John "Jack" Fermanich

John E. "Jack" Fermanich, of Bass Lake, died peacefully with his family by his side on Friday, December 5, 2014 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. He was 89 years old. He was born September 3, 1925 in Mattoon, son of the late John T. and Ida (Sturm) Fermanich. He married Lolita Amelia "Pat" (McGinnis) on January 15, 1947 at Holy Family Catholic Church in Mattoon. Mr. Fermanich graduated from Mattoon High School in 1943. He served stateside in the Army Air Force during World War II. He owned and operated a fuel distributorship, with his business starting in 1946. He formed Fermanich Fuel Company, Inc. in 1958 and operated the business until his retirement in 2000. He was a member of SS. Mary & Hyacinth Catholic Church. He was active in the many local organizations including Mattoon Green Wave Basketball, Antigo Legionnaire's Basketball, Elks, Little League, Jaycees, and Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed bowling, snowmobiling, and especially golf. He was a longtime member of Bass Lake Country Club, and was a former board member and president of the club. He spearheaded the expansion of the clubhouse and the addition of the second nine holes. Jack and Pat lived on Bass Lake, and in Winter Haven, Florida, where they welcomed family and friends to their home in a virtual open house for 60 years. Survivors, in addition to his wife, include 2 daughters, Kathleen (Fred) Kelm, and Marylin (David McElroy) McGinnis Fermanich of Orlando, FL; 3 sons, Jeffrey (Therese) Fermanich of Antigo, Tim (Barb) Fermanich of Antigo, and Paul (Jodie) Fermanich of Bass Lake; 11 grandchildren, Jennifer, Rebecca, Tara, Beau, Timmi, John, Jacob, Caitlin, Chloe, Ellie, and Justin; 10 great-grandchildren, Matt, Scott, Jack, Greta, Lily, William, Benjamin, Emma, Stella, and Tate; a sister-in-law, Marion Fermanich of Antigo; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by 3 sisters, Lucille Lokemoen, Carmen Draeger, and Geraldine Hanke; and 2 brothers, Carl and Paul Fermanich. A funeral mass will take place at 11:00 a.m Wednesday at SS. Mary & Hyacinth Catholic Church in Antigo with Fr. Charles Hoffmann officiating. Visitation will be 4:00-8:00 p.m. Tuesday at Strasser-Roller Funeral Home with a parish wake service at 4:00 p.m. A second visitation will be 9:45-10:45 a.m. Wednesday at Strasser-Roller Funeral Home. Entombment with military honors will take place at the Queen of Peace Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Jack's name may be directed to the Langlade Hospital Dialysis Center.