Forest Bartz, of Antigo, died Wednesday, December 28, 2011 at Eastview Medical & Rehabilitation Center. He was 85 years old. He was born on September 11, 1926 in Neva, a son of Albert and Matilda (Rusch) Bartz. He married Dorothy Cernoch on April 15, 1950 at St. Matthews Lutheran Church in Deerbrook. She survives.
He graduated from Gillis Graded School. Mr. Bartz served in the United States Army as a radio operator and was released early to help on the family farm. He was employed by Antigo Co-op Oil for 42 years hauling fuel to the area farms. He was a charter member of Antigo Co-op Credit Union, now known as CoVantage Credit Union. He was on the board of directors since its inception in 1952 and served on the board until 2000. He served as board secretary from 1953 until 2000. He also served on the Antigo City Council from 1975 until 1986 and on the Langlade County Board of Supervisors from 1989 until 1996.
He was a member of Peace Lutheran Church, serving as an usher, a past secretary and member of the finance committee.
He enjoyed playing, coaching and umpiring baseball. He played baseball for Deerbrook for a number of years and for a short period he played for Kemspter in the County league and for the Antigo Candies. He coached little league and senior league. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and vacationing at an area lake.
In addition to his wife survivors include two daughters, Cheryl Krajewski, Green Bay and Pamela (Bryan) Zehrt, Solon, Iowa; two sons, Keith Bartz, Wausau and Michael (Deb) Bartz, Clinton; nine grandchildren, Ryan Krajewski, Pat Hanson , Mark (Tabatha) Bartz, Michael Jr. Bartz, Jamie (Luke) Lotto, Jenny (Tom) Patten, Ben Zehrt, Leah Zehrt and Kara Bartz; three step-grandchildren, Amanda, Rob and Tonya Hasse; seven great- grandchildren, Faith, Tim, Kyle, Madelyn, Brett, Lindsey and Kiersten; step-great grandchildren; and a sister-in-law, Margaret Bartz, Antigo. He is also survived by his wife's family, Marion Yingling, Greendale, Betty Doucette, Antigo and Winfred (Aggie) Cernoch, Antigo.
He was preceded in death by a son-in-law, Larry Krajewski; a brother, Cyril Bartz; a sister, Isabelle (Ralph) Hemke; brothers-in-law, Norvel, James, Merton, Robert (Marie), Dale (Virginia) Cernoch and Gerald Doucette; and a sister-in-law, Evelyn Wells.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday at 11 a.m. at Peace Lutheran Church with Rev. Scott Kruse officiating. Burial will take place in Elmwood Cemetery with Antigo veterans conducting military rites. Visitation will be 4 - 8 p.m. on Friday at the Bradley Funeral Home and 10 - 11 a.m. on Saturday at Peace Lutheran Church.
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Antigo, WI 54409
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Antigo, Wisconsin 54409
Am so sorry to hear of Forset Passing Dorothy and family. Am sure he will be missed by all.
Keep the memories alive.
Bette S Sprayberry....(nee Kryka)
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Bartz's - we are so sorry for the loss of Mr. Bartz. I fondly remember him from the baseball community and our neighbor from my childhood.
I was a great blessing for me and my family to know such a wonderful person as Forest. I have many fond memories of Deerbrook baseball Forest umpiring the games. I'm positive that he has found peace and happiness in heaven.
The world was a better place with you in it. Love you, Grandpa. We are sure going to miss you.
Ryan, Mark,Mike;
I am sorry for the loss of your grandfather. He always had a smile, no matter how bad he was feeling! He had a way of making people feel like they were more important than he was.
I played baseball with Forest (1950) on the Deerbrook team. He was a real gentleman and hard worker. I have been out East in NJ for the last 45 years and have lost contact with him. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
I will remember Forest as one of the most caring business man I've ever met. Very smart and knew how to get the job done, thinking more of the Members than the profit. A devoted husband with a loving wife that stood by him through the good times and the tough times. He will be missed dearly. He surely leaves behind a legacy of kindness.
We will picture Forest and Dorothy dancing in our memories. The latest memory is a wonderful greeting he gave at Peace Lutheran Church. He will be missed. God be with you Dorothy until the reunion in heaven.
We remember Forest and Dorthy coming into our restaurant in Polar and joining us on some of our motorcoach trips and what a joy it was to have them along. Forest always had a joke or two to tell to keep us laughing. To say that Forest was a "neat guy" is an understatement. Antigo's loss is the Lords gain.
Dorothy and family..We ask God to give you the peace that surpasses all understanding. May God be with you in this difficult time.
God Bless!!
Ralph & Mary Schwartz
(Schwartz's Country Inn..Polar)
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