Roger J. ‘Joe’ Sabatke, age 69, of Merrill, formerly of the Town of Berlin, Marathon County, died Tuesday, January 15, 2013, at Artisan Assisted Living, Merrill.
Joe was born June 24, 1943, in Merrill, son of the late Dorothy Krause Sabatke. Joe enlisted in the United States Marine Corp in 1964. He was honorably discharged in 1968 after serving during the Vietnam War. Joe was a ‘Purple Heart’ recipient. Joe was a dairy farmer in the Town of Berlin, Marathon County. He enjoyed hunting, making wood, and the outdoors. Joe was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Town of Berlin. He was also a member of Mar-Lin V.F.W. Post #10203 – Athens, D.A.V., and the American Legion – Athens.
Survivors include his immediate family: Greta (Walter) Rusch, and Charles Henrichs (Janet Green) and his daughter, Jacqueline Henrichs. Also surviving is his extended family: four sisters, Arlene, Claudette, Suzette, and Pat; and three brothers, John, Dale, and Mark. Joe was preceded in death by his mother, Dorothy Krause Sabatke; two siblings, David and Pam; and his uncle and aunt whom were his caregivers, Clarence and Dolores Henrichs.
The funeral will be at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, January 19, 2013, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Town of Berlin. The Rev. Jeffrey Schmidt will officiate. Burial will take place in Trinity Lutheran Church Cemetery, Town of Berlin, with graveside military rites conducted by Mar-Lin V.F.W. Post #10203 – Athens. Visitation will be from 4:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. Friday at the Taylor-Stine Funeral Home, Merrill, and after 10:00 A.M. Saturday at the church.
The family would like to thank Aspirus Comfort Care & Hospice Services and Community Care of Central Wisconsin for their compassionate care of Roger.
Online condolence may be made at www.taylorstinefuneralhome.com