Ernie Millsaps, formerly of Antigo, died Sunday, June 2, 2019, in Suamico, Wisconsin. He was 79 years old. Ernie was born on December 22, 1939, in Murphy, North Carolina a son of Dallas and Nannie (Robinson) Millsaps. He married Marie Freiburger on August 22, 1964, at St. John Catholic Church, Antigo.

Ernie grew up on a farm in the mountains of North Carolina and was a graduate of Murphy High School.

Ernie joined the United States Air Force in 1961 and was stationed at 676th Radar Squadron at Antigo until discharge in 1965. During this time he coached youth football at St. John’s and Little League Baseball.

Ernie moved to Milwaukee where he worked for Allis Chalmers and Stark Oldsmobile, returning to Antigo in 1967. He began a long career at Aulik Implement becoming a partner in the business. After the business closed Ernie worked at Waukesha Bearings and Sunnydale Potato Farms. In 2005 he and his wife moved to Suamico.

Ernie was a member of The Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks, Lodge 662, Antigo, St. Mary Catholic Church in Antigo where he served on the Board of Education and Parish Council.

Ernie loved fishing, time in a tractor, gardening and was an avid reader. He was a wood turner and wood worker, making furniture and other artwork for family, friends, and many churches and schools.

Ernie’s greatest joy, however, was time with his grandchildren and he had special nicknames for each of them.

Survivors including his wife, Marie, and two daughters, Jennifer (Chad) McAllister, Howard, Anne Millsaps and her husband Kaveh Moghadam, Wildwood, Missouri; five grandchildren Sarah, Aidan and Colin McAllister, Lillian and Nima Moghadam; two sisters, Virginia (Edward) Ellek, Lostant, Illinois, Carol Haas, Murphy, North Carolina; one brother, Buddy Millsaps, North Carolina; a sister-in-law Sandra (Bill) Johanek; many nieces and nephews and dear friends.

Ernie was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Dickey Millsaps and Dallas, Jr. in infancy; his mother-in-law Violet Freiburger.

The funeral Mass will be celebrated on June 8, 2019, at 10:30 a.m. at St. John Catholic Church with Rev. Mathew Simonar officiating. Entombment will take place in Queen of Peace Cemetery where Antigo Veterans will conduct military honors.

Visitation will be on Friday, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Bradley Funeral Home. Visitation will continue on Saturday, from 9 to 10 a.m. at Bradley Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Ernie’s name to All Saints Catholic Schools 419 Sixth Ave, Antigo, WI 54409.