Elroy H. Trantow

Elroy H. Trantow, age 95, died Sunday, December 22, 2013 at Bell Tower Residence, Merrill. He was born September 1, 1918 in the town of Stettin, son of the late Benhardt and Clara (Neitzel) Trantow. On December 15, 1945 he married Sylvia Jablonski. She survives. Elroy was a millright for American Can and later was the owner of E&S Refrigeration. He served his country in the United States Army during World War II as a combat medic in Papua, New Guinea, Soloman Islands and Battle of Biakand. On October 21, 2013 was able to take part in the Never Forgotten Honor Flight in Washington D.C.. As a young man he was a drummer in a band, a tap dancer and a self taught harmonica and violin player. Some of his hobbies included woodworking, wood carving, hunting and training hunting dogs. Survivors include his wife, Sylvia; children, Cheryl (Russell) Ristau, John Trantow, Wayne "Skip" (Toni Parque) Trantow, Mark Trantow, Jay (Jenny) Trantow and Robin (Melissa) Trantow; grandchildren, Tim (Lora Brooker) Ristau, Jenny (Mark) Price, Mercedes and Jacob Trantow, Sarah and Garyt Trantow, Alicia (Matt Richmond) Trantow, Beth and Becky Eldred, and Tony Schaeffer; step-grandchildren, Jake and Lucas Darelius; great-grandchildren, Emily, Madelyn and Matthew Price; sister, Lavina Sleeter; sister-in-law, Mary Trantow. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by siblings, Merlin and Gerhardt Trantow, Lillian Tesch, Irene Mortenson, Adela Laffin, Minnie Vaughn and Venita Winters. Funeral service will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, January 3, 2014 at Bell Tower Residence, Merrill. Chaplain Carol Mancl will officiate. Burial will be in Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau. Friends may call Friday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services all at Bell Tower Residence, Merrill. Special thank you to the staff at Bell Tower Residence for their kindness and care. Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth Street, Wausau, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com