Robert A. 'Bob' Wirkus, 65 of Stratford died on Wednesday morning, October 19, 2011 surrounded by family and friends at Ministry St. Josephs Hospital in Marshfield. Mass of Christian burial will be 3pm Friday, October 21, 2011 at St. Josephs Catholic Church with Fr. Eric Berns officiating. Music will be provided by the St. Josephs Resurrection Choir. Burial will be in St. Josephs Cemetery in the Township of Eau Pleine, Marathon County, WI. Serving as pallbearers will be his nieces and nephews, Billy Bohman, Dodie Vesely, April Dickson, Tina Dix, Shelly Kuse, David Nowak, Kenny Gennett and Michael Wirkus, Jr. Visitations will be from noon Friday until time of the services at St. Josephs Church. Sauter/Rembs Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements. Bob was born on May 17, 1946 in Edgar to Joseph and Dorothy (Meyer) Wirkus. He attended St. Johns 'School. He then attended Mid-State Technical College in Wisconsin Rapids and became an electrician. He served in the Wisconsin National Guard from 1965 until 1971. On October 18, 1969, he married the love of his life, Mary Ann Bohman at St. Josephs Catholic Church in Stratford. During his high school years, he worked for Charles Mullins Cheese Factories. In 1965, he began his employment with Weyerhaeuser Company in Marshfield which later became Marshfield Door Systems. He was an electrician and retired in 2009 after 44 years. Bob is survived by his wife Mary Ann, children, Steven (Angela) Wirkus of Stratford, Shawn (Melody) Wirkus of Marshfield and Suzanne (Randy) Walters of Kronenwetter; two grandchildren Tanna Wirkus and Ethan Walters; two step grandchildren, Magen Schneider and Tanner Carolfi. He is further survived by his eight brothers and eight sisters, Sharon Heckel of Marshfield, James (Gloria) Wirkus of Loyal, Carol (Jim) Streveler of Brule, Donald (Anna) Wirkus of Chili, John (Barbara) Wirkus of Schofield, Charles Wirkus, Joseph D. Wirkus, Jr. of Stratford, Frank (Sandra) Wirkus of Wausau, Marjean (James) Bomski of Denmark, Patricia (James) Nowak of Stratford, Rosemary (Clifford) Bohman of Stratford, Joan (Michael) Kuyoth of Edgar, Jane (Glen) Dickson of Pittsville, Betty (David) Krall of Marshfield, Michael Wirkus, Sr. of Marshfield and Patrick (Nancy) Wirkus of Richland Center. Bob is also survived by a brothers-in-law Alan (Alice) Bohman of Edgar, Jerry (Myrna) Bohman of Mosinee and a sister-in-law, Dorothy Bohman of Stratford. There are many nieces and nephews that loved and respected Bob, including his special friends Jamie and Sharon Schmidt. He was their sounding board and advisor. Upon the death of his parents, he was instrumental in the raising of the younger brothers and sisters. He was the one that everyone turned to for advice and guidance. He was preceded in death by his parents, father and mother-in-law Louis and Helen Bohman, and two brothers-in-law Donovan Bohman and Lyle Heckel. Condolences may be sent online to www.rembsfh.com Visitation: Noon until time of the services on October 21, 2011 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Stratford, WI Service: 3pm on October 21, 2011 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Stratford, WI