Francis “Hammy” Brey
Francis A. “Hammy” Brey, 91, Greenwood, passed away on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023, surrounded by his loving family at Marshfield Medical Center in Marshfield. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 13, 2023, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Greenwood. Rev. Emmanuel Famiyeh officiated with burial following at St. Mary Catholic Cemetery. Pallbearers were Jeremy Gardner, Taylor Ehlers, Ryan Ehlers, Jesse Dale, Ethan Brey and Brian Nigon. Military rites were conducted by the Greenwood American Legion Post #238. Visitation was held at Cuddie Funeral Home, in Greenwood, on Thursday, Jan. 12 from 4-8 p.m., and Friday, at the church, from 10 a.m. until the time of the service.
Francis Anthony Brey was born on June 1, 1931, in Milladore, the son of Frank and Delia (Joosten) Brey. As a child, Hammy was raised in a farming family, living in Marshfield and Wausau, before the family settled in Greenwood in 1941. After completing his education, he worked on the family farm until moving to Illinois to farm. Hammy returned to Greenwood, and was united in marriage to Delores A. Poznanski on April 7, 1956, at St. Mary Catholic Church. He then entered the U.S. Army on April 25, 1956, and served until his honorable discharge on Jan. 24, 1958. After returning from his service in the military, Hammy and Delores took over the operation of his family farm in 1958. They farmed until their son Mark and his wife Bev took over the farming operation in 1993; but, Hammy continued to help out on the farm until 2017.
He was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church and its Holy Name Society. In the past he served on the board for the Greenwood Co-op, was a dealer for CSF electric feed carts and removed snow for the city of Greenwood for several years. He was in charge of the Greenwood Dairy Days tractor pull for many years, was previously voted FFA Farmer of the Year, and was awarded the Greenwood Dairy Days parade marshal.
Hammy had many interests, but especially loved spending time with his family and friends, deer hunting, junking, watching the Green Bay Packers and playing Sheepshead with his family.
He will be dearly missed by his wife, Delores, of Greenwood; his four children, Laura Brey Gardner (John Gardner) of Owen, Marsha Brey of Neillsville, Mark (Bev) Brey of Greenwood and Kim (Roger) Ehlers of Greenwood; nine grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; two sisters, Bernice Klier and Jean Griesbach, both of Sheboygan; one sister-in-law, Margaret “Peg” Brey of Neillsville; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
Hammy was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Wallace “Wally” and Daniel Brey; and one sister, Norma Sinner.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.cuddiefh.com. Cuddie Funeral Home, Greenwood, is assisting the family with arrangements.
PAID OBITUARY 131017
