Arthur Thomas Chermak, 88, passed away peacefully, with his loving wife, Alice, and daughter Chris at his side, at Holy Family Memorial Hospital on Nov. 9.
Art was born in Manitowoc on Nov. 13, 1920, to Regina Bonk Chermak and Emil Chermak.
He attended Lincoln High School and graduated in 1938.
On Jan. 26, 1946, he married Anna Mae Knox and she preceded him in death in September of 1947.
He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Alice Marie Simons, whom he married on May 20, 1950, in Lima, Ohio.
Arthur was inducted into the service in October of 1942 and served in the 127th general hospital during World War II. He was stationed in England and France and was discharged in Dec. of 1945.
He was instrumental in the creation of Cher-Make Sausage Company; which he and his father started in 1928.
In the early days, he helped out by making sausage deliveries on a scooter for his father. During his high schools days, he spent much of his time at the sausage company as it was growing.
Eventually, he took over the company when it moved to its present location on Calumet Avenue.
Over the years, he was an active member of the meat industry including being a member of the Board of Directors of the American Meat Institute and a member of the National Independent Meat Packers Association. He was instrumental in starting Lakeshore Sausage Manufacturers Association; which helped establish standards in the industry for the area.
He was honored by being inducted into the Wisconsin Meat Industry Hall of Fame in 2001. Art remained an active voice over the years during which time the business grew to be a highly respected company in the meat industry. His son, Tom, is now president of the company and carries on the family's high standards.
Art and Alice were soul mates for 59 years. You would never see one without the other. One of their passions was travel. Along with their trips to Europe, they traveled across the country in their motor home, making friends wherever they went.
For many years, they enjoyed their getaways to Door County. They spent winters in Scottsdale, Arizona, where they also formed many lasting friendships. Together they raised four children, Jim, Chris, Ann and Tom, who were his pride and joy and supported him through his illness.
Art was a true Green Bay Packer fan and would seldom be seen without proudly wearing the Packer emblem on his shirt. He attended Super Bowl II in Miami and was there at the infamous "Ice Bowl" game in 1967. His 1996 Super Bowl ring was often the opener for a conversation and the start of a friendship as he and Alice traveled around. He served on the Board of Directors for the Green Bay Packers for 27 years.
He was an active Manitowoc community member. Art was one of the original Board of Directors of the Manitowoc County Bank from 1965-1988. Art was a 4th Degree Knights of Columbus, and a member of the Elk's Club, Manitowoc Yacht Club, and Branch River Country Club.
Along with his wife, Alice, he is survived by his four children: Dr. James Chermak, his wife Leslie and daughter Jessica of Grafton, Wisconsin; Chris Honzik, her husband, Peter, and children Alison Coulson of Madison, DJ Coulson of Milwaukee and Anna Honzik of Manitowoc; Ann Zimmer and her husband, Dr. Donald Zimmer, and their children Sara Pillsbury, Jeff, and Katherine of Englewood, Colorado; and Tom Chermak, his wife, Mary, and children Betsy and Billy of Manitowoc. He is also survived by his son in-law, Noah Pillsbury, and great-grandchildren Emma and Sienna Pillsbury.
He is also survived by his sister, Betty Hoefner, and her husband, Merlyn Hoefner, of Manitowoc. Five nieces and nephews; Judy Culligan, Margaret Miller, Elizabeth Becker, Greg Hoefner, and Chuck Hoefner and their families also survive Arthur.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2009, at St. Francis of Assisi on Waldo. Officiating at the Mass of Christian Burial will the Rev. Dan Felton. Immediately following the Mass military services will be accorded by the V.F.W. Otto Oas Post 659, of Manitowoc. A private burial service will take place at Calvary Cemetery at a later date.
Friends may call at the Pfeffer Funeral Home from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 13, 2009. A prayer service will be held at 7:30 p.m. led by Deacon Bob Beehner. The visitation will continue on Saturday at the funeral home from 9:30 a.m. until the time of morning prayers at 10:30 a.m.
Memorials may be made to Roncalli High School, the new St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School or to a charity of choice.
We would like to thank the numerous people who supported Art and his family through his illness. Thank you to Dr. Baatz and Dr. Giriyappa who continuously gave him the best medical attention, treatment and care. Thank you to the caring staffs at Holy Family Memorial Hospital and Home Care, and River's Bend Rehabilitation Center who comforted him and his family. We also thank Fr. Dan Felton who helped Art find peace in his final days.
From Green Bay Press Gazette
WISCONSIN MEAT INDUSTRY HALL OF FAME
Art Chermak grew up working after school in his father Emil's butcher shop in Manitowoc, helping to make and deliver Cher-Make sausage products. After serving in World War II, Chermak joined the family business, expanding the operation and opening a new Cher-Make Sausage Company plant at its present location on Calumet Avenue. Following his father's death in 1954, Chermak took over management of the plant. In 1968 Cher-Make was approved as a USDA-certified processing facility, which allowed the company to sell its products outside of Wisconsin. This allowed Cher-Make to begin working with some of the largest mail-order food companies in the country. The company enjoys a reputation throughout its supplier network for testing and fine-tuning equipment at its facility, along with providing a safe and modern workplace for its employees. Chermak has served on the boards of the National Independent Meat Packers Association and the American Meat Institute. Working with other Wisconsin sausage-makers through the Lakeshore Sausage Manufacturers Association, Chermak was instrumental in establishing the current USDA regulations for semi-dry sausage. These regulations allow unrefrigerated summer sausage to be merchandised and sold. The revised rules have allowed many gourmet gift packer s and sausage processors to expand their markets by selling outside of traditional distribution channels -- through mail order, mall kiosks, fund-raising organizations and mass merchandisers. Chermak served on the board of directors of the Green Bay Packers for 15 years, and was a founder and board member of the Manitowoc County Bank, now operated by Firstar Bank. He has been involved in a number of civic fund-raising efforts in Manitowoc, including drives for the Wisconsin Maritime Museum, Capital Civic Centre, and Silver Lake College. Cher-Make has been the official hot dog at Lambeau Field for more than a decade, and the company has received numerous Seal of Excellence awards at the Wisconsin State Fair for its products. The Cher-Make Sausage Company remains under family ownership, with Art Chermak serving as chief executive officer and his son and nephews managing the company. Cher-Make today employs about 100 people. Chermak and his wife, Alice, have four children, Jim, Tom, Chris and Ann. The Chermaks currently spend their time between Manitowoc, Wis.; Scottsdale, Ariz.; and Egg Harbor, Wis.
ZIP Code: 54221
Latitude: 44.0888
Longitude: -87.6578
Arthur Thomas Chermak, 88, passed away peacefully, with his loving wife, Alice, and daughter Chris at his side, at Holy Family Memorial Hospital on Nov. 9.
Art was born in Manitowoc on Nov. 13, 1920, to Regina Bonk Chermak and Emil Chermak.
He attended Lincoln High School and graduated in 1938.
On Jan. 26, 1946, he married Anna Mae Knox and she preceded him in death in September of 1947.
He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Alice Marie Simons, whom he married on May 20, 1950, in Lima, Ohio.
Arthur was inducted into the service in October of 1942 and served in the 127th general hospital during World War II. He was stationed in England and France and was discharged in Dec. of 1945.
He was instrumental in the creation of Cher-Make Sausage Company; which he and his father started in 1928.
In the early days, he helped out by making sausage deliveries on a scooter for his father. During his high schools days, he spent much of his time at the sausage company as it was growing.
Eventually, he took over the company when it moved to its present location on Calumet Avenue.
Over the years, he was an active member of the meat industry including being a member of the Board of Directors of the American Meat Institute and a member of the National Independent Meat Packers Association. He was instrumental in starting Lakeshore Sausage Manufacturers Association; which helped establish standards in the industry for the area.
He was honored by being inducted into the Wisconsin Meat Industry Hall of Fame in 2001. Art remained an active voice over the years during which time the business grew to be a highly respected company in the meat industry. His son, Tom, is now president of the company and carries on the family's high standards.
Art and Alice were soul mates for 59 years. You would never see one without the other. One of their passions was travel. Along with their trips to Europe, they traveled across the country in their motor home, making friends wherever they went.
For many years, they enjoyed their getaways to Door County. They spent winters in Scottsdale, Arizona, where they also formed many lasting friendships. Together they raised four children, Jim, Chris, Ann and Tom, who were his pride and joy and supported him through his illness.
Art was a true Green Bay Packer fan and would seldom be seen without proudly wearing the Packer emblem on his shirt. He attended Super Bowl II in Miami and was there at the infamous "Ice Bowl" game in 1967. His 1996 Super Bowl ring was often the opener for a conversation and the start of a friendship as he and Alice traveled around. He served on the Board of Directors for the Green Bay Packers for 27 years.
He was an active Manitowoc community member. Art was one of the original Board of Directors of the Manitowoc County Bank from 1965-1988. Art was a 4th Degree Knights of Columbus, and a member of the Elk's Club, Manitowoc Yacht Club, and Branch River Country Club.
Along with his wife, Alice, he is survived by his four children: Dr. James Chermak, his wife Leslie and daughter Jessica of Grafton, Wisconsin; Chris Honzik, her husband, Peter, and children Alison Coulson of Madison, DJ Coulson of Milwaukee and Anna Honzik of Manitowoc; Ann Zimmer and her husband, Dr. Donald Zimmer, and their children Sara Pillsbury, Jeff, and Katherine of Englewood, Colorado; and Tom Chermak, his wife, Mary, and children Betsy and Billy of Manitowoc. He is also survived by his son in-law, Noah Pillsbury, and great-grandchildren Emma and Sienna Pillsbury.
He is also survived by his sister, Betty Hoefner, and her husband, Merlyn Hoefner, of Manitowoc. Five nieces and nephews; Judy Culligan, Margaret Miller, Elizabeth Becker, Greg Hoefner, and Chuck Hoefner and their families also survive Arthur.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2009, at St. Francis of Assisi on Waldo. Officiating at the Mass of Christian Burial will the Rev. Dan Felton. Immediately following the Mass military services will be accorded by the V.F.W. Otto Oas Post 659, of Manitowoc. A private burial service will take place at Calvary Cemetery at a later date.
Friends may call at the Pfeffer Funeral Home from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 13, 2009. A prayer service will be held at 7:30 p.m. led by Deacon Bob Beehner. The visitation will continue on Saturday at the funeral home from 9:30 a.m. until the time of morning prayers at 10:30 a.m.
Memorials may be made to Roncalli High School, the new St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School or to a charity of choice.
We would like to thank the numerous people who supported Art and his family through his illness. Thank you to Dr. Baatz and Dr. Giriyappa who continuously gave him the best medical attention, treatment and care. Thank you to the caring staffs at Holy Family Memorial Hospital and Home Care, and River's Bend Rehabilitation Center who comforted him and his family. We also thank Fr. Dan Felton who helped Art find peace in his final days.
From Green Bay Press Gazette
WISCONSIN MEAT INDUSTRY HALL OF FAME
Art Chermak grew up working after school in his father Emil's butcher shop in Manitowoc, helping to make and deliver Cher-Make sausage products. After serving in World War II, Chermak joined the family business, expanding the operation and opening a new Cher-Make Sausage Company plant at its present location on Calumet Avenue. Following his father's death in 1954, Chermak took over management of the plant. In 1968 Cher-Make was approved as a USDA-certified processing facility, which allowed the company to sell its products outside of Wisconsin. This allowed Cher-Make to begin working with some of the largest mail-order food companies in the country. The company enjoys a reputation throughout its supplier network for testing and fine-tuning equipment at its facility, along with providing a safe and modern workplace for its employees. Chermak has served on the boards of the National Independent Meat Packers Association and the American Meat Institute. Working with other Wisconsin sausage-makers through the Lakeshore Sausage Manufacturers Association, Chermak was instrumental in establishing the current USDA regulations for semi-dry sausage. These regulations allow unrefrigerated summer sausage to be merchandised and sold. The revised rules have allowed many gourmet gift packer s and sausage processors to expand their markets by selling outside of traditional distribution channels -- through mail order, mall kiosks, fund-raising organizations and mass merchandisers. Chermak served on the board of directors of the Green Bay Packers for 15 years, and was a founder and board member of the Manitowoc County Bank, now operated by Firstar Bank. He has been involved in a number of civic fund-raising efforts in Manitowoc, including drives for the Wisconsin Maritime Museum, Capital Civic Centre, and Silver Lake College. Cher-Make has been the official hot dog at Lambeau Field for more than a decade, and the company has received numerous Seal of Excellence awards at the Wisconsin State Fair for its products. The Cher-Make Sausage Company remains under family ownership, with Art Chermak serving as chief executive officer and his son and nephews managing the company. Cher-Make today employs about 100 people. Chermak and his wife, Alice, have four children, Jim, Tom, Chris and Ann. The Chermaks currently spend their time between Manitowoc, Wis.; Scottsdale, Ariz.; and Egg Harbor, Wis.
ZIP Code: 54221
Latitude: 44.0888
Longitude: -87.6578
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