Passed away on May 6, 2010

Carroll L. Zillmer, age 75, of Black River Falls, died peacefully on Thursday, May 6, 2010 at his home surrounded by his family and under the care of Black River Memorial Hospice. Carroll Lawrence Zillmer was born on September 13, 1934 to Erwin and Viola (Carroll) Zillmer on the Erwin and Viola Zillmer family farm in the Shamrock area of Jackson County. He was raised on the family farm and graduated from Black River Falls High School in 1954. He married Ann Andersen from the Cataract/Sparta area in 1954. The family settled in Black River Falls in 1961. Carroll submitted his number to the military draft and entered the U.S. Army in 1955, training in microwave radio at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey. He spent his tour of duty in Japan working on military microwave towers and communications. Following his discharge from the Army, he returned to Black River Falls area in 1957. He owned and operated two milk routes for a time and was employed by various grading contractors. He next became employed by Proksch Construction Company of Iron River, MI, later by P. C. Kaiser Company of Portage, and then by Lunda Construction Company of Black River Falls for 15 years and worked on interstate highways from Milwaukee all the way into Minnesota. While with Lunda Construction, he also worked on many large bridges in the Green Bay and Sturgeon Bay areas, and various other locations including Appleton, Neenah, and Menasha. He was the crane operator for the Main Street Bridge project in Black River Falls in 1980 and later for the Melrose Bridge across the Black River. As a crane operator for Lunda Construction, he often said that it was the most interesting and satisfying job that anyone could have. Leaving construction work to be closer to his home, he became employed as the Public Works/Street Department Superintendent for the City of Black River Falls for 17 years. While working for the City of Black River Falls, Carroll started the city’s recycling program. He also assisted in establishing a cross country ski trail in the Town Creek Ravine and at the Skyline Golf Course. Following his retirement, he and his wife, Ann, became employed as Jackson County Court bailiffs under Judges Laabs and Lister. During his employment by the City of Black River Falls, he participated in building the “Back Nine” holes of the Skyline Golf Course in Black River Falls, driving a bulldozer for many hours and assisting other volunteers, until the course was ready for play two years later. He loved the Skyline Golf Course, was a member there, and played golf there for many years. He was honored to become a member of the Skyline Golf Course Wall of Fame. He served as the president of the Skyline Golf Course for two years and as the President of the Black River Falls Lions Club for two years. He also had been the president of the Black River Falls Jaycees and president of the Cataract Sportsmens Club. Carroll enjoyed deer hunting with his sons, grandchildren, and his brother-in-law, Bob Andersen, on the Andersen home farm and forests. He also enjoyed golfing, fishing, hunting, playing cards at the Skyline Club House, and walking the entire Black River Foundation Trail (4 ˝ miles). He also was an avid Packer and Badger fan. He and his wife, Ann, greatly enjoyed spending winters in Arizona for the past ten years. He was a member of the United Methodist Church of Black River Falls. He was also a past member of the Black River Falls Jaycees and the Black River Falls Lions Club. Carroll’s family was his pride and joy. He is survived by his wife, Ann; his four children, Debra (Dan Leaver) Zillmer MD, Roger (Janet Secord) Zillmer, David (Cheryle Sundeen) Zillmer, and Ronald (Lara Onstad) Zillmer; 8 grandchildren, Ryan, Christopher, Emily, Kristina, Keri, Daniel, Zachary, and Allison; 4 great grandchildren, Elina, Eva, Jasmyn, and Jordan; a brother, Jim (Ann) Zillmer; a sister, Shirley (Carl) Wilhelm; numerous other relatives; and a host of friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Erwin and Viola Zillmer. Carroll had arranged to donate his body to the University of Wisconsin Medical School, Madison, for the benefit of the education and training of medical students. A “Celebration of Life” for Carroll L. Zillmer will be held at 1 P.M. on Monday, May 10, 2010 at the Black River Falls United Methodist Church followed by military honors. Pastor Kathleen Jury will officiate. Family and friends are invited for visitation from 11:30 A.M. until 1 P.M. on Monday, May 10, at the United Methodist Church. Following the “Celebration of Life,” family and friends are invited to the Skyline Golf Course from 2 P.M. until 4 P.M. for refreshments and a time of sharing with Carroll’s family. The family prefers that tax deductible memorials be made either to the Black River Falls Area Foundation (in memo area of check, please write: Carroll L. Zillmer Memorial Fund), P. O. Box 99, Black River Falls, WI 54615 or to the Black River Memorial Hospice, 711 W. Adams St., Black River Falls, WI 54615. The Buswell Funeral Home, Black River Falls, is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences are available at www.buswellfuneralhome.com