Jeffery "Jeff" D. Zilisch

Jeffery “Jeff” D. Zilisch, 80, Ringle passed away at home with his wife of 57 years by his side, under the care of Compassus Hospice.

He was born on August 27, 1942, in Wausau, the son of the late David and Phyllis (Meilahn) Zilisch. He was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church, Wausau. He went to Zion Lutheran School through 8th grade and then graduated in 1960 from D.C. Everest High School. After graduation, he worked at Zimpro, Rothschild, and then in the fall, he went into the United States Air Force with his best friend, Mel Fust.  After honorably serving his Country for four years he returned home and started his career at Wausau Papers. He married Judy Berard on August 7, 1965, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Wausau.

Jeff raised beef cattle on the farm and weekends were spent fishing at the cabin on Big Bearskin Lake with family.  He retired from Wausau Papers in 1998 as the Superintendent of Purchasing and Yard Operations.  In retirement, he was known as the “Antler King” creating hundreds of antler creations in his shop with his dog, Tuffy.  Jeff enjoyed deer hunting, trapping, fishing, playing horseshoes, making maple syrup in the spring, and making honey from his bees. Jeff passed on his hobbies to his children and grandchildren which brought him great joy over the years. Jeff enjoyed every visit with his grandchildren, family and friends.

Survivors include his wife, Judy; son, Joey (fiancé Becky Zenkovich) Zilisch, Ringle, son, Jarrod (Lisa) Zilisch, Ringle, and daughter, Jamie (Mark) Jaeger, Wausau; grandchildren, Anna (18), and Abrielle (15) Zilisch, Carissa Schumacher and Jeremy (21) and Ryan (17) Jaeger. Sister’s in-law and brother-in-law Linda (Berard) and John Gesicki, Bonnie (Berard) and Bruce Beyersdorff and Jon (Kathy) Berard.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his father and mother-in-law, Jerry and Annabelle Berard, sister-in-law- and brother-in-law Virgene and Peter Kramer.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, September 29, 2022, at Zion Lutheran Church, Wausau.  Rev. Theodore Gulhaugen will officiate.  Visitation will be Wednesday from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth St., Wausau, and again on Thursday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of services at Zion Lutheran Church, 709 N 6th St., Wausau.

The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to TLC Home Care and Compassus Hospice for their kind, compassionate care of Jeff.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com