Philip Thomae

Philip M. "Phil" Thomae age 92 of Antigo died, Friday, October 28, 2022 at home under the care of his family and Home Care of Wisconsin. He was born April 30, 1930, one of ten children, to Edward and Marie (Paulik) Thomae. He married Peggy Norem on July 10, 1954 at St. John Catholic Church.
Phil attended Fern Dale School grade school, St John Catholic grade school and graduated from Antigo High School, class of 1948.
After high school, he worked at Margret Studio's, Weber Magazine, and the Berner Brothers Publishing as a Printer/Compositor Journeyman.
In 1951 he joined the United States Army as PFC in the 46th Engineer Construction Battalion. Following his time in the service, he returned to the Berner Brothers Publishing where he obtained the first "Double Page" advertisement in the Daily Journal. In 1960 he joined Clermont Printing as a Printer/Compositor and was one of the few men in the State of Wisconsin to operate and repair the Linotype Printing Machine.
Following his retirement, he volunteered for the Antigo Food Pantry for 13 years and operated the Weed Harvester on the Townsend Flowage for 11 years.
Phil was a member of the Monsignor Conrad Saile Council 1002 Knights of Columbus and Monsignor Conrad Saile Assembly 1214 Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus.
He was a carpenter, electrician, inventor, handyman and loving father. He repaired everything his children brought him. He enjoyed family, friends, hunting, fishing, camping, shooting pool, and playing horseshoes and cards.
On April 14, 2014 he attended the Honor Flight to Washington DC.
Survivors include his wife of 68 years, Peggy Thomae; five children, Diane (Greg) Resch, Jane (Randy) Babler, Kurt Thome, Bruce (Sharon) Thomae, and Sue (Butch) Zimmerman; 12 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; three great, great-grandchildren; a sister, Carol Meadows; brothers and sisters-in-law, Betty Thomae, Helen Thomae, Jack (Emily) Norem, and Harold (Joanne) Norem.
He was preceded in death by two sisters, Meryl Schroeder and Betty Wilman; six brothers, Oscar, Herbert, Leonard, Robert, Thomas and Harry; and a daughter-in-law, Kathy Thomae
A memorial Mass will be held on Thursday, November 3, 2022 at 11 a.m. St. John Catholic Church with Rev. Charles Hoffmann officiating. Visitation will take place on Thursday at the church in Hoffmann Hall from 9:30 a.m. until the time of Mass.
Military Honors will be held at the church following the Mass.
Burial will take place at the Bent Cemetery in Bryant. Procession to the cemetery will leave the church at 1:30 p.m.
You can join us remotely at the Antigo Area Catholic Church YouTube page https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCb6i85f1GcZRPPLZAqlFAYA