Antonio “Tony” Garcia, 83, of Merrill, died Wednesday, September 12, 2012 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.

He was born May 10, 1929 in Benavides, TX to the late Gabriel & Refugia (Vela) Garcia. After a pen pal courtship, Antonio and Carol Peterson were united in marriage on October 3, 1953 in Merrill.
Antonio grew up in Texas and joined the U.S. Army in 1948 where he served for 20 years, retiring in 1968 as a Staff Sergeant. He served in the Korean and Viet Nam Wars. His tours of duty included Korea, Viet Nam, England, Guam, France and the Eniwetok Nuclear Testing grounds. After his military service, Antonio worked for Merrill Distributing for 25 years, retiring in 1993. He was a member of St. Stephen’s United Church of Christ and the VFW Post #1638.
Survivors include his wife: Carol Garcia, Merrill; five daughters: Linda (John) Bergh, Merrill, Anita (Kenneth) Garcia-Holzemer, Anacortes, WA, Lucinda Dill, Kansas City, MO, Susie Beaver, Kansas City, MO and Theresa (Russ Radloff) Garcia, Merrill; six grandchildren: Elliot Dill, Leslie Dill, Anna (Joe) Izenman, Elena Holzemer, David Holzemer & Seth Kroll; two brothers: Augustin Garcia & Juan Rudulfo Garcia: one sister-in-law: Ruth Jane Heath, Merrill; and two brothers-in-law: Reinhart (Sally) Peterson, Tomahawk, & Tom (Marsha) Peterson, Eagan, MN. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers: Santos & Gabriel Garcia Jr, three sisters: Zoila Zamora, Ofelia Guevara and Maria Luisa Rodriguez; two brothers-in-law: Donald and William Peterson, two sisters-in-law: Shirley Thompson and Betty Hass, and one son-in-law: Kevin Beaver.
Memorial Services will be held 2:00 PM Friday, November 9, 2012 at St. Stephen’s United Church of Christ. The Rev. Linda Kuhn will officiate. Visitation will be from 1-2 PM Friday before the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to St. Stephen’s United Church of Christ or the Lincoln County Humane Society. Waid Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.waidfuneral.com.