Orville Harold Jacobi

Orville Harold Jacobi, 92, of Aniwa, died July 19, 2023, at Tomahawk Health Services, Tomahawk surrounded by his loving family.

Orville was born June 9, 1931, in the Town of Holton to the late Herbert and Amanda (Junker) Jacobi. He married the love of his life, Adeline Wethern, on July 19, 1952, at the Wausau Church of the Nazarene. Together, they operated a farm and were members of the Famer’s Union. He took great pride in the farm life and raised his children to appreciate the values of hard work. Orville enlisted in the United States Army and served during the Korean Conflict. He was active for two years and was in the reserves for thirty. He was honorably discharged at the rank of Master Sergeant. Orville was a member of the American Legion and was honored to have gone on the Honor Flight in May of 2013. Orville and Adeline were very faithful and were active members with Zion Lutheran Church in the Town of Easton. His work career found him employed as a service station worker at Art Tilden’s Service Center and as a truck driver for Harold Zastrow Trucking. He spent most his life, 33 years, working for Connor Forest Industries as an Inventory Control Supervisor and truly enjoyed what he did. When Connor Industries closed, Orville and his family moved to Shelbyville, Indiana, where, because of his high qualifications, he accepted a job as Plant Manager with Excel Wood Products, Co. After retiring from Excel, he and his family moved back to Wausau, and he began driving for Zientara Fleet. He loved his family more than anything, so much so, he officially retired to become his wife’s full-time caregiver. He appreciated and supported the small, local “mom-and-pop” stores. He enjoyed the outdoors and spending time camping and going “down the road a piece.” Orville was a kind and proud man and he will be deeply missed by anyone whose life he touched.

Orville is survived by his children, Larry Jacobi, Donna (Mark) Stolze, Brian (Sherrie) Jacobi, LeeRoy (Jean Felzkowski) Jacobi, and Lisa (Rene) Neiter; son-in-law, Leslie Merriam; 17 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren with 2 on the way; 7 great-great grandchildren with 1 on the way; sister-in-law, Norma Jean Thompson; and extended family and friends. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 63 years, Adeline Jacobi; children, Arlene Merriam and Lyle Jacobi; great-grandson, Zachary Merriam; brothers, Roland, Clarence, Gilbert, Melvin, Herbert, and Lloyd; and sisters, Irma Stange, Clara Jacobi, Ruth Jacobi, Bernette Kurth, Bernice Roeder, and Leona Braun.

A funeral service will be held Saturday, August 5, 2023, at 11:00 am at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, 238145 Star Road, Aniwa. Visitation will begin at 9:00 am until the time of services. Rev. Ryan Fehrmann will officiate. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with military honors.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Little Lamb Daycare at Christ Lutheran Church.

Our family wishes to thank all of Orville’s caretakes for the outstanding job they did in caring for him, especially his dear friend, Andrea Place.