"Aunt Marie I hope that our Lord brings you , Jennifer , Ann Marie and all your grandkids the much-needed peace during this sad time.I was honored and blessed to have known my uncle. He was truly a blessing in many peoples lives and he will be missed by many. My Prayers to the family and our fond memories of Uncle Ernie will always be in our thoughts and hearts . My most heartfelt condolences to you all ."
In loving memory of
Ernie Millsaps
December 22, 1939 - June 2, 2019
Ernie Millsaps, formerly of Antigo, died Sunday, June 2, 2019, in Suamico, Wisconsin. He was 79 years old. Ernie was born on December 22, 1939, in Murphy, North Carolina a son of Dallas and Nannie (Robinson) Millsaps. He married Marie Freiburger on August 22, 1964, at St. John Catholic Church, Antigo.
Ernie grew up on a farm in the mountains of North Carolina and was a graduate of Murphy High School.
Ernie joined the United States Air Force in 1961 and was stationed at 676th Radar Squadron at Antigo until discharge in 1965. During this time he coached youth football at St. John's and Little League Baseball.
Ernie moved to Milwaukee where he worked for Allis Chalmers and Stark Oldsmobile, returning to Antigo in 1967. He began a long career at Aulik Implement becoming a partner in the business. After the business closed Ernie worked at Waukesha Bearings and Sunnydale Potato Farms. In 2005 he and his wife moved to Suamico.
Ernie was a member of The Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks, Lodge 662, Antigo, St. Mary Catholic Church in Antigo where he served on the Board of Education and Parish Council.
Ernie loved fishing, time in a tractor, gardening and was an avid reader. He was a wood turner and wood worker, making furniture and other artwork for family, friends, and many churches and schools.
Ernie's greatest joy, however, was time with his grandchildren and he had special nicknames for each of them.
Survivors including his wife, Marie, and two daughters, Jennifer (Chad) McAllister, Howard, Anne Millsaps and her husband Kaveh Moghadam, Wildwood, Missouri; five grandchildren Sarah, Aidan and Colin McAllister, Lillian and Nima Moghadam; two sisters, Virginia (Edward) Ellek, Lostant, Illinois, Carol Haas, Murphy, North Carolina; one brother, Buddy Millsaps, North Carolina; a sister-in-law Sandra (Bill) Johanek; many nieces and nephews and dear friends.
Ernie was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Dickey Millsaps and Dallas, Jr. in infancy; his mother-in-law Violet Freiburger.
The funeral Mass will be celebrated on June 8, 2019, at 10:30 a.m. at St. John Catholic Church with Rev. Mathew Simonar officiating. Entombment will take place in Queen of Peace Cemetery where Antigo Veterans will conduct military honors.
Visitation will be on Friday, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Bradley Funeral Home. Visitation will continue on Saturday, from 9 to 10 a.m. at Bradley Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Ernie's name to All Saints Catholic Schools 419 Sixth Ave, Antigo, WI 54409.
Tributes
" Do you have my deepest condolences in your loss of Ernie.. He sounded like an amazing man someone everyone truly admired. His wood artwork will be remembered by all those who received such a beautiful handmade gift. Our loving Heavenly Father Jehovah knows the pain that you are in and wants to bring you comfort. That Comfort can be found in the Bible Book of Revelation in chapter 21 verses 3 and 4."
"Marie, we are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. John and Gail Priebe"
"What can I say about my Uncle Ernie that anyone who has ever met him already knows and loved about him ? Really nothing, He really was anything you would have wanted in a Uncle, Husband, Father, Grandpa, Brother, Neighbor, friend etc. He was always ready to help in anyway you needed with just his advice or giving a helping hand physically. He was funny, he was Caring, he was supportive in every way he could be. He was a master craftsman with his hands in working with wood. He could make beautiful bowls out of scraps of wood, and make exquisite beautiful furniture that are priceless to those of us that were lucky to have any of his works of art that he created with his hands. He was a man that was a perfect example of what a person should be. He will be greatly missed."
"Marie - my thoughts and prayers are with you. A long and happy life. Condolences. Mike Worman "
"It is a shock to say good-bye to such a dear, kind, and loving man. He always put others ahead of himself, particularly Marie and their family. We will always remember how Ernie, in his quiet and self-effacing way, looked out for others, whether Family, friends, or in his community. We know there are many people who crossed paths with Ernie and also will remember this dear gentle man with a huge heart. We are so grateful that he and his family kept an eye on Jerry's Mom in her later years; and that they simply "dropped everything" to pray at her bedside when we couldn't, as she left this world. Just one example of this special man who always did what he did because it was the right thing to do with no concern for his own inconvenience. Marie, Jennifer, and Anne, We hope in these hard times that the memories of Ernie bring you solace and in time, peace, knowing that he is walking with the angels, and enjoying the beauty of heavenly gardens. Love to you all, Jerry and Barb Reif "