On Sept. 13, Dave Sherfinski of Merrill was one of just four selected to be inducted for 2014 to the Wisconsin State Eagles Club Hall of Fame in Madison. Sherfinski was nominated by the Merrill Eagles Club Aerie #584 in 2011 and was chosen for induction by a selection committee appointed at the State Eagles Club Convention.
During the induction ceremony, Aerie President and close friend to Dave, Bryan Plautz spoke on Sherfinski’s behalf.
“It is an honor for me tonight to present Dave ‘Wiz’ Sherfinski as the next enshrine into the Wisconsin Eagles Club Hall of Fame,” Plautz stated.
Dave has been a member of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles for 35 years. He served as an aerie trustee for 3 terms, and has also served as membership chairman for 10 years and has served on numerous committees, aerie fundraisers and social events during those years.
“Throughout his years as an Eagle member and a local businessman in the Merrill/Wausau areas, he would volunteer to help anyone, when someone asked,” Plautz said. “At one time, Dave was asked by past Worthy President Dennis ‘Boomer’ Graap, if he would be interested in helping build a baseball diamond for the kids. Of course Dave said yes. He physically built three of the ball diamonds using his own personal equipment which included a backhoe and Caterpillar. He volunteered his time for this on weekends and evenings. He did as an Eagle member and the Eagles received recognition for this from the baseball association.”
Other key accomplishments in Sherfinski’s 35 years of Eagles membership include chairing the first ever “Boomer’s Memorial Raffle” in memory of Graap. The concept had been derived between Graap and Sherfinski prior to Graap’s death, as a means of raising funds for charities. In its inaugural event, $4,000 was raised. Sherfinksi has continued to sponsor the event for the last 17 years. The event has raised over $62,000.
In 2009, Dave helped start the Merrill Aerie 584’s first golf tournament which raised over $1,300 for charities. The event is now in its 5th year and continues to be successful raising money for local and state charities.
Dave has also volunteered for various Eagle functions which included such duties as potato peeler, pancake flopper, chicken flopper, steak flopper, bartender and repairman to name just a few,
‘’The Merrill Eagles Club has been very fortunate to have Dave as a member of the Eagles Club Organization,” Plautz added in closing. “His commitment to all aspects of his life has been an asset to the Eagles and the City of Merrill.”