Alton "Tony" Dale Schmidtke

Alton "Tony" D. Schmidtke, 92, of Neillsville, WI died on Wednesday, July 27, 2016 at the Neillsville Care and Rehab Center.Tony was born on December 29, 1923 in the Town of Fremont, Clark County, Wisconsin, the son of Paul and Anna (Kreiger) Schmidtke. When he finished his schooling in Granton he began hauling canned milk which he did for many years. He enlisted in the United States Army and served from 1949 to 1950. Tony went to work as a cheesemaker and was very proud that he achieved his cheesemakers license. He was united in marriage to Hilda (Bohn) Kohel on Sept 25, 1954 at Auburndale, WI. Together they purchased and ran Tony and Hilda's Midtown Bar in Granton also trucked cattle for the Granton Livestock Sales Barn during those years. Hilda died on April 14, 1986. He was united in marriage to Julia (Scheel) Kippenhan on April 22, 1987 at Greenwood, WI. She died on March 10, 2001. He drove truck for REA Express for many years and then went to work for Seal-Store Silo Company building silos. Tony loved to bowl and after his retirement he loved to go fishing, playing cards and Dominoes and spending time with his family. He was a member of Zion Lutheran Missouri Synod Church in Granton. He will be greatly missed by a special friend of 14+ years; Evelyn Cram of Neillsville, daughters; Carol (David) Hillert of Granton, Delores Dankemyer of Chili and a son, Charles (Carol) Kohel of Edgar, nine grandchildren, nine great grandchildren and three great great grandchildren. He is also survived by two brothers, Larry (Karen) Schmidtke of Adams, and Donald (Doreen) Schmidtke of Odebolt, IA.Tony was preceded in death by his parents, his wives, Hilda and Julia, sisters, Alice (Gene) Wehe and Carmen (Oswald) Elpert, a brother in infancy and a son-in-law, William "Billy" Dankemyer.As per Tony's wishes there will be a private family interment at the Greenwood Cemetery in Auburndale at a later date.Online Condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com. The Gesche Funeral Home is assisting Tony's family with Funeral arrangements.Funeral Home:Gesche Funeral Home4 South Grand AvenueNeillsville, WIUS 54456