Philip “Phil” Rath, age 65, of Clintonville passed away Monday, November 30, 2015 at Appleton Medical Center following a courageous battle with cancer.
Philip Jerome Rath was born on January 14, 1950 in Two Rivers, WI, to Hilary and Ardis (Albano) Rath. Shortly after graduating from Two Rivers High School in 1968 he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. Phil served two tours in Vietnam and was discharged in 1972. He was united in marriage on July 12, 1975 to JoAnn H. Bloch at St. Luke’s Catholic Church, Two Rivers. The couple lived in Sturgeon Bay and Forestville for some time. Phil worked for 12 years at Bay Shipbuilding Company, Sturgeon Bay, as a welding foreman. In 1988 the couple settled in Clintonville and Phil started working as a production supervisor at Nordberg Inc. until 2002. After Nordberg closed he was employed for some years as a machine operator at Curwood in New London and he also worked as a night shift security guard at Menominee Casino in Keshena for some years. Phil was an active member of St. Rose Catholic Church taking communion to the homebound and elderly. He also served three terms as an alderman for the City of Clintonville. Making breakfast was Phil’s specialty, but he also won lots of awards at the local Chili Cook Off competition each year. Phil enjoyed deer hunting, being outdoors, and especially the fishing trips to Canada the past few years with his cousins. His other interests included working in the flower garden, winning at Scrabble, and playing cards, mostly sheepshead and cribbage. He will be remembered most as a devoted husband, a loving father, and a proud grandfather. Phil loved spending time with his family and his wonderful sense of humor will be missed by everyone.
Survivors include his wife of 40 years, Joanie; and four children, Philip (Greta) Rath of Monroe, Gretchen (Brian) Tosdale of Clintonville, Luke (friend Kristy Zachow) Rath of Clintonville, and Heidi Rath of Ramsey, MN. There are 13 grandchildren, Rebekah, Anikah, Roderick, Dominick “DJ”, Maryskah, Maverick, Kendrick “KJ”, Autumn, Kaleb, Miley, Riyah, Laylah, and Majid. There are two sisters, Mary Rath of Racine and Hilarie (Gary Pribyl) Rath of Green Bay. There are two brothers, Tom Rath of Stevens Point and Jim (Sharon) Rath of Sherwood. There are three sisters-in-law, Terry (Paul) Feest of Two Rivers, Pati (Dick) Hofmann of Lake Tomahawk, and Marie Kahlenberg of Land O’ Lakes. He is further survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Phil is preceded in death by his parents, a son-in-law, Sammy Ramlawi; a brother, Mike; his father and mother-in-law, Edward and Phyllis Bloch; a sister-in-law, Susan Rath, and a niece, Patty Blocker.
Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, December 9th at 11:00 a.m. at St. Rose Catholic Church, 24 Seventh St., Clintonville, with Fr. John “Jack” Mullarkey officiating. Military Honors will be provided by members of the American Legion Post #63 and the VFW Post #664, both of Clintonville. Friends may call on Tuesday from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the Beil-Didier Funeral Home, Clintonville, and on Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until time of service at the church. Online condolences may be sent via www.beil-didier.com. In lieu of flowers, a memorial is preferred to Phil’s family.