Frank A. Heil

Frank Heil, 85, Marathon, died Friday, February 20, 2015 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. He was born June 23, 1929 on the family homestead in the town of Cassel, son of the late Frank and Margaret (Salzman) Heil. On May 20, 1953, he married Anna Mae Stieber at the Church of St. Anne in Wausau. She preceded him in death on November 5, 2009. Frank was born, raised his family and worked his entire life on the family homestead. His parents were both deceased when Frank was only 19 years of age. At that time, he took on the responsibility of raising two of his brothers and one of his sisters. As his own family began to grow, he also took on the responsibility of raising his nephew, Al during the summer months. Al thought so much of Frank that he considered him his "Dad" and credits him for the man he is today. Frank loved the responsibility of raising children and would have taken on many more if he could. Frank loved being a dairy and ginseng farmer. He also worked as a school bus driver for the Marathon School District, worked for Marathon Cheese Corp. for two years and also worked for the former Marco Co-op for two years. Frank was an active member of St. Mary Catholic Church, Marathon. He was a youth director and member of the Catholic Order of Foresters, a hospitality minister and coordinator, a member of the Secular Franciscan Order and a member of the Holy Name Society. He also enjoyed volunteer work at Color Vision Printing in Edgar and was a member of the NFO (National Farmers Organization). Among his favorite pastimes, he enjoyed playing cards, playing softball and making maple syrup. He also loved to travel the world with his wife, Anna and spending time with his family and many grandchildren. Survivors include, nine children, Sherri (Ray) Stankowski, Wausau, Fran (Lynn) Heil, Wausau, Carol (Brian) Weix, Northfield, Minn., Dave (Chris) Heil, Edgar, Dottie (Charlie) Lang, Edgar, Tom (Michelle) Heil, Whitewater, Greg (Julie) Heil, Weston, Julie (Tom) Matson, Eau Claire and Scott (Katie) Heil, Hudson; 21 grandchildren, Jennifer (Nick) Rabchenia, Matt (Jillian) Stankowski, Tamera (fiancAC. Eric Chernohorsky) Stankowski, Ben (Lisa) Heil, Adam (Hannah) Heil, Becki (Kurt) Suleski, Phillip Weix, Taylor Heil, Cody (Megan) Heil, Amanda Lang, Brad (fiancAC. Tristen Barton) Lang, Jessica (Frank) Schiefelbein, Chelsea (fiancAC. Blake Barnes) Heil, Zach, Kaylee, Meghan and Allayna Heil, Victoria and Elizabeth Matson; and Brayden and Parker Heil; 11 great-grandchildren, Jacob, Collin, Holden, Charlotte, Celia, Austin, Logan, Brielle, Damien, Jayden and Thomas; four siblings, Marge Ostrowski, Hatley, Conrad "Coonie" (Doris) Heil, Wausau, Ted (Geri) Heil, Oconomowoc and Sister Margaret Heil, LaCrosse; and many nieces and nephews. Besides his parents and wife, Anna, he was preceded in death by an infant son, Thomas; four brothers, Alfred, Ervin, Walter and George Heil; and three sisters, Caroline Diedrich, Marie Look and Sister Dorothy Heil. The funeral mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 25, 2015 at St. Mary Catholic Church, Marathon. Rev. Msgr. Joseph Diermeier will preside. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. Friends may call on Tuesday from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Marathon and again on Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until time of services at the church. There will be a rosary service at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday evening at the funeral home. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of the Oncology Department at Aspirus Wausau Hospital for the wonderful care and support given to Frank and our family. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com