1

Obit: Blackdeer, Clifford (1917 - 1985)

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

Surnames: Blackdeer, Wallace

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 2/14/1985

Blackdeer, Clifford (18 May 1917 – 6 February 1985) With Flag

Winnebago funeral services were held on Friday, February 8, for Clifford Blackdeer of the Town of Levis. Blackdeer, 67, was pronounced dead on arrival at Neillsville Memorial Hospital on Wednesday morning, February 6.

Friends and family gathered on Thursday evening, February 7, at the Wilbur Blackdeer home, rural Black River Falls, for the visitation. Services were held the next day at the Blackdeer Homestead Cemetery near Black River Falls. The Gesche Funeral Home of Neillsville was in charge of arrangements.

The deceased was born in Clark County on May 18, 1917, to Harold and Nellie (Wallace) Blackdeer. He received his education at Dells Dam and at the Winnebago Indian School in Neillsville. He then worked in the Neillsville area until entering the U.S. Army in 1940.

Blackdeer’s stint in the military continued from October 14, 1940, through February of 1947. As a corporal, he served in the Pacific theatre and received many service medals and awards.

After the service, Blackdeer returned to the Neillsville area where he worked for many years as a road construction company ruck driver. He later was employed at the John Deere plant at Waterloo, Iowa, for several years. He had been retired for the past several years.

Blackdeer was active in the Foster Grandparents Program and also in promoting and maintaining Indian traditions and values. He was a member of the Andrew Blackdeer American Legion Post. He was married, but later separated from his wife.

Surviving him are six sons and four daughters. They are joined by three brothers, Wilbur, Wallace and Irvin, all of Black River Falls area; and three grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, a son, two sisters and four brothers.

2

Obit: Gergen, Theron V. (? - 1985)

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

Surnames: Gergen, Hightower, Sisk, Joslin, Ressel, Baker, Pamperin, Sanderson

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 2/7/1985

Gergen, Theron V. (? – 17 January 1985) With Flag

Neillsville native Theron V. Gergen, 52, died in Marathon, Texas, on January 17.

Gergen, a retired command sergeant major in the U.S. Army, was born in Neillsville and attended elementary and high schools here. He joined the U.S. Army in 1950.

He was buried with full military honors at Springfield, Missouri, National Cemetery on January 25.

Survivors include his wife, Jewell; two daughters, Karen Hightower of Copperas Cove, Texas, and Mrs. Sally Sisk of Hopkinsville, Kentucky; and two step-children, Mrs. Robin Joslin of Germany and Joseph Ressel of California. Joining them are three sisters, Arleen Baker of Tucson, Arizona, Thane Pamperin of Sylvania, Ohio, and Janis Sanderson of Tucson; and seven grandchildren.

3

Obit: Haines, Lois (1912 - 1985)

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

Surnames: Haines, Boofer, Shultz, Ehlers, Black, Hodges, Tichauser, Kapfer, Field, Anding, Musil, Ott

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 2/7/1985

Haines, Lois (14 May 1912 – 31 January 1985)

Funeral services were held on Monday afternoon, February 4, for Mrs. Roland (Lois) Haines, 72, of 37 Huron Street, Neillsville. She died in the emergency room of Neillsville Memorial Hospital on Thursday evening, January 31.

The deceased was born on May 14, 1912, in Union, Iowa, to Roy and Maggie (Boofer) Shultz. She received her education in Iowa schools and then moved with her parents to the Neillsville area in 1927. In 1930, she married William Ehlers in Neillsville ceremonies, and the couple made their home in Marshfield. There she worked for Jimmy’s Café for 19 years. The deceased and Mr. Ehlers were later divorced.

In December of 1971, she married Roland C. Haines in Ishpeming, Michigan, ceremonies. The couple lived in that city for 19 years. About two years ago they moved to Neillsville.

Surviving her, besides her husband, is a son, Robert Ehlers, Edwardsville, Illinois; two daughters, Mrs. Ed (Janice) Black of Richlands, North Carolina, and Mrs. James (Judith) Hodges of Ishpeming; a stepson, Roland Haines, Manawa; a stepdaughter, Mrs. Gary (Gloria) Tichauser, Caroline; two sisters, Elsie Kapfer of Neillsville and Mrs. Bert (Mildred) Field of Rudd, Iowa; 17 grandchildren; and six great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a brother, Claude; and two sisters, Thelma and Margaret.

The Rev. Howard Ott of the Neillsville United Methodist Church officiated at the funeral service held at the Gesche Funeral Home in Neillsville. Burial was made in the Neillsville City Cemetery. Loir Anding and Iris Musil offered music for the service. Pallbearers were relatives.

4

Obit: Halle, Roman Peter (1923 - 1984)

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

Surnames: Halle, Ehlenbeck, Politano, Noah, Turner, Shaw, Jones, Ebbe, Allen, Galbreath

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 2/7/1985

Halle, Roman Peter (11 June 1923 – 15 December 1984)

A former Neillsville resident, Roman Peter Halle, 61, died December 15 in a Long Beach, California, hospital after a battle with cancer. The burial was made in a Culver City, California, cemetery.

The deceased was born near Christie on June 11, 1923, to Hugo and Amelia (Ehlenbeck) Halle. He began his early education in the Neillsville area and completed high school and college in Los Angeles area. He worked for McDonnel-Douglas Aircraft for 39 years, where he was a supervisor of the planning department.

He was married on December 2, 1950, to Mary Politano of Culver City. Other survivors include two daughters, Mrs. Dean (Karen) Noah and Mrs. Craig (Patricia) Turner, both of Reseda, California; and three grandchildren. Joining the survivors are two brothers, Oscar of Noblesville, Indiana, and Arnold of Neillsville, and five sisters, Mrs. Ray (Anita) Shaw of Marshfield, Mrs. Ed (Frieda) Jones and Mrs. Jack (Martha) Ebbe, both of Santa Monica, California, Mrs. Bob (Adella) Allen of La Canada, California, and Mrs. Bob (Mildred) Galbreath of Neillsville.

5

Obit: Marg, William F. (? - 1985)

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

Surnames: Marg, Dobbratz, Uttech, Kauffeld

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 2/14/1985

Marg, William F. (? - 4 February 1985)

William F. Marg, 89, Watertown died on February 4, in Watertown.

Mr. Marg was born in Neillsville to August and Bertha Marg. On April 5, 1920, he married Frieda Dobbratz in Watertown ceremonies.

Surviving him, besides his wife, is a daughter, Mrs. Ray (Irene) Uttech, Watertown; two sons, Everett of Oshkosh and La Vern of Watertown; nine grandchildren; and 18 great grandchildren. Joining them are two brothers, Albert and Fred Marg, both of the Neillsville area. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Mildred; a great grandson; four sisters; and five brothers.

Funeral services were held on February 7, from St. John’s Lutheran Church in Watertown with the Rev. Eugene Kauffeld officiating. Burial was made in the church cemetery.

6

Obit: Mayer, Gertrude L. (1906 - 1985)

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

Surnames: Mayer, McMahon, Gorst, Pomasl, Duffenbach, Roseen, Henseler

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 2/14/1985

Mayer, Gertrude L. (24 November 1906 - 5 February 1985)

Gertrude L. Mayer, 78, formerly of Humbird, passed away Tuesday afternoon, February 5, at the Osseo Area Nursing Home.

Gertrude Mayer, daughter of Gregory and Rose (McMahon) Gorst was born November 24, 1906, near Mount Horeb. As a child she attended school in Fairchild and graduated from the Fairchild High School. She was united in marriage to Herman Mayer on April 20, 1929, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Fairview. The couple farmed in the Humbird area all their married life.

On September 29, 1927, Gertrude finished nurses training at the Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire and worked as a registered nurse from 1927 until 1941. She moved to Augusta in 1978 and then to the Fairchild Nursing Home in 1983. Since December of 1984 she had been a resident of the Osseo Area Nursing Home.

She was preceded in death by her husband on February 21, 1975. She is survived by two sons, Gerald of Hebron, Indiana, Donald of Balsam Lake; two daughters, Rosemary Pomasl of Wausau, Carol Duffenbach of Eau Claire; two brothers, Robert Gorst of Clermont, Florida, and Vincent Gorst of Granton; and three sisters, Sister M. Roseen, O.S.F. of Stanley, Dorothy Gorst of Garden City, Kansas, and Iona Gorst of Mazomanie. They are joined by six grandchildren, two great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held Friday, February 8, from St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Fairview with Father Joseph Henseler of Neillsville officiating. Burial was made in the church cemetery. The Anderson Funeral Home in Augusta was in charge of arrangements.

7

Obit: Phillips, Herbert D. (1906 - 1985)

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

Surnames: Phillips, Johnson, Manthei

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 2/7/1985

Phillips, Herbert D. (19 October 1906 – 1 February 1985)

Humbird native Herbert D. Phillips, 78, died in a Janesville nursing home on February 1. Phillips made his residence in Janesville for many years, where he was employed at the General Motors plant. He retired in 1965.

The deceased was born on October 19, 1906, in Humbird to Mr. and Mrs. William Phillips. On May 15, 1929, he married Ruth Johnson; she died in December of 1978.

Surviving him is a brother, William, Eau Claire; a sister, Edna Manthei, Brooksville, Florida; a granddaughter; and a great granddaughter. He was preceded in death by a son, Harold.

The Overton Funeral Home of Janesville was in charge of arrangements. Burial was made in the Town of Mentor Cemetery, rural Humbird.

8

Obit: Stark, Heinz J. (1906 - 1985)

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

Surnames: Stark, Schraeder, Luck, Porm, McCuy, Jensema, Jansen

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 2/7/1985

Stark, Heinz J. (17 May 1906 – 27 January 1985)

Heinz J. Stark, 78 of Rt. 1, Greenwood, died after a lingering illness on Sunday, January 27, in St. Joseph’s Hospital, Marshfield. He had been a patient there since December 20.

He was born on May 17, 1906, in Kiel, Germany, to Richard and Emma (Schroeder) Stark. He received his education in German schools and later was with the German Naval Maritime Service. He also later worked as a mason.

He married Frieda Luck on December 3, 1927, in Kiel, Germany. They came to the United States in 1928, settling in Chicago. He was a stationary engineer in heating, air conditioning and maintenance. He retired in 1968 and moved to the Town of Weston, living there since. He was a former member of the Masonic Lodge of Loyal and Local 399, of the Heating, Air Conditioning and Maintenance Engineers of Chicago.

Surviving him are his wife, two daughters, Mrs. William H. (Mildred) Porm of Crystal Lake, Illinois and Mrs. Auburn (Dorothy) McCuy of New Baden, Illinois; ten grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. He was predeceased by a son, Heinz and a brother.

Memorial services were held January 29, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Marshfield with the Rev. Ronald A. Jansen officiating. Bruce A. Jensema was the organist. Burial was in the Chapel Hill Gardens Cemetery at South Oak Lawn, Illinois. The Rembs-Kundinger Chapel of Marshfield was in charge of arrangements.

9

Obit: Steinmetz, Yvonne A. (1954 - 1985)

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

Surnames: Steinmetz, Trybula, Fitzl, Frank, Niedzwiecki, Spaeth, Hackmann, Bruckschlager, Tobola, Seichter, Puerner

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 2/7/1985

Steinmetz, Yvonne A. (20 August 1954 – 28 January 1985)

Yvonne A. Steinmetz, 30, of Rt. 1 Thorp, died in St. Joseph’s Hospital in Marshfield on Monday, January 28, following a long illness.

The deceased was born in Neillsville on August 20, 1954, to Frank and Agnes Trybula of rural Neillsville. On October 2, 1976, she married Randy Steinmetz. The couple lived and farmed in the Town of Reseburg since that time.

Surviving her besides her parents and husband, are three brothers, Francis of Granton and Joseph and Gerald, both of Neillsville; and three sisters, Joyce Fitzl of Willard, Peggy Frank of Eau Claire and Rebecca Niedzwiecki of Thorp. She was preceded in death by two infant sisters.

Funeral services were held on Friday morning, February 1, from St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Thorp with the Rev. John Puerner officiating. Burial was made in the parish cemetery. Pallbearers were Bob Spaeth, Dwight Hackmann, Harry Bruckschlager, Rich Tobola, Bob Trybula and Ray Seichter.

10

Obit: Trunkel, James Jacob (1985 - 1985)

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

Surnames: Trunkel, Lescynski

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 2/7/1985

Trunkel, James Jacob (19 January 1985 - 31 January1985)

Private graveside services were held on Saturday, February 2, at Holy Family Cemetery in Willard for James Jacob Trunkel, 13-day-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Trunkel, Rt. 1 Willard.

The child died at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Marshfield, where he was admitted January 19.

The Rev. James J. Lescynski of Holy Family officiated. The Rinka Funeral Home in Greenwood was in charge of arrangements.