Oscar Koeppel, of Phlox, died Tuesday, February 14, 2017 at Evergreen Terrace. He was 98 years old. He was born on October 16, 1918 in Phlox, a son of Albert and Anna (Heinzen) Koeppel. He married Audrey Schleinz on March 1, 1944 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Phlox. She preceded him in death on March 6, 1997.

He served in the United States Army Air Corps during WWII having flown 32 missions over Germany and northern Italy.

Mr. Koeppel owned and operated Koeppel Well Drilling from 1948 until 1985 when his son Phil began operating the business.

He was a member of St. Joseph Holy Family Catholic Church in Phlox, the Devine Menting American Legion Post #525 – Phlox and was an Associate of the Religious Hospitalers of St. Joseph.

He loved to play cards, enjoyed raising Christmas trees, reading and watching the Green Bay Packers.

Survivors include four daughters, Karen (Eugene) Schisel, Burlington, Iowa, Cindy (Jeff) Kielman, Phlox, Marilyn “Lyn” (David) Baraniak, Antigo, Janet “Jan” (Larry) Schmidt, Antigo; three sons, Jerry (Marilynn) Koeppel, Stevens Point, Philip (Diane) Koeppel, Antigo, Bob (Melanie) Koeppel, Antigo; daughter in law, Marcia Koeppel, Merrimac; a sister, Theresa Welch, Antigo; a brother, Joseph Koeppel, Wausau; 22 grandchildren and 33 great-grandchildren.

In addition to his wife and parents he was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Mary, a son, Eugene, a foster son, Timothy Lemke; two sisters, Frances Wilhelm, and Adeline Kowalski; five brothers, Alphonse, Clarence, Edward, Martin, and Vernon Koeppel.

The funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday February 20, 2017 at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph Holy Family Catholic Church with The Very Rev. James Baraniak, O.Praem., Prior of St. Norbert Abbey and Deacon Tom Hartman officiating. Burial will take place in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery where the Devine-Menting American Legion Post will conduct military honors.

Visitation will be 2 to 6 p.m. on Sunday at the Bradley Funeral Home and 10 a.m. until the time of services on Monday at the church.

A parish wake service, led by Deacon Tony DeBroux, will be held at 5 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home.