Gay E. Oberg, 87, of Merrill, passed away Sunday, April 23, 2023, at Aspirus Merrill Hospital surrounded by his family.
Gay was born November 14, 1935, son of the late Ernest and Gladys (Thompson) Oberg. Gay was born in Lincoln County at the old County Home on Highway 17. He married Sally Lenore Krueger on October 5, 1957, in Merrill. She survives.
Gay attended Newwood School and graduated from Merrill High School. He ventured West and worked with his cousin, Harlen, as a painter at the Hanford Atomic Plant in Washington state. He eventually returned to Wisconsin and enlisted in the United States Army on July 7, 1955. He was stationed stateside at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, Fort Carson, Colorado, and Fort Polk, Louisiana. He then spent a year in Tokyo, Japan with the Far East Command. Gay honorably served his country and was discharged on June 28, 1957.
He worked for Merrill Plumbing and Johnson Controls before becoming co-owner of M & G Plumbing & Heating on Merrill’s west side. Gay was a Master Plumber and designer. Gay served as President of the West-Side Business Association. After 13 years in business, he went on to work for the UA Local 434 Plumbers and Pipe Fitters and retired at age 62.
Gay was a lifelong Christian and was very active with St. Stephens United Church of Christ. He served as the president on the church council and helped with missions for many years.
He enjoyed watching wildlife and helped spearhead the Friends of Council Grounds group as the co-founder and president. He loved the park and enjoyed spending time there. He was passionate about the wilderness. Gay shot target rifle for the Midwest Rifle Association and received many sharp shooting awards.
Gay was a Mr. Fix-It. He could repair, repurpose and reuse just about anything. He was always working on a project and could fix anything. He liked building and landscaping projects, and also enjoyed gardening, photography, and puzzles. He traveled all over the United States and enjoyed spending time in the Western states.
Gay is survived by his wife of 65 years, Sally Oberg; daughter, Lynn Oberg-Hinz (Jeff Hinz); son, Scott (Julie) Oberg; four grandchildren, Adam Dotter, Elly (Troy) Hanson, Sheena Oberg (Ty Zimmerman), and Kathleen (Steve) Rauchle; three great-grandchildren, Tillie, Finn, and Kane; sisters, Nancy (Jerry) Kunkel and Sharon (James) Garski; sister-in-law, Gayle Oberg; brother-in-law, Charles (Maripat) Krueger; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Gladys Oberg; mother-in-law, Lenore Ehlert; siblings, Jerry Oberg, David Oberg, Richard Oberg, Ronald Oberg, and infant Bonnie; and nephews, Steve Oberg and Chris Garski.
The funeral service for Gay will be held at 11:00 A.M., Friday, April 28, 2023, at St. Stephens United Church of Christ, Merrill. Rev. Michael Southcombe will officiate. Entombment will take place in Merrill Memorial Park Mausoleum with military rites conducted by V.F.W. Post 1638, Merrill. The visitation will begin at 9:00 A.M., on Friday at the church. Taylor-Stine Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Merrill, is assisting the family.
The family suggests memorials in Gay’s name be directed to St. Stephens United Church of Christ, Merrill.
Online condolences may be made at www.taylorstinefuneralhome.com
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