Philip John Marklein

Philip John Marklein, age 90, of Spring Green, died on Friday, August 5, 2022, at UW Hospital in Madison. Phil was born on December 11, 1931, to Irvin and Susan (McPhillips) Marklein in Spring Green.

Phil gained a lifelong work ethic growing up on the family farm in Clyde, was schooled at the local one-room schoolhouse and graduated from Lone Rock High School. On October 25, 1952, Phil was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart Mary “Rita” Moran at St. Malachy’s Catholic Church in Clyde. Phil joined the Army and achieved the rank of Corporal in the US Signal Corps during the Korean War and was stationed at the Pentagon.

Phil and Rita returned to Wisconsin and made their home in Spring Green, where he resided until his death. Phil was a hard worker in whatever he did, initially working at the Truck O’Tel Shell Station in Spring Green, later at Heber’s Chevrolet Motors and then the 76 Truck Stop. Phil went to work for Hartung Brothers as one of their first full-time employees returning to his farming roots as a mechanic/farmer until a series of strokes forced Phil into early retirement at age 59.

Phil was a volunteer fireman with the Spring Green Fire Department and served as its Fire Inspector after his strokes. He could be found at the Fire Station doing odd jobs including mowing the lawn. Phil was also a charter member of the Spring Green Ambulance District as an Emergency Medical Technician – EMT License Number 897. Phil was also active in Spring Green American Legion Post 253, was a member of its Honor Guard and was one of the original members of the BBQ chicken crew for many years. Phil also served as its Chaplain.

Phil was a life-long member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Spring Green. Phil served his parish wherever needed, whether it was as an usher, trimming the bushes, inserting fliers into the bulletins for many years, or selling St. John’s Funfest tickets. Phil and Rita also brought Holy Communion to those in Greenway Manor, Greenway Terrace, the Meadows Assisted Living and the homebound for many years.

Phil was a frequent volunteer for his community, friends, and family. He loved volunteering at school. Phil was a loyal blood donor for the American Red Cross. After his strokes, he volunteered at Meriter in Day Rehab having accumulated 3,620 volunteer hours. Phil also spoke to in/outpatient stroke survivors and their families. After his strokes, he developed the motivational strategy he called the four “F’s”: Faith (and Prayer), Family, Friends and Fun! Phil loved life and having fun. He said his strokes were not going to stop that and called them “My Stroke of Luck”.

Phil is survived by his wife, Rita, and daughters, Kathleen (Joseph) Loy, Fennimore; Coreen Marklein, Baraboo; Mary (Bryan) Reeve, Spring Green; Karen Marklein, Spring Green; and Marsha (Philipp) Marty, Madison. He is survived by four grandsons: Jason Loy, Fennimore; Kory Loy, Atlanta, GA; Kristopher (girlfriend Sara) Loy, Madison; and Douglas Harvey, Green Bay; and two great-grandchildren Aidan and Elizabeth Loy, Madison. Phil is also survived by his brother Donald (Carol) Marklein and Susan (Phillip) McCarville both of Janesville and sister-in-law Marlene Marklein, Dodgeville, sister-in-law Catherine Hoffman, Madison, and sister-in-law Helen Strickland, Tallahassee, FL, “adopted” son Joe (Bonnie) Bindl, and many relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and Bess Marklein; brothers Robert, George, James, Leo, and William Marklein and his sisters Margaret Dimick and Catherine Meinel.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Spring Green Thursday, August 11, 2022, at 11:00 A.M. concelebrated by Rev. Fr. Garrett Kau, Rev. Fr. Patrick Wendler, and Rev. Fr. Richard Leffler. Burial with full military rites provided by the Spring Green American Legion Post #253 will be held at St. John’s Catholic Cemetery immediately following the Mass. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 10, 2022, at the Church from 4 pm to 7 pm with a rosary to be prayed at 3:30 pm. by Rev. Fr. Richard Leffler. Visitation will also be held on Thursday from 10 am until the time of Mass.

Thank you to the Plain and Spring Green Fire and EMS for their response and the healthcare professionals who cared for Dad through the years.

Online condolences are available at www.staffordfuneralhomes.com. The Richardson-Stafford Funeral Home in Spring Green is assisting the family with the arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the family for a future donation to a charity of their choice.

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