Joseph Koeppel

Joseph “Joe” Koeppel, formerly of Antigo, died Thursday June 10, 2021, two days before his 96th birthday, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. He was born on June 12, 1925, to Albert and Anna Koeppel of Phlox, WI where he resided the first 25 years of his life. He was the second youngest of 10 siblings. His parents and siblings all preceded him in death. He served in the US Army following World War II form 1945-1947. He married Shirley Zaitz on July 23, 1949, at St. Mary's Church, Antigo Wisconsin. They resided in Antigo for 66 years until her death on April 9, 2015. He moved to and resided in the Wausau area until his death. Joe's career as a commercial printer spanned close to four decades first working for the Antigo Daily Journal and then later as the proprietor of Koeppel Printing in Antigo. He enjoyed the many gatherings of his large extended family, naps, jigsaw puzzles, and his all-time favorite; playing cards at which he was often the victor. Joe was a member of St. John Catholic Church and Monsignor Conrad Saile Knights of Columbus Council 1002. Joe is survived by six children; Ken Koeppel of Indianapolis, IN, Kathy Drengler (Lee) of Wausau, Keith Koeppel (Jan - deceased) of Rothschild, Kari Carroll (Dave) of Schofield, Kandace Elmergreen (Dennis) of Wausau, and Kim Tornstrom (Jim) of Knoxville, TN, thirteen grandchildren; Eric (Jenna) Drengler and Kurt (Erika) Drengler, Austin Koeppel and Hannah (Troy) Knox, Erika (Mike) Patin, Derek Carroll and Lindsay Carroll, Courtney (Dave) Derus, Dennis (Elizabeth) Elmergreen, and Natasha Elmergreen, Ethan, Joseph, and Collin Tornstrom, and 14 great grandchildren. A visitation will be held on Thursday, June 17 at Strasser-Roller Funeral Home from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM with a family Rosary service at 7:30 PM. Visitation will also take place at St. John Catholic Church on Friday prior to the service from 9:30 until the time of the service with the local Knights of Columbus standing honor guard. A Mass of Christian Burial for Joe will take place on Friday, June 18, 2021, at 10:00 AM at the church. Interment will follow the service at Queen of Peace Cemetery next to his wife. Military Honors will be held at the graveside. In lieu of flowers a memorial will be established in his name. The Koeppel family wishes to extend a sincere thank you to Aspirus Wausau Hospital Palliative Care staff for their very special care.