Obituaries

 

MSGT Elmer G. Millette, Jr.

POYNETTE – MSGT Elmer G. Millette, Jr., 87, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving daughters, into the arms of our dear Lord with many loving angels waiting to greet him on Sunday, February 4, 2018.

Elmer was born on December 22, 1930, in Goodman, WI. A place he loved so dearly where his heart always remained, the son of Elmer and Irene (Zeimet) Millette. He married the love of his life, Evelyn (Harrison) on November 12, 1949. He proudly served his country as a Master Gunnery Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps. He served January 6, 1952 to August 31, 1971. Being a Marine was one of his proudest accomplishments aside his children and family. He served in the Korean War and had two tours in Vietnam. He proudly earned two purple hearts. He was an expert marksman and to this day, he was so very proud to serve his country.

Elmer enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was a softball pitcher for the United States Marine Corps as well as the U.S. Post Office. After his retirement, he followed his dream and bought a small farm in Chili, WI, where he lived with his beloved wife and 3 daughters. He was so extremely proud of his 6 daughters and their families. He loved sharing stories of his life experiences with his grandchildren. He could sit and talk with them for hours. He had a big heart, always helping the less fortunate. He was always there for you, helping in any way. He was always ready with a witty joke, making others smile. And he loved to make people laugh.  

He is survived by his children, Sandra Latour and Celine Hildebrant, both of Poynette, Cindy (Michael) Panas of Oshkosh, Tammy (Mark) Schlagenhaft of Chili, WI; brother, Kenneth Millette of McFarland; 20 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, 6 great-great-grandchildren and 3 on the way, other relatives and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Irene Millette; wife, Evelyn Millette; daughters, Betty Powell and Diana Thayer-Endres; brother, Roger Millette; sisters, Merva Templeton and Marilyn Millette.

His heart was broken with the death of his two daughters, Betty and Diane, who died in a car accident together. Our father and mother never recovered from this tragic loss. His life was his family.

Memorial services will be held at Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage on Saturday, February 17, 2018, at 10:30 a.m. Inurnment with Military Honors will follow the service at 12:30 p.m. at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery, 3054 County Highway BB, Cottage Grove, WI. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service.

He spent the last two years of his life at the Columbia County Health Care Center. He was so fortunate to have the special time with his sister Marilyn until her passing.

The family would like to extend a very special thank you to all of the staff at Columbia County Health Care Center. Thank you for making the last two years of his life meaningful. A special thanks to Mary who he always greeted with “Good morning Sunshine.” Semper Fi.

Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage is assisting the family.  

 

 

Obituaries
For information please call 608 742-2126 (Portage, WI) or 608 635-2763 (Poynette, WI)