Roger W. Zuelsdorff, 81, of Merrill, died Sunday, Dec. 5, 2010, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
Roger was born Aug. 23, 1929, in Merrill, son of the late Elmer and Helen (Weckwerth) Zuelsdorff. He married Phyllis Hintze on Sept. 19, 1953, in Merrill. She survives.
Roger enlisted in the United States Army on Jan. 11, 1951, in Milwaukee, during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged as a Corporal on Jan. 12, 1953, in Ft. Sheridan, IL. While in the service, Roger played on Army’s baseball, basketball, and bowling teams stateside. After the service, Roger continued his involvement with athletics. He played baseball on the Merrill Rangers, beginning as a teenager. He was very active with the Merrill Little League as his sons were growing up. He served one season as coach of the Merrill Legion Baseball team. Roger was a member of the Merrill Silver “M” Club, and had also earned his Golden “M”. He was an inductee of the Merrill Bowling Hall of Fame, and was one of six original inductee’s in the Merrill Baseball Hall of Fame in the spring of 2010. Roger remained an avid fan of the Packers, Brewers, Badgers, and Bucks. Roger also served his community as a member of the Merrill Area Public Schools Board of Education from 1969-1978, and served as board president from 1975-1978.
Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Phyllis Zuelsdorff, of Merrill; son, John Zuelsdorff, of Merrill; grandchildren, Michael, Gera, Luke, and Tom, all of Merrill; brother, James (Shirley) Zuelsdorff, of Merrill; and daughter-in-law, Becky Zuelsdorff, of Merrill. Roger was preceded in death by sons, Paul, Mark, and Keith.
The funeral service will be at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 8, at St. John Lutheran Church, Merrill. The Rev. David Szeto will officiate. Burial will take place in Merrill Memorial Park with Military Rites conducted by V.F.W. Post 1638, Merrill. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the church. The Taylor-Stine Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Online condolences may be made at www.taylorstinefuneralhome.com.