Ben Hoerman, a longtime Antigo resident, died Sunday, November 2, 2014 at the Wisconsin Veterans Home, King, Wisconsin where he has resided since January. He was 82 years old. He was born on September 2, 1932 in the town of Ackley, a son of Carl and Clara (Brich) Hoerman. He married Barbara McKinnon on May 17, 1958 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Antigo. She survives and resides at King.

Mr. Hoerman grew up on the home farm one of 12 children. He worked on the family farm and for Guethner Potatoes. He served in the United States Army from February 12, 1953 to February 2, 1955. He attained the rank of corporal in Battalion 8235 and was stationed in Tokyo.

After service he returned to Antigo where he worked as a cheese makers assistant at Kraft Foods in Antigo from 1959-1993.

After retirement from Kraft Foods Mr. Hoerman worked for the City of Antigo Cemetery, Parks and Recreation Department for 15 years. He was a volunteer driver for veterans, making many trips to the VA hospitals and clinics in Iron Mountain, Michigan, Milwaukee and Madison.

Mr. Hoerman was a member of SS Mary & Hyacinth Catholic Church, the Msgr. Conrad Saile Knights of Columbus Council 1002 and Msgr. Conrad Saile Knights of Columbus Assembly 1214 Fourth Degree, the Leland Tollefson Veterans of Foreign War Post #2653, the Paul Marmes Disabled American Veterans Chapter 23, and the Sparks-Doernenberg American Legion Post #3 all in Antigo.

In his spare time Ben enjoyed the VFW horseshoe league for many years and was an avid Packer fan. He loved deer hunting at "the cabin" with his brothers and friends and enjoyed fishing, getting together with the Kraft retirees and eating out at Two Angels and Trucks Place. He will be remembered by many as the raffle man who always had raffle tickets to peddle for a worthy cause.
Survivors including his wife are a son Marty Hoerman and special friend Rhonda Witte of Neillsville; grand-daughter Christy Viergutz, Rhinelander; a son-in-law Richard Viergutz, Antigo; two brothers, Carl (Eleanor) Hoerman, Jr., Antigo, Robert (Ann) Hoerman, Antigo; three sisters, LaVerne Hohensee, Antigo, Phyllis Bula, Antigo, Marie Gesell, Antigo; two sisters in law, Judy Hoerman, Green Bay and Geraldine Hoerman, Antigo; two brothers-in-law, Ellsworth Schumitsch and Charles Stengl both of Antigo; many nieces nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter, Margaret Viergutz; a grandchild, Kenneth Robinson; two sisters Marilyn Stengl and Doris Schumitsch; four brothers Edward (Donna), Eugene (Jean), Dale, and Richard Hoerman; a sister in law Donna Hoerman; brothers-in-law Bernard Hohensee, Richard Gesell; his wife's parents John and Mildred McKinnon and a sister-in-law Jacquelyn Beckman.

A funeral Mass will be held on Friday at 10:30 a.m. at SS Mary & Hyacinth Catholic Church with Rev. Jeremiah Worman officiating. Entombment will take place in Queen of Peace Cemetery Mausoleum where the Antigo Veterans will conduct military rites. Visitation will be 4 - 8 p.m. on Thursday at the Bradley Funeral Home and 9 - 10 a.m. on Friday also at the funeral home.

On Thursday a parish wake service will be held at 4:30 p.m., the Knights of Columbus will recite the rosary at 6:30 p.m. and the Antigo Veterans will stand honor guard from 7 - 7:30 p.m., all at the funeral home.

Services