Robert "Bob" R. Gage

Robert “Bob” R. Gage, 99, passed away at Meadows of Marathon Assisted Living on April 17, 2026.

He was born November 4, 1926, in Marathon to Vincent W. and Elvera (Schmidlkofer) Gage.

He graduated from Marathon High School in 1944, then enlisted in the U.S. Navy. After basic training at the Great Lakes Naval Base in Illinois, he was sent to Fort Pierce, Florida for Amphibious Training. At the training base he was assigned to the Supply Dept., where he received the rank of Storekeeper, 3rd Class. Bob was honorably discharged in 1946 and continued his education at the Business Institute of Milwaukee pursuing a business degree.

He joined the Alois Dreikosen Post #469 where he served as Legion Commander, Adjutant, Finance Officer and Legion Honor Guard for more than 65 years.

In 1950, he was appointed substitute clerk and substitute rural mail carrier for the Marathon Post Office. In that same year he was appointed as a full-time rural mail carrier for what was known as Route 2, Marathon. He served in that capacity until his retirement in November 1981.

Bob was a member of the Marathon County Rural Letter Carriers and later joined the Wausau Chapter #689 of the National Active & Retried Federal Employee Association (NARFE) where he served as president and director.

For 55 years Bob served as the Marathon Fun Days Parade Chairman. He served on the 1957 Centennial Committee and the 2007 Sesquicentennial Committee. In 2013 Bob was honored to go on the Never Forgotten Honor Flight. He served as a director from 1993-2002 for the Marathon Area Swim Center.

Bob was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and served as a hospitality minister for 60 plus years. He was a member of the St. Leo’s Court #795 of the National Catholic Order of Foresters and the Holy Name Men Society where he volunteered many years for their chicken dinner.

He enjoyed traveling with his sisters and brother-in-law. They visited several countries abroad plus spent many winter months in Arizona, Texas and Florida. Bob and his brother Vince witnessed the day Tiger Woods got a hole-in-one. Besides traveling he enjoyed riding his bike, golfing, swimming, playing sheepshead and going to the basketball, baseball and football games.

During the summer he golfed at Pine Valley Golf Course and helped his great nieces and nephews fill the pop machines on the course.

In 1978 Bob made a trip to El Salvador where he became acquainted with Javier Garcia. Javier spent three years with Bob, and he considers Javier his adopted son. While here Javier attended Marathon High School and NTC in Wausau.

Survivors include Janice, Vincent & Eleanor Gage of Marathon; nephews, Kevin (Tracy) & Brian Whiteley, Paul & Sheryl, Joe & Kelly, Greg & Kris, Patrick & Cathy, Russell & Corissa and Jason & Kristi Gage; nieces, Maureen & Steve Bohling, Amy & John Johnson, Connie & Ryan Berdal and five great-great nieces & nephews.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by sisters, Eileen and Janet Gage, Eunice (Toby) and Daniel Whiteley and a brother, Gerald.

The funeral Mass will be celebrated 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 25, 2026, at St. Mary Catholic Church, Marathon. The Rev. Msgr. Joseph Diermeier will preside. Visitation will be Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service all at St. Mary Catholic Church, Marathon. Burial will be in St. Mary Cemetery with full military honors conducted by the American Legion Alois Dreikosen Post #469, Marathon.

Special thanks to Fr. Joe, the deacons, John DeLaporte, friends and his nieces and nephews who stopped by and brought him candy and other goodies. Also, the caring staff at Meadows of Marathon Assisted Living who attended to his every need.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Mary’s Parish for Special Projects.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com