Michael R. Holliday

Michael R. Holliday 67, Merrill, passed away Sunday, October 3, 2004, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital, under the care of Comfort Care and Hospice Services, in the loving arms of his wife and surrounded by his family and close friends, following a lengthy battle with cancer. Michael was born May 24, 1937, in Sturgis, Michigan, son of Miles and Dorothy (Cole) Holliday. Following high school in Midlothian, Illinois, Michael attended Northwestern University between 1955-1957 and then Roosevelt University from 1958-1960, earning a B.A. in Psychology. Having been enlisted in the Army in 1960, Michael served as a Warrant Officer in Army Intelligence, based in Okinawa, Japan until 1963. He also served his country in Vietnam, completing his duty in 1964. In 1967 he was employed by Wausau Insurance Companies as a Sales Representative in the Joliet, Illinois office. In 1970 he transferred to the River Forest, Illinois office and was a Sales Coordinator and Property Claim Unit Manager. In 1986 he moved to Wausau to work at the firm's headquarters and retired in 1995 from Risk Management Services as a Claim Services Supervisor after 28 years of service with the company. During retirement he worked part time driving a medical van for Gerivan and also worked at Memorial Park Cemetery in Merrill. Mike bred and raised Peruvian Paso horses, which was one of his life's passions. Michael is survived by his loving family including his wife of 28 years, Sharon, his children, Catherine Wilson, Seaside, California, Elizabeth Holliday, Monterey, California, Cole Holliday, Wausau and Steve (Sheri) Patrone, Northville, Michigan, cousin and sister of his heart, Beverly (Bobbi Byrd) Alleger, Osseo, Michigan, grandchildren, Carissa and Brandon Patrone, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Bob and Roxanne Youssi, Fallbrook, California, Doug Schulte and Sue Koster, Brandon , Florida; nephews and nieces, Gary Schulte, Jessica, Derek and Justin Youssi, ex-wife Anne (Bob) Packard, Carmel, California, numerous other family members and extended family of friends as well as now-grown up foster children that Michael and Sharon cared for in their home between 1982 to 1986. Michael was preceded in death by his beloved parents Miles and Dorothy Holliday, his grandparents Vern and Cora (Drake) Cole and Floyd and Nola (Williams) Holliday, and his father-in-law and mother-in-law Steve and Vera (Killian) Schulte. As an active and loving member of the congregation of St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Rib Mountain he served on various committies including the Fellowship Committee. He was also active in earlier years at Grace Lutheran Church in River Forest, Illinois. He enjoyed his Peruvian Paso horses, camping with his family in the Great Lakes, snorkeling, spear fishing, photography, music, crossword puzzles, history, chess, whittling and reading books on early Christianity as well as westerns, mysteries and classics. Funeral Services will be at 11:00 a.m. Friday, October 8, 2004 at St. Andrew Lutheran Church, Rib Mountain. Rev. John Roseth will officiate. Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery Osseo, Michigan. Visitation will be on Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 3400 Stewart Avenue, Wausau, and again on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services at the church. There will be a lunch served immediately following the services and Friends are invited to join the family at Michael and Sharon's home after the lunch. Memorials may be directed to Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services or to the Music Program at St. Andrew Lutheran Church. Online condolences at www.petersonkraemer.com