Schulz family donation helps to get project rolling soon

By Craig Marx, Editor

Thanks to a generous donation from Karl and Jil Schulz, the veteran markers of Elmwood Cemetery in Antigo will receive much-needed overhaul in the upcoming weeks. With a personal connection to the markers that represent those that have served the United States in multiple conflicts and branches of service, the Schulz family was honored to contribute to the upcoming project.

“Our dad, Phil Martiny, passed away a year ago Friday,” Jil Schulz said. “He instilled in us a love of this great nation and our military. My dad and brother both served in the Air Force – my dad in Vietnam – and a majority of our uncles have served also, so we have a great love for our military. We know the freedom we have today is because of each and every one of them. When Steve Bradley and Richard Hurlbert approached me, I thought this is a great way to honor our dad and to make sure that those great Americans buried in Elmwood Cemetery are taken care of.”

Approximately 129 markers, consisting of those located in Blocks 15A and 14A at Elmwood Cemetery, will be leveled and made flush with the ground once again as part of the project. Originally proposed by Hurlbert, the beautification efforts have met the support of the Veterans Service Office, the American Legion, and the VFW.

The project looks to see the markers visible once again yet still conducive to lawn upkeep at the cemetery. As time passes, some of the markers have sunken into the ground and are in desperate need of attention. Through the recent donation and upcoming work, the possibility of leveling the veteran markers will begin soon.

Work is set to begin in mid- to late July as soon as the necessary paperwork is approved by the contractors. Volunteers along with the city’s Park, Recreation and Cemetery Department work to clean veteran plots in the area’s various cemeteries each year, and the donation by the Schulz family and the ambition of Hurlbert and others to push the project forward aid in preserving the integrity of such noble markers.

“Families are responsible for maintaining their markers or monuments, but…cleaning and some maintenance of markers that no longer have living heirs or family allow us to keep the cemetery neat and orderly,” said Sarah Repp, supervisor of the Antigo Park, Recreation and Cemetery Department. Cleaning of the markers would not be possible without the help of volunteers.”