Robert “Bob” Sumnicht, age 91, of Merrill, passed away on June 11, 2014 at the Artisan Assisted Living facility under the care of Ministry Home Care Hospice.  Bob was born on May 1, 1923 to Frank and Augusta (Dittman) Sumnicht in the town of Shawano, WI. Bob attended and graduated from UW-Madison in 1952. He was in the military and served 3 years in occupied Japan. He would eventually meet the love of his life, Joyce Glasbrenner, and they were united in marriage on June 27, 1953 in Eau Claire, WI. They moved to Merrill in 1953, and Bob worked in the UW Extension office as a Lincoln County Agricultural Agent.  He retired in 1981.  Bob had been a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church since 1953 and served on various committees throughout the years.  He was a proud member of the Merrill Lions Club, even receiving the Melvin Jones Fellowship award.  Bob was also a chairman and member of the Merrill Parks and Recreation Department.  He was a member of the Board of Directors of the Wisconsin Association of County Fairs for 7 years, also serving 35 years on the Lincoln County Fair Board.  He served as the chairman of the Lincoln County Board of Supervisors. Bob was active in the Merrill Chamber of Commerce and received the Ambassador Award.
In his younger years, Bob farmed in Shawano County on the home farm.  Bob eventually started his own Christmas tree plantation business, receiving the Wisconsin Tree Farmer of the Year award in 1988.  He liked nothing better than spending time outdoors in his Christmas tree plantations and making maple syrup in the Spring.  He took many hunting trips to Wyoming and many fishing trips to Canada. He’ll be remembered by many for grilling chicken at many local events. .  He will be sadly missed.
Bob is survived by his wife of 60 years, Joyce Sumnicht of Merrill; 3 children, Sarah (Gary) Stroyny of Mosinee, George (Sandie) Sumnicht of Madison and Carol (Bill) Strand of Kronenwetter; 3 grandsons, Steve, Robert and Scott; step-grandsons, Nathan and Jason; step great-grandson, Evan; numerous nieces and nephews and last but not least, his best buddy, “Oreo”.  He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Gladys, Mabel and Grace; brothers, Kenneth and Lenard.
Funeral services for Bob will be held on Monday, June 16, 2014 at 11am at St Johns Lutheran Church in Merrill.  Rev. Joel Hoelter will officiate.  Visitation will be Sunday, June 15, 2014 4pm-8pm at the funeral home and also on Monday, June 16, 2014 from 10am until the time of the service at St. Johns Lutheran Church in Merrill.  Waid Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.  Online condolences can be made at www.waidfuneral.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in Bobs’ name to the St. John Lutheran Church in Merrill and the Lincoln Co. Humane Society.

Robert “Bob” Sumnicht, age 91, of Merrill, passed away on June 11, 2014 at the Artisan Assisted Living facility under the care of Ministry Home Care Hospice.  Bob was born on May 1, 1923 to Frank and Augusta (Dittman) Sumnicht in the town of Shawano, WI. Bob attended and graduated from UW-Madison in 1952. He was in the military and served 3 years in occupied Japan. He would eventually meet the love of his life, Joyce Glasbrenner, and they were united in marriage on June 27, 1953 in Eau Claire, WI. They moved to Merrill in 1953, and Bob worked in the UW Extension office as a Lincoln County Agricultural Agent. He retired in 1981.  Bob had been a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church since 1953 and served on various committees throughout the years.  He was a proud member of the Merrill Lions Club, even receiving the Melvin Jones Fellowship award.  Bob was also a chairman and member of the Merrill Parks and Recreation Department.  He was a member of the Board of Directors of the Wisconsin Association of County Fairs for 7 years, also serving 35 years on the Lincoln County Fair Board.  He served as the chairman of the Lincoln County Board of Supervisors. Bob was active in the Merrill Chamber of Commerce and received the Ambassador Award.
In his younger years, Bob farmed in Shawano County on the home farm.  Bob eventually started his own Christmas tree plantation business, receiving the Wisconsin Tree Farmer of the Year award in 1988. He liked nothing better than spending time outdoors in his Christmas tree plantations and making maple syrup in the Spring. He took many hunting trips to Wyoming and many fishing trips to Canada. He’ll be remembered by many for grilling chicken at many local events. He will be sadly missed.
Bob is survived by his wife of 60 years, Joyce Sumnicht of Merrill; 3 children, Sarah (Gary) Stroyny of Mosinee, George (Sandie) Sumnicht of Madison and Carol (Bill) Strand of Kronenwetter; 3 grandsons, Steve, Robert and Scott; step-grandsons, Nathan and Jason; step great-grandson, Evan; numerous nieces and nephews and last but not least, his best buddy, “Oreo”. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Gladys, Mabel and Grace; brothers, Kenneth and Lenard.
Funeral services for Bob will be held on Monday, June 16, 2014 at 11 a.m. at St Johns Lutheran Church in Merrill.  Rev. Joel Hoelter will officiate. Visitation will be Sunday, June 15, 2014 4-8 p.m. at the funeral home and also on Monday, June 16, 2014 from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at St. Johns Lutheran Church in Merrill. Waid Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences can be made at www.waidfuneral.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in Bobs’ name to the St. John Lutheran Church in Merrill and the Lincoln Co. Humane Society.