- Robert M. Baratka
Sept. 5, 1944 -- Dec. 14, 2015
Robert Michael "Bob" Baratka, 71, died on Monday, Dec. 14, 2015, at the UW-Madison Hospital, Madison. He was born on Sept. 5, 1944, in Milwaukee, the son of Adam and Leona (Fitzgerald) Baratka. He attended and graduated from Phillips High School, Class of 1962. Bob married his loving wife of 52 years, Betty Lou Cress, on June 1, 1963, in Phillips. After living in Milwaukee, they returned to Phillips in 1970 to go into business with his brothers. Bob along with his brothers, Bill and David, owned and operated Phillips Plating Corporation from 1970 until his retirement in Jan. 2014. They worked tirelessly building a business providing jobs to over 100 employees as well as developing groundbreaking plating techniques. In his free time Bob enjoyed time spent with family and friends, was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing and especially spending time at his cabin, his "happy place."
He is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Betty Lou of Phillips; by his three children: Kimberly (Ron) Pasch of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Robert (Brenda) of Merrill, and Shawn (Becky) of Phillips; by five grandchildren: Jordan, Kale, and Connor Pasch, and Dawson and Dakiya Baratka; by two brothers: William "Bill" (Betty) and David (Lorraine) of Phillips; by two sisters: Shelley (Bob) Brevak of Ashland and Debbie Baratka of Phillips; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister: Jackie Foster; and two brothers: Bernie and Glendan.
A memorial service was held on Dec. 22, 2015, at St. Therese of Lisieux Catholic Church, Phillips, with Fr. Gerald Hagen officiating. Inurnment will be in St. Patrick's Cemetery, Phillips. Honorary pallbearers were: Gary Genske, Jimmy Campbell, Mitch Adams, Bob Brevak, John Korpela, Peter Huettl, Dick Kramer, and Jim Kramer.
The Heindl Funeral Home, Phillips, was in charge of the arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.heindlfuneralhome.com.
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