Obit: Dahlke, Billy John (1946 – 2015)

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Dahlke, Lucas, Gassen

Source: Marshfield News Herald (Marshfield, WI) 08 Dec 2015

Dahlke, Billy John (29 JAN 1946 – 5 DEC 2015)

Billy John Dahlke, age 69, of Granton, WI died on Saturday, December 5, 2015 at the House of the Dove in Marshfield, WI.

Billy was born on January 29, 1946 at the Neillsville Hospital the son of Henry and Adeline (Lucas) Dahlke. He attended elementary school in the town of Lynn and graduated from Granton High School in 1964. While still in high school he joined the National Guard and began working at Lynn Dairy. After graduation he went to Madison to obtain his Cheesemaker's license. He served in the Guard from 1964 to 1967. He was united in marriage to Valerie A. Gassen at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Neillsville. After obtaining his cheesemaker's license, Billy worked for Lynn Dairy and he ran cheese factories in Nasonville and Shiocton. In December of 1976 they purchased a bar from Pasciak's, which they operated until 1999 as the Gin Mill and Peddler's Pub. During that time, they also owned the Silver Dollar Bar in Granton, which they sold in 1981 and they owned the Chili IGA for a year and a half. To offset the cost of pumping his business's septic system, Bill, began BJ Septic, which he still currently owned.

Bill was a member of the Chili Fire Department and the Chili Lion's Club. His passion was old cars and his first car was a GTO.

He is survived by his wife, Val, two daughters, Chris and Dawn Dahlke both of Granton, a brother, Robert (Evie) Dahlke of Lac Du Flambeau, WI, an Aunt, Alice Lucas of Florida and an Uncle, Edwin (Rosemary) Lucas of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Bill is also survived by many nieces and nephews and extended family.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, James.

A Memorial Service for Billy will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, December 11, 2015 at the Gesche Funeral Home in Neillsville. Military Honors will be performed by the Neillsvillle Veteran's Council. Visitation will be from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m., Friday at the Gesche Funeral Home. Following the service, a celebration of life will be held at the Community Center in Granton, WI.

Honorary Casket Bearers are: Eric Pasciak, Ross Roehl, Rollin Opelt, Rich Pongratz, Dave Brietzman and Vic Lucas.

Online Condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com. 

The Gesche Funeral Home is assisting Billy's family with Funeral arrangements.