Merlin "Butch" Skinner

Merlin “Butch” Skinner 83, beloved husband, father and grandfather, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Wednesday March 27, 2024, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.

Butch was born November 23, 1941, in Milwaukee to the late Merlin Sr. and Leone (Hermance) Skinner.  He grew up in the Lake Geneva area and was a graduate of Badger High School, class of 1960.

Following graduation, Butch worked for Standard Theatres as a manager until 1963, when he joined the Lake Geneva Police Department.  In 1977 Butch left the police department and moved his family to Wausau having purchased Norbie’s Bar and renaming it “The Cop Shop”.  After leaving the Cop Shop in 1979, he bartended at several area taverns, before purchasing the “5 & 10” Bar also here in Wausau.  Butch sold that establishment in 1987 and to keep himself busy, began working as a maintenance man for the Wausau Club until his retirement in 2003.

Among his favorite pastimes, he enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren and extended family.  He also enjoyed camping, spending winters on South Padre Island, Texas with his wife, Mary and was an avid Wisconsin Badgers, Milwaukee Brewers and Green Bay Packers fan.

In 1984, he married Mary Gatske Skinner who survives; along with his two children, Bart Skinner and Heather (Joe) Matter; and grandchildren, Ryan and Maegan Matter.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by three siblings, John Skinner, Elsa Skinner and Patsy Eschenfeldt.

A celebration of Butch’s life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 3400 Stewart Avenue, Wausau.  Rev. Joy Nelson-Jeffers will officiate.  Visitation will be on Wednesday from 11:00 a.m. until time of services at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the charity of your choice.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com