Obit: Mechelke, Warren August “Duke” #2 (1927 - 2016)

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

Surnames: Mechelke Potter, Burgess, Becker, Miller, LaGasse, Nelson, Ambelang, Applegate, Molitor, Wojcik, Schmidt, Beckett, Wawrzyniak, Hamilton, Paul, Watson, Pennington, Roe

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

Mechelke, Warren August “Duke” (29 September 1927 - 23 August 2016)

Warren A. “Duke” Mechelke, 88, of Loyal died Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2016, at Ministry St. Joseph’s hospital in Marshfield.

Warren August Mechelke was born Sept. 29, 1927, in Mansfield, OH, to August and Luella (Potter) Mechelke. When he was a young boy, his family moved to Ladysmith, where he was raised and received his education. At the age of eight, Duke began working for a farmer in Ladysmith, and at the age of 13, he began hauling canned milk.

He was united in marriage to Violet Burgess June 30, 1948, at the Methodist Church in Ladysmith. Duke worked at Grow Cheese Factory in Ladysmith as a mechanic and hauled milk. They moved to Olympia, WA, where he worked for a farmer for one year. The then returned to Ladysmith, and Duke worked as a mechanic for Robinson’s Ford and started farming. In September of 1958, they moved to Loyal, where they purchased a farm and raised their family. While farming Duke also hauled milk for Schlinsog Dairy and was the Town of York patrolman. After retiring, he and his wife, Vi, cleaned Citizens State Bank in Loyal.

He continued to live on the farm until being hospitalized in January 2014. Duke spent a short time at House of the Dove and then entered Miller Alternative Care in Marshfield, where he resided until his death.

He was a member of York Center United Methodist Church, where he served on the church council and was the bell ringer for many years, and was a member of the Circle 8 Square Dancers. He had many interests, but especially loved cows, horses, dogs, square dancing, hunting and feeding and watching the birds.

Duke will be dearly missed by his children: Bonnie (Jerome) Becker of Marshfield, Jack (Barbara) Mechelke of Loyal, Arlene (Marvin) Miller of Loyal, and James Mechelke (Dawn LaGasse) of Loyal; eight grandchildren Doug Becker, Karen (Shannon) Nelson, Kim Ambelang, Amy Mechelke, Jason (Katie) Mechelke, Jodi Applegate, Corey (Nick) Miller and Shawn Miller (fiancé Mary Molitor); 10 great-grandchildren; Alyssa, Brooklyn, Rendon, Ridge, Desirae, Teanna, Sawyer, Veda, Violet and Vaida; his step-mother, Della Wojcik of Ladysmith; three sisters: June Schmidt of Grants Pass, OR, Rose Beckett of Ladysmith and Pat (Ernie) Wawrzyniak of South Bend, IN; six brothers: Richie Mechelke of Bruce, Len Mechelke of Cadott, Bruce (Penny) Shackleton of Hayward, Fran (Mary) Mechelke of Ladysmith, Billy (Doreen) Mechelke of Rice Lake and Bob (Karen) Mechelke of Gilman; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Violet, May 1, 2013; one grandson, Luke Miller; one brother, Willard Mechelke; and four sisters: Evelyn Hamilton, Betty Paul, Mae Watson and Joyce Pennington.

Funeral services were held Monday, Aug. 29, 2016, at the York Center Methodist Church with visitation from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service. Rev. Patsy Roe officiated. Burial followed in the church cemetery. Pallbearers were his grandchildren: Doug Becker, Karen Nelson, Kim Ambelang, Amy Mechelke, Jason Mechelke, Jodi Applegate, Corey Miller and Shawn Miller.

Duke’s family would like to thank the staff at House of the Dove and Miller Alternative Care for the care and compassion shown to him and the family during his stay there.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.cuddiefh.com.  Cuddie Funeral home of Loyal is assisting the family with arrangements.