Joseph "Joe" Arthur Breaman

Joseph Arthur “Joe” Breaman, age 87, of Merrill, WI passed away on Saturday, July 26, 2025, at Bell Tower Residence Assisted Living and Memory Care while under the care of their wonderful staff, his family, and Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services.

He was born on St. Joseph’s Day, Monday, March 19, 1938, in Sioux City, IA, son of the late Cornelius Neil “Bud” and Marie “Babe” (Lentz) Breaman. He grew up in Sioux City, and received his education at St. Joseph Catholic School.

Joe enlisted in the United States Air Force at the age of 17. He met his first and last love, Romayne Brickner, while she was visiting relatives during his first duty as an aircraft mechanic in Anchorage, Alaska. On May 11, 1957, he married Romayne at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Marathon. Joe’s military career took him to many places and they made many special friends along the way. He proudly served his country and retired after 20 + years of active military service, including tours in Vietnam and Thailand, as a Senior Master Sergeant E8.

After his Air Force retirement in 1975, Joe and Romayne returned to her hometown of Marathon, WI with their five children. As a civilian, Joe worked for Marathon Cheese Corporation and part time for the US Postal Service. Eventually he joined the USPS full-time becoming the Maintenance Supervisor of the Wausau Post Office for over 23 years. Joe was a dedicated and long-term member of the local (Marathon City) American Legion Post 469.

In 2023, as a resident of Bell Tower, Joe enjoyed a 20 minute Dream Flight in a WWII-era biplane. Additionally in July of this year, Aspirus Hospice acknowledged his military service and his family’s sacrifice with a Hospice Veteran Pinning Ceremony. They shared their gratitude for his military courage and commitment. Joe expressed his appreciation for his pin, commemorative plaque and for the gathering of loved ones and supportive personnel prior to his end of life.

Joe and Romayne moved to Irma, WI in 1999 after retirement and enjoyed their 20 “snowbird” winters in Mesa, AZ. Joe was a very social person. He enjoyed making new friends, traveling and visiting his past military friends, making fudge, fixing anything, and maintaining his permed hair. Joe enjoyed going camping in Upper MI with grandchildren, planning and attending the annual summer Brickner Family Reunions, going to the Labor Day Marathon Fun Days, working the “Beer Tent”, and playing BINGO! He was also very good at making and playing Ladder Ball, and gifting his homemade peanut brittle. Joe often expressed his joy in seeing those he cared about. He will be remembered for saying, “I’m so glad you had the opportunity to see me today.”

Joe is survived by his wife of 68 years, Romayne, Merrill; children: Cynthia Hurtis of Wausau-her children Sheila (Jenni) Hurtis of Dubuque, IA and Patrick Hurtis; Lorrie (Andy) Berens of Marathon-their children Matthew (Chelsey) Berens of Marathon, Joshua Berens of Antigo, and Jacob (Ashley) Berens of Wausau; Joseph (Lisa) Breaman of Irma- their children Joseph II (Elizabeth) Breaman, David (Dani) Breaman, John (Brooke) Breaman, Nicholas (Jami) Breaman all of Merrill, and Alyssa (Jacob) Anderson of Irma; Michael (Sue) Breaman of Smyrna, GA- their children Tyler (Georgili) Breaman of Marietta, GA, Adam Breaman and Travis (Shelby) Breaman both of Smyrna, GA; grandchildren: Kevin (Lynne) Seubert of Stoughton, Brian (Kelly) Seubert and Sarah (Craig) Erdman both of Marathon; 22 great grandchildren: Madison and Maddox Hurtis; Loralei Hurtis and Phoenix Hurtis; Lauren Seubert; Abby and Kylie Seubert; Megan (fiance, Alex Volm) Erdman, McKenzie (Arik) Wienke and Dakota Erdman; Lane and Corbin Breaman; Annabelle, Everett and Roman Anderson; Emersyn, Cole and Owen Breaman; Ledger, Lawson and Laker Breaman; Alexandra Breaman; five great- great grandchildren: Chloe and Chase Volm; Lyric and Quantez Brown; Taytum Wienke.

Joe is further survived by one brother James Breaman, South Sioux City, IA and sister-in-law Leona Breaman, Ida Grove, IA; his son-in-law Francis “Frank” Seubert, Marathon; in-laws Carol (Jim) Studzinski, Wisconsin Rapids; Lorraine Wilichowski, Maple Grove, MN; Grace Brickner, Ginger Weiks, Gail (Steve) Studinski and Vicky Ramsey all of Marathon, and many nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents, Joe was preceded in death by his daughter Deborah Seubert; brothers Jerry, John and Jeff Breaman; sisters Sandra Detches and Sally Johnson; brothers-in-law Arthur “Dan” Detches and Roy Johnson; Jerome, Raymond and Wayne Brickner, Gerald Wilichowski and Bob Weiks; and sister-in-laws Donna and Connie Breaman; Linda Brickner-Lueschow.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at a later date.

Many thanks for the personalized care provided by the Bell Tower staff and the exceptional care Joe received from various Aspirus Health providers over the past years. A special thank you to Dr. Christian Lee and his staff from the Aspirus Merrill Clinic. Finally, thank you to the Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services team for the compassionate and comprehensive care they provided Joe and his family over the past month.

Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Marathon, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com