Allen J. “Butch” Parfitt died Wednesday morning January 2nd, 2019 at age 92 at Rosalia Gardens under the care of LeRoyer Hospice. Butch was born on September 11, 1926 in New London, to the late Claude Parfitt and Anna (Grant) Parfitt. His family moved to Antigo in the late 1930s. He married Martha Schroepfer of Antigo at St. John Catholic Church in Antigo on July 12, 1952. She preceded him in death on May 20, 1962.
Butch graduated with the Antigo High School class of 1944. He was a Seabee stationed on Attu Island in Alaska’s Aleutian Islands when his class graduated mid-June of 1944. He had enlisted in the Navy in 1943 during World War II and was discharged in 1946. He also entered the Naval Reserves after WWII and was called up during the Korean conflict serving in Cuba. His military service was just over 7 years and he reached the rank of Petty Officer Third Class.
His military career took him to places like Bermuda, Guam, San Diego, Hawaii, the Aleutians, and other islands in the Pacific. After that, he said he had already seen enough of the world and wasn’t interested in traveling.
His long work career started with delivering newspapers as a young boy. After his military service he worked for Berner Brothers Publishing in their Office Equipment and Supply Department. He eventually started Parfitt’s Office Equipment Supply Company in the late 1960s. He then worked at Clermont Printing for over 40 years, retiring in 2015 at age 88. Butch also worked many years as a part-time Langlade County Deputy Sheriff and was Deputy Coroner for a short time.
Butch enjoyed work, but he also spent endless hours fishing for crappies below the dam at Post Lake and out in the woods hunting for grouse. Over the years he had memberships in the Langlade County Auxiliary Police, Quint County Law Enforcement Association, Antigo Junior Chamber of Commerce, Catholic Order of Foresters, MSGR. Conrad Saile Knights of Columbus Council 1002, Sparks-Doernenburg American Legion Post 3, Leland-Tollefson Veteran of Foreign Wars Post 2653, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks Lodge 662. He was also a member of SS Mary and Hyacinth Catholic Parish.
In addition to his wife and parents, he was also preceded in death by his brothers Richard “Jack” Parfitt and Phillip Parfitt.
Butch is survived by his daughter Mary (Jim) Fittante, Antigo and son Bill (Terri) Parfitt, Hudson; grandchildren Ashley (Josh) Krueger, Pewaukee; Kelsey Fittante, Minneapolis, MN; MacKenzie (Kyle) Seidel, Eau Claire; Bailee (Clayton) Kolb, Elgin, MN; and Teeghan (Brian) Herian, Maplewood, MN; and great grandchildren Colton Krueger, Silas and Evi Seidel, Vera and Willa Kolb, and Oliver and Charlie Herian; two sisters Mary Martin, Chicago and Joanne Casey, Schaumberg, IL.
The celebration of the funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday January 5, 2019 at SS Mary and Hyacinth Catholic Church with Rev. Charles Hoffmann officiating. Burial will take place in Queen of Peace Cemetery.
Visitation will be held from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Friday at the Bradley Funeral Home and on Saturday from 9 to 10 a.m. also at the funeral home. A parish wake service will be held at 4 p.m. and the Knights of Columbus will recite the rosary at 6:30 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
Antigo Veterans will conduct military rites Saturday following services at the church.