Willard 'Willie' Vertz

Willard ‘Willie’ Vertz, 75, of the Town of Pine River, Lincoln County, passed away Saturday, October 1, 2016 at Ministry Good Samaritan Health Center, Merrill. Willie was born April 16, 1941 son of the late Walter and Kathryn (LaVassor) Vertz. He married Arlene M. Ponshock on January 21, 1984. She survives. Willie was a hard worker starting as a young boy: From working on the family farm to working many years at Brittenham Potato Farm as well as other potato farms to his last job of 23 years at Cequent Trailer Products in Mosinee ending in 2009. He was a member of St. Stephen’s United Church of Christ, Merrill. Willie enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping and feeding the deer and watching them in the backyard. He loved taking pontoon rides and taking the kids and grandkids waterskiing and tubing. He loved visiting with family and going on road trips. Willie was also an avid softball player, and he enjoyed umping the games. He was also involved in managing the women’s softball teams in which he led them to first place finishes. Willie enjoyed watching the Chicago Cubs and Chicago Bears. He especially enjoyed visiting Wrigley Field to cheer on the Cubs. Willie loved his cigars and campfires. He was a jokester and enjoyed making people laugh. Survivors include his wife of 32 years, Arlene Vertz of Pine River; four daughters, Cindy Vertz of Merrill, Sue Vertz of Antigo, Janice (Brad) Graap of Merrill and Linda (Bryan) Yingling of Merrill; nine grandchildren, Kyle, Cyjay, Cassie, Rachel, Jesse, Devon, Miah, Hailey and Hunter; two great-grandchildren, Damian and Mariyea; five sisters, Edith Andersen of Antigo, Joanne (Dennis) Sutte of Polar, Sally Mueller of Le Sueur, Minnesota, Joyce Sense of Appleton and Sharon Short of Georgia; three brothers, Delbert (Illa) Vertz of Antigo, Ervin Vertz of Polar and Dale (Cindy) Demmin of Denmark, WI; and one sister-in-law, Bonnie Vertz. Willie is also survived by his mother-in-law, Marion Ponshock of Antigo; Arlene’s siblings, David (Mary) Ponshock, Joanne (Walter) Sczygelski, Raymond (Kaye) Ponshock, Danny Ponshock, Mike Ponshock, Darlene (Dennis Jr.) Sutte, Debbie (Jay) Darling and Brian (Ron Carley) Ponshock; many nieces and nephews; and his special friend, Rich Krause. Willie was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Kathryn Vertz; two sisters, Charlotte Vertz and Carol Hintt; two brothers, Wally Vertz and Alfred Vertz; and two brothers-in-law, Robert Mueller and Sonny Andersen. The funeral service will be held at 1:00 P.M. Saturday, October 8, 2016 at the Taylor-Stine Funeral Home, Merrill. Deacon Linda Schmidt will officiate. Visitation will be from 4:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. Friday and after 12:00 P.M., Noon, Saturday all at the funeral home. Online condolences may be made at www.taylorstinefuneralhome.com