Myron H. Oestreich, age 79, of Merrill, WI, passed away on Saturday, August 10, 2019, at Woodland Court Elder Services in Merrill surrounded by his family and under the care of Ascension Hospice. Myron was born in the Town of Harding on November 26, 1939, to the late John A. and Dorothea (Zemke) Oestreich. Myron graduated from Merrill Senior High School with the class of 1957. He joined the Wisconsin National Guard where he served his country until his honorable discharge. He was also a member of the Loyal Order of Moose. He began working at a young age on the family farm before working at Wilroy Automotive, Merrill Evergreen, and hauling pulp for his uncle Otto Oestreich. Myron then worked for the city of Merrill for twenty-seven years starting in 1974 when he began work on the garbage truck before eventually transferring to the wastewater treatment plant from which he retired in 2001. To keep himself busy in his later years, Myron became the “gas man” at Caylor’s Corners and became the last man to hold that job in the over 50 years of the gas route. On June 1, 1968, Myron married Margaret “Tuffy” Caylor at St. Francis Catholic Church; she survives. Having been raised on the family farm, Myron greatly enjoyed his time outdoors and spending time with family. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. Many of his nieces and nephews learned how to fish with Myron guiding the boat from the family cottage south of Tomahawk. For many years he looked forward to his annual fishing trip to Canada. Weekends with Myron and Tuffy usually meant a road trip through the northwoods often taking along their nieces and nephews with many memories being made. Myron was also active in his church, St. John the Baptist in Bloomville. He was an advisor for the Catholic Youth Organization at the old St. Francis, he co-chaired the food stand at the fair, and in his later years, he and a group of volunteers organized by his brother-in-law, Tim, power washed over 3000 stones in the Catholic Cemetery. That group eventually was responsible for over 20 stones being added to unmarked graves containing infants in both the cemeteries. Myron enjoyed woodworking, and after retirement, began making lawn ornaments that he designed and hand painted for family and friends. When Prairie River Middle School began its Civil War re-enactments, Myron made the wooden rifles for the students. Eventually he made over 500 of the rifles that are still being used at schools in both Wisconsin and Illinois. In his younger years, Myron and Tuffy bowled in the Friday Night Shoppers League. Christmas was very special for Myron and he looked forward to decorating his home every year for the holiday.
Survivors include his wife, Margaret “Tuffy” Oestreich, of Merrill; his son, Myron Jr. (Virginia Flanagan), of Junction City, WI; two grandchildren, Myron and Isabelle; sisters, Phyllis Merkel, Joyce (Norman) Saxby, Ruth (Cedric) Schneider, and Violet Volz, all of Merrill; brothers, Eugene and Lawrence “Ed”,both of Merrill, and Leroy (Janice) of Lindstrom, MN. He is further survived by Kathryn Sensenbrenner of Madison, WI; Peter (Colleen) Caylor, of Fairfax Station, VA; Mary (Eldred) Kufahl, of Merrill, Tim (Donna) Caylor, of Irma, and Carol Caylor, of Merrill, along with a host of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Dorothea; a sister, Karen, in infancy; and his sisters and brother-in-laws, Rose Marie Oestreich, Fred Merkel, Ralph Volz, T. William (Darlene) Caylor, Michael (Kathleen) Caylor, and Daniel Caylor.
A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11:00 AM on Friday, August 16, 2019, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. Father Chris Kemp will officiate. Burial will take place in St. Francis Xavier Catholic Cemetery. Graveside Military Rites will be conducted by Schmidt-Manecke-Donner Post 1638. Friends may call on Thursday, August 15, 2019, at Bell Tower Residence, 1500 O’Day St, from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM. The family wishes to express their gratitude to the staff of Woodland Court who made Myron feel at home these past ten months and for providing support to Margaret during his stay. Also, a special thank you to his classmates, Carl, Dave, Earl and Jerry – friends to the end, who still took Myron out to lunch weekly. Generations Funeral Home of Tomahawk is serving the family. You can leave online condolences at www.generationsfuneral.com