Obit: Meihack, Ronald George #2 (1929 - 2016)

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

Surnames: Meihack, Wetzel, Zank, Tavener, Wathke, Gilbert, Schmootz, Walk, Trunkel, Biebert

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 8/31/2016

Meihack, Ronald George (3 January 1929 - 25 August 2016) With Flag

Ronald Meihack, 87, of Neillsville died Thursday, Aug. 25, 2016, at the Neillsville Care and Rehabilitation Center.

Ronald George Meihack was born Jan. 3, 1929, in Marshfield, the son of George and Sarah (Wetzel) Meihack. He attended St. John’s Lutheran Grade School and Neillsville High School, where he was named the outstanding senior basketball player. He graduated in 1946.

After graduating, Ron, along with working, played for the Neillsville Green Hornets, a city basketball team. In December of 1950, Ronald enlisted into the United States Army. He was stationed Camp McCoy in Wisconsin, Fort Riley in Kansas, Camp Polk in Louisiana and Fort Sill in Oklahoma. He was honorably discharged in December of 1952.

Ron was united in marriage to Betty A. Zank June 9, 1956, whom he had met at a dance at the Silver Dome Ballroom. His career included working for the A&P Store, the American Stores and the Neillsville Milk Products before joining the Clark County Forestry and parks Department. He worked there for over 20 years before retiring in 1990. Along with working, Ron, Betty and family also owned and operated The Penguin root beer stand from 1964 to 1978. In retirement, he and Betty enjoyed traveling. They did a cruise to the Panama Canal and several cruises to Alaska.

Ron was a lifelong member of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Neillsville. He had a quirky sense of humor and was an avid sports fan that never missed his children’s school sporting events. He enjoyed watching the Wisconsin Badger football and basketball games and never missed a Green Bay Packer football game.

He is survived by his wife, Betty; three children: Scott (Coleen) Meihack of Jemez Springs, NM, Lori (Mark) Tavener of Incline Village, NV, and Lynn (Joseph) Wathke of Fall Creek; two grandchildren, Monica (Vince) Gilbert of Albuquerque, NM, and Allyssa Meihack of Reno, NV; one great-grandson, Brentyn Schmootz of Albuquerque, NM; a brother, Marvin (Patricia) Meihack of New Ulm, MN; a sister-in-law, Eileen Zank of Neillsville; two brothers-in-law: Bill (Sue) Zank of Neillsville and Richard (Marie) Zank of Red Wing, MN; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Ruby Meihack; two brothers in infancy; and a special cousin, Evelyn Walk.

A memorial service for Ronald will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 2, 2016 at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Neillsville, with visitation from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Pastor Timothy Biebert will officiate. Music will be provided by Judy Trunkel, organist. Military Honors will be performed by the Neillsville Veteran’s Council.

Online Condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com.  The Gesche Funeral Home is assisting Ronald’s family with funeral arrangements.