Mark Melvin “Eme” Emmerich
1961-2021
He loved to work on bikes and cars. He worked very hard after they moved onto Castle Rd. to fix his shop just the way he wanted it. Anyone who knew him understood if you wanted Eme to paint something, it would be done perfectly and he would still ask over and over if it was good.
Mark loved riding motorcycles with all his buddies, especially Greg and Steve Lugo, Kenny and Peggy Lichtl, Jeff and Dawn Schupp and many others. Going to Tomahawk Fall Ride was his favorite way to end the summer. In 2013 the “Eme ride” was started and grew til 2019. It was great to see all of his friends on bikes. Mark’s other favorite thing to do was eat, especially ice cream and share it with all of his furry friends!!
Mark was a true survivor of many medical issues. He had a bad facial burn and took his first helicopter ride to UW-Madison Burn Center. Eme always laughed and said that was the end of his modeling career. In 2011 Mark was diagnosed with a brain tumor and had a 23 hour long surgery and a long stay, but came back and started laughing again. In 2017, he then had major neck surgery and in 2018, back surgery. He also always had a bandage from something he did in the shop.
He will be dearly missed by his wife, Krissy; children, Jena (Cory) Faber of Stetsonville, Curtis (fiancée, Aleda) Vaughan of Lake Hallie, Mersadies Vaughan of Oshkosh, Amanda (Scott) Jones and Brock of Medford; sisters, Lola Kay (Dale) Lekies of Peoria, Ill., Darla (Edward) Dittrich of Medford; mother and father-in-law, Isabel and Neal Olkives of Medford; in-laws, Belinda Emmerich of Spooner, Deb (Bill) Olkives of Lake Geneva, SuAnn Johnson of Rib Lake, Iva Jean (Wayne) Troiber of Medford, Jerome (Sue) Olkives of Silver Lake, Julia (Jeff) Thums of Rib Lake; grandchildren, Austin, Emma, Charlie, Eddie, Cullen, Ethan, Jett and Ava; many nieces; and nephews; favorite bestie girl, Joyce Blyton, Spencer; and his best friend/canine companion, Scooby Doo.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Jay; brother-in-law, Donald Olkives; and his best friend, Curt Scholl.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the family. Hemer Funeral Service of Medford and Rib Lake is serving the family. Online condolences can be left at www.hemerfuneralservice.com.
Mark Melvin “Eme” Emmerich, age 59, of Medford, died Saturday, May 8, 2021 at his home. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, May 14 at Hemer Funeral Home in Medford with Rev. Dave Clements officiating. Military honors will be held following the service. Visitation will be at the funeral home Friday, May 14, from 10 a.m. until the time of service at 11 a.m. Following the service, a lunch reception will be held at Mark and Krissy’s home, N3189 Castle Road, Medford. All are welcome and invited to join the family in telling stories, singing karaoke and sharing memories of Eme.
Eme was born Nov. 9, 1961 in Medford to Myrtle (Hurtienne) and Melvin Emmerich. He graduated from Medford High School in 1981. In 1980, Mark joined the Wisconsin National Guard and was enrolled in the Heavy Equipment Operators School where he graduated with highest honors. Mark was enlisted for nine and a half years. He loved to recite some of his marching chants.
In 2005 Eme proposed to Kristen “Krissy” Olkives in Foxy’s parking lot on Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. Took forever, but they finally married on Oct. 20, 2012. They resided in Medford where Eme was retired. He formally worked at Phillips Plastics, Wadal Plastics and also at Black River Body & Custom. His passion was to rebuild and customize cars and motorcycles.
It didn’t matter where Mark was, you could hear the famous “Woody Woodpecker Laugh!” He loved karaoke, especially Nickelback and Hooked on a Feeling. Otherwise known to him as Ooga Chaka! Paid Obituary 104768
