blanch waitressed at several area restaurants throughout the years. She was the first waitress hired at Tri-City Family Restaurant when they opened, and worked there until she retired.
Blanch loved anything to do with the outdoors, especially fishing. She enjoyed a game of sheephead or cribbage, as well. She was an avid rummage-sale shopper, and loved to decorate her home, especially at Christmas time.
Blanch is survived by two sons, Clyde (Diane) Reynolds, and Jimmy (Nancy) Reynolds. She is further survived by five grandsons, Phillip Reynolds (Liz Huber), Shawn Reynolds (Laura Lewis), and Joshua Reynolds, Jeremia (Jamie) Reynolds, and Justin Reynolds. Blanch has two great grandsons, and one great granddaughter. We finally got a little girl in this family! She only has one surviving sister.
She was preceded in death by her parents and husband.
Funeral service will be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 25, 2019, at Brainard Funeral Home – Everest Chapel, 5712 Memorial Court, Weston. Rev. Joy Nelson-Jeffers will officiate. Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home.
Brainard Funeral Home – Everest Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be shared at www.brainardfuneral.com.
Jeanne Corbin
Jeanne Evelyn Corbin (nee Cone) passed away peacefully on July 20 in Wausau, Wisconsin, at age 93. She was born in 1926 in Wausau and was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Charles Henry Corbin.
She is survived by her sons Michael (Reisa), Tom (Jodie), and Kent and her daughter Patricia (Mike). She is also survived by her grandchildren Ashley, Christopher, Matthew and Nathan, as well as great grandchildren Wyatt, Kellijean, Skyler, Sofie, Campbell, Bennett, Eleanor and Josephine.
Jeanne was a long-time American Red Cross volunteer; parishioner of First Presbyterian Church, where she was a long-time member of the choir; and long-time member of Altrusa and the Wausau Women’s Club. She enjoyed summers at her cottage on Clear Lake in Tomahawk, Wisconsin; winters in Indian Rocks Beach, Florida; golf and bowling; evening cruises around the lake; art and music; jigsaw puzzles; and going out for Friday fish fries and ice cream.
She is remembered by her family as a teacher of values; a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother; a dedicated community service volunteer; a loyal friend; and a caring person with a great laugh.
She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.
Memorial services will be 2 p.m. Thursday, July 25, 2019, at First Presbyterian Church, 406 Grant St., Wausau. Rev. Joy Nelson-Jeffers will officiate.
Jeanne’s family thanks the staff of Sylvan Crossing on Evergreen for the wonderful care she received there.
Donations may be made to The Women’s Community, 3200 Hilltop Ave., Wausau, WI 54401.
Jack Sliwicki
Jack Sliwicki, 84, Aniwa, died Saturday July 20, 2019, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
Jack was born Feb. 25, 1935, in Shawano County, son of the late Michael and Anna (Goretski) Sliwicki. On Feb. 23, 1963, he married Beverly Kraemer in Wausau. She preceded him in death.
After graduating from Birnamwood High School in 1954, Jack served in the U.S. Army from 1956-1959, working in electronic maintenance. He was a member of the Schofield Veterans of Foreign Wars, The Man of Honor Society and Am Vets, for whom he served as commander for three years. Jack was proud to have participated in the Honor Flight to Washington, D.C.
Prior to his retirement, Jack had been employed as a truck driver for 20 years with Kraft Foods, then with Foreway Express for 18 years, as well as several other area businesses. After retirement, Jack did maintenance work at Cardiovascular Associates.
Through the years, Jack remained very active in several civic and government organizations. Among the many he was associated with were the Easton-Hewitt-Wausau Lions Club, the Easton Town Board, The Wisconsin Valley Fair Board, the Town of Easton Volunteer Fire Department, the Elks Lodge No. 248, Knights of Columbus, D.C. Everest Ag Advisory Board and FFA Alumni Board, Moose Lodge and the Wausau Noon Optimist Club. Jack also served as a 4-H Leader and on the PTA and enjoyed many years as a member of the Central Wisconsin Polka Club.
He was a life member of St. Florian Catholic Church, Hatley, and served on the building committee and as an usher. He traveled widely, visiting Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria and France, as well as many places in the USA. Among his favorite pastimes, he enjoyed hunting and fishing, polkas and country music. He also enjoyed bowling, card club, watching high school sports and the Packers, and he was known to have an exceptional green thumb. However, spending time with friends and family, especially his grandchildren and great grandson, was most special to Jack.
Survivors include his children, Barbara (Russell) Lambrecht, Ringle, Susan (John) Christensen, Ringle, and Anthony (Rainie) Sliwicki, Wausau, grandchildren, Jacklyn, Kaylee and Hanna Lambrecht and Jack and Karley Sliwicki; one great grandson, Sawyer Lambrecht, a daughter-in-law, Jenny (Corey) Pagel, Ringle, a special friend, Jan Pflieger, Wausau, his siblings, Ben (Ceil) Sliwicki, Wausau, Dolores (Richard) Ringwelski, Wausau, Floyd (Judy) Sliwicki, Kronenwetter, Beverly (Tom) Goetsch, Wausau; sister-in-law, Carol Sliwicki, Wausau.
Besides his parents and wife, Beverly, he was preceded in death by a son, Russell Sliwicki, a brother, Clarence Sliwicki and a nephew, Douglas Wasmundt.
The funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 25, 2019, at St. Florian Catholic Church, Hatley. Rev. Greg Bohren will preside. Burial will be in the parish cemetery, where full military honors will be conducted. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. at St. Florian Church. Visitation will continue on Thursday at 10 a.m. until the time of services at the church.
Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth St., Wausau, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
David “Dave” Priebe
David “Dave” Allen Priebe, 61, passed away July 19, 2019, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital after a short battle with pancreatic cancer.
Dave was born April 8, 1958, to the late Donald and Barbara (Shidell) Priebe in Wausau. He was married to Kathryn (Kubichek) in 1982. He graduated from D.C. Everest High School and was employed by Pieper Electric.
Dave enjoyed being with his family, loved the outdoors, hunting, fishing, camping and spending time up at “The Shack.”
Dave is survived by his wife, Kathy; daughter, Sarah Wells; son, Matt (Jill) Priebe; daughter, Jenny Priebe; son, Joe (Alyssa) Priebe; grandchildren, Cohen, Braden and Laila. He is further survived by brother, Dean (Michelle) Priebe; sister, Darla (Keith) Schulz; mother-in-law, Myrtle Kubichek; brothers-in-law, Steve (Barb) Kubichek and Dave (Deb) Kubichek; sisters-in-law, Kris Mehring (Jaimie Rice) and Kay (Tim) Spence; and many nieces and nephews.
Dave is preceded in death by a sister, Donna Tress, father-in-law, Milton Kubichek and brother and sister-in-law, Brian and Carla Kubichek.
The family would like to thank Dr. Haque and all the staff at Aspirus Cancer Center and hospital for their compassion and support.
Following Dave’s wishes, there will be a celebration of life for family and friends held at a later date.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
Louis “Lou” Santangelo
Louis “Lou” Anthony Santangelo passed away July 18, 2019, at Azura Memory Care in Wausau, Wisconsin, 17 months after a devastating stroke.
Born Jan. 10, 1945, in Youngstown, Ohio, Lou was the fourth of five children born to Louis and Grace (Ceremeli) Santangelo.
Lou graduated from Rayen High in Youngstown, earned a B.A. from Kent State, and an M.A. from the University of Minnesota-Duluth. He met his one and only girlfriend, Lynne Puttmann, during their Peace Corps training. They married Jan. 6, 1968, in Lima, Peru.
After serving two years in the Peace Corps, Lou began his teaching career at Wausau High School, transferring to Wausau West when it opened a year later. He cared deeply for his students and never stopped thinking of ways to help them learn to welcome diversity of thought and customs. He retired after 32 years of teaching Spanish.
Lou loved his family, his church, his community, and his work. He enjoyed telling stories, baking, working with wood, and taking photographs. He delighted in sharing his interests and skills with anyone.
Lou was proud of his Italian heritage.
A founder of Wausau’s Habitat for Humanity chapter, Lou also participated in the CROP Hunger walk from its inception and became one of its leaders. He chaired First English Lutheran’s Church in Society Committee for many years and advocated for ecumenical and interfaith collaboration through organizations including Faith in Action and N.A.O.M.I.
Lou was preceded in death by his parents and siblings Flora Cepin, Rita (Stanley) Bundza and Vincent Santangelo. He is survived by his wife and children Maria (Robert) Barrett, Dina (Charles) Mitchell, David (Tracy) Santangelo, and Robert Santangelo. Lou also is survived by grandchildren Deja Mitchell; Natalie, Louis, and Vanessa Barrett; and Grace and Joseph Santangelo. He is further survived by his sister Valerie (Paul) Golubic; sisters-in-law Sharon Puttmann (Lee Schmidt) and Lucille Santangelo; brothers-in-law Paul (Deb) Puttmann, and George Cepin; and many nieces, nephews, and godchildren.
A service of thanksgiving for Lou’s life will be held at First English Lutheran Church, Wausau, on Sunday, July 28, 2019. Visitation begins at 3 p.m. with the service starting at 5 p.m. Rev. Erik Olson will officiate. Helke Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements; you may sign our family guestbook at helke.com.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to International Rescue Committee’s Border Crisis Watch (International Rescue Committee P.O. Box 6068, Albert Lea, MN 56007-9847 or help.rescue.org/donate), Habitat for Humanity of Wausau (habitatwausau.org/), Heifer International (heifer.org/campaign/end-hunger-poverty-donation.html), or a local food pantry of your choice.
John Kasprak
John J. Kasprak, 86, of Hatley died on Saturday, July 20, 2019, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
He was born on Feb. 8, 1933, in Norrie, the son of the late Martin and Martha (Szews) Kasprak.
On Sept. 10, 1955, John was united in marriage to Rita Zillman at St. Ladislaus Catholic Church, Bevent. She preceded him in death on Feb. 27, 2016.
John was a United States Army Veteran, proudly serving during the Korean War. He was an active member of the Hatley American Legion and the Elderon Memorial Post Veterans of Foreign Wars.
John was employed by Drott/JI Case for 28 years until his retirement. After retirement, John enjoyed his hobby farm. He enjoyed both flower and vegetable gardening and fishing and hunting. John and Rita loved traveling and took many trips together. They also loved polka music and attended many church picnics. John was an active member of St. Florian’s Catholic Church and worked for many church picnics and other church functions. John had been a member of the Knights of Columbus in Rothschild, Hatley and was currently a member of the St. Isidore Council #5008, Tigerton.
Survivors include two sons, Allan (Dilene Sickler) Kasprak and Perry (Becky) Kasprak, all of Hatley; grandchildren, Jeremy (Darlene) Kasprak, Jessica (Craig) Ostrowski, Jordan (Ashley) Kasprak and Devan (Tenille Karl) Kasprak; great-grandchildren, Sierra Kasprak, Jayden, Kylie and Addison Ostrowski and Max and Reese Kasprak and a sister-in-law, Phyllis Kasprak.
John was preceded in death by his wife; parents; a brother, Earl and brother and sister-in-law, Ray and Mary Zillman.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 25, 2019, at St. Florian’s Catholic Church, Hatley. Fr. Gregory Bohren will officiate. Burial will be in the parish cemetery, with military rites conducted by the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. Visitation will be on Thursday from 3 p.m. until the time of Mass at the church.
Schmidt & Schulta Funeral Home, Wittenberg is assisting the family with funeral arrangements. Memories and condolences may be shared at schmidtschulta.com.
