Hilbert F. Zocher

Hilbert F. Zocher, 85, Athens, died Wednesday, September 23, 2015 at Aspirus Care and Rehab in Medford. He was born September 29, 1929 in the town of Hamburg, son of the late William and Grace (Steffen) Zocher. On December 11, 1954, he married Shirley Ziegel in Pine City, Minn. She survives. Hilbert was a veteran of the United States Army and served with the 11th Airborne Division. He was a member of the Veteran of Foreign Wars Andrew J. Sutter Post No. 8527, Athens. Hilbert worked for Janke Construction in Athens, was a self-employed logger, worked for O & I Paper Mill in Tomahawk and co-owned and operated the former Zochs Wayside Bar in Athens. Among his favorite pastimes, he enjoyed bowling, horseshoes, shooting pool, playing darts, playing cards and a good game of cribbage. Survivors include his loving wife of 60 years, Shirley Zocher, Athens; four children, Kenneth Zocher, Cheryl (Dennis) Strunk and Robert Zocher, all of Athens and Kay (Todd) Roth, Mosinee; ten grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren and two on the way; four sisters, Martha Zinkowich, Athens, Alvina Braatz, New Berlin, Delores (Kenneth) Block, Athens and Luella (Myron) Krueger, Tomahawk; and many nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by two granddaughters, Charity and Bobbi Jo; one sister, Ruth Cota; and five brothers, Marvin, Adolph, Frank, Elroy and Leroy. Memorial services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 29, 2015 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Athens. Rev. Mark Schwalenberg will officiate. Burial will be in Salem Lutheran Cemetery in Hamburg, with full military honors conducted by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Athens. Friends may call on Monday from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. at the church, and again on Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until time of services at the church. Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Athens is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com