Emil Joseph Path, 89, of Sparta, reached his time to be with the Lord Thursday, November 27, 2008 surrounded by his wife and family at Lakeview Health Center, West Salem, WI. He was born on November 20, 1919 on the family farm in Clayton, WI to Michael and Marion (Ruff) Path. He was baptized at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Turtle Lake, WI. He attended the grade school across the field from their farm and attended high school in Clayton.

     Emil went to college in River Falls, WI. His senior year he enlisted in the Army infantry. He served 5 years in WWII and was stationed in Africa and Italy. While he was there, he shook hands with General Patton and President Roosevelt. He was wounded and received the Purple Heart.

      Emil met his wife, Donna Brennan, while on leave in St. Paul, MN. They married on June 22, 1946. He was discharged from the Army in April 1953. He then took a teaching job in Agriculture in Wilton, WI. In 1950, he taught at Bangor schools. In 1954, they moved to a farm near Ontario, WI. He also worked at the Bangor Cheese Factory.

     Emil and Donna attended St. Mary’s Ridge. Emil was very active in the Holy Name organization. He taught CCD classes for the sophomores for 7 years. He was a great gardener, fisherman, and loved his time spent in front of a slot machine.

     He is survived by his wife, Donna of Sparta; his children, Barb (Roger) Williams of St. Paul, MN, Jeri (Larry) Schroeder of St. Paul, MN, Dennis (Kathy) Path of Menomonee, WI, Doug (Jan) Path of Wilton, WI, Karen (Mike) Hanson of Reedsburg, WI, Tom Path of Sparta, Mary Path (Mark Fielder) of Houston, TX, and Terry Path of Sparta; 21 grandchildren; 27 great grandchildren; and a brother, Jerome (Phyllis) Path of Marysville, MI.

     He was preceded in death by his parents; 4 sisters, Rose, Helen, Mary, and Ann; 5 brothers, Joe, Mike, Adam, Louis, and John; and a daughter, Christine.

     Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday at 12 noon at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Sparta, with Father James Leary OFM Cap. officiating. Burial with full military honors provided by VFW Post 2112, Sparta, and American Legion Post 508, Wilton, will be in St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery, Sparta.

     Family and friends are invited to call at Lanham-Miller Funeral Home, Sparta, on Friday from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. and at the church on Saturday from 11 a.m. until time of services. In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the SPEAC fund.

     The Lanham-Miller Funeral Home, Sparta, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.