Merlin Wruck, 62, passed away on Monday, Dec. 8, 2014. Arrangements are pending with Swedberg Funeral Home in Shawano. www.swedbergfuneralhome.com

JoAnn (Mielke) Strong, 79, of Little Chute, formerly of New London, passed away Sunday morning, Dec. 7, 2014, at her residence. The Eberhardt-Stevenson Funeral Home and Crematory of Clintonville is assisting her family with the arrangements.

Dennis W. Schroeder, 70, of 214 E. Main St., Gillett, died on Sunday, Nov. 30, 2014, at Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee. Dennis was born on Nov. 4, 1944, in Shawano to the late Walter and Agnes (Rusch) Schroeder. He was a proud member of the U.S. Army where he drove a deuce and a half truck and was the recipient of Sharp Shooting medals. Dennis was united in marriage to Gloria Hanstedt on July 10, 1971, in Shawano at St. John’s Lutheran Church.

The Rev. Marvin James Richter, 67, of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Dec. 7, 2014. Marvin was born on Sept. 22, 1947, in Shawano, a son of the late Laverne and Elvira Richter. He graduated from Shawano High School in 1965 before continuing his education and graduating from North Central University in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1969 and 1970. He was ordained as a minister with the Assemblies of God in 1976.

Larry Nohr, 72, of Bonduel, passed away Friday, Dec. 5, 2014. Born March 13, 1942, to the late Wesley and Esther (Rosenbaum) Nohr, Larry grew up in Bonduel and attended Bonduel schools. After graduation, he started his career as a truck driver. Larry worked for various companies before retiring from Packerland Transport after more than 30 years of service and having driven 3,650,111 safe miles.

Richard A. “Dick” Melcher, 76, of Shawano, passed away peacefully on Monday morning, Dec. 8, 2014, at his home, surrounded by his loving family. Dick went to spend Christmas with Jesus this year. Dick was born Dec. 14, 1937, in the town of Lake, Wisconsin, a son of the late William Melcher and Lillian (Belling) Melcher-Meyer. He attended school in South Milwaukee.

Sonja J. Maas died Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2014, at Luther Manor in Milwaukee. Born in 1923 in Bergen, Norway, she immigrated to the United States with her parents, John and Sanny Johnson, through Ellis Island and settled in Jamaica, New York, in 1927. She moved to Washington, D.C., with her father and mother in 1941.

Phyllis Ione Knowles, 76, of Tilleda, passed away on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2014, in Weston. She was born on July 23, 1938, in Milwaukee, the daughter of the late Harold and Jeanette (Lory) Appleby, and has lived in this area for the past 14 years. On Feb. 19, 1955, she was united in marriage to Robert “Bob” Knowles in Oceanside, California.

On a night quarterback Aaron Rodgers set another passing record and coach Mike McCarthy tied legendary coach Vince Lombardi for Packers wins, the Green Bay Packers held on to beat the Atlanta Falcons 43-37 after running up its typical first half lead on “Monday Night Football” at Lambeau Field. After taking a 31-7 lead by halftime, the Packers’ steamrolling offense slowed.