Earl William Damitz of Antigo, died Sunday, January 15, 2012 at Bohlman Manor in Birnamwood. He was 94 years old. He was born on June 2, 1917 in Town of Harrison, a son of the late Joseph and Elfreida (Schremp) Damitz. He married Clara Guenther on September 7, 1943 at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Aniwa. She preceded him in death on December 5, 1995.

He served in the United States Army during WWII from June 19, 1941 until June 16, 1945. He served in the European Theater and Normandy Campaign. He was a purple heart recipient.

Before WWII he worked in Logging camps in northern Wisconsin and Michigan's upper peninsula. After the war he worked in Milwaukee for 2 years. He was a dairy farmer initially in Ackley then near Aniwa until 1978 and then began crop farming until 2008 when he moved into Antigo. For the last several years he lived with the care of the loving staff at Bohlman Manor in Birnamwood.

He loved and lived to hunt, fish, work in the woods, and his dogs, especially his last one, Happy. In his later years he enjoyed reading history and biographies. He became very faithful to praying the rosary daily.

Survivors include three daughters, Rosemary (James Sr.) Schroeder of Wausau, Carol (Robert) Wagner of Antigo, Joan (Todd) Ostermeier of Antigo; six grandchildren, James (Patti) Schroeder Jr., Aniwa, Jeffrey (Tami) Schroeder, Arbor Vitae, Cari (Luke) Wenninger, Madison, Lorrie Wagner, Antigo, Jason (Jackie) Wagner, Wausau, and Sarah Ostermeier, Madison; eleven great-grandchildren, Brittney Long, Tyler, Daniel and Marlee Schroeder, Storie Knuz, Cody McDowell, Brieanna and Clara Schroeder, Jakob Wagner and Madalyn and Levi Wagner; and a great great granddaughter, NylaJae Kunz.

In addition to his wife he was preceded in death by his grandson, Clayton Earl Schroeder; five sisters, Louise Kofka, Gertrude Mortenson, Dorothy Stroschine Igl, Eleanor Damitz and infant sister Marie; and five brothers, George, Clarence, Richard, Leo and Rudy Damitz.

A funeral Mass will be held on Monday, January 23 at 11 a.m. at SS Mary & Hyacinth Catholic Church with Rev. Jeremiah Worman officiating. Burial will take place in St. Boniface Catholic Cemetery, Aniwa with Antigo veterans conducting military rites. Visitation will be 4 - 7 p.m. on Sunday and 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. on Monday at the Bradley Funeral Home. A parish wake service will be held on Sunday at 6:30 p.m.

Services