Martin Splittgerber

Martin F. Splittgerber, age 72 years, of Elroy, passed away on Sunday, November 2, 2008 at the St. Joseph’s Hospital in Hillsboro, Wisconsin.

He was born on January 6, 1936 to Martin J. and Verona (Krueger) Splittgerber in Clintonville, Wisconsin, where he grew to adulthood and graduated from the Clintonville High School in 1954.  He earned an athletic scholarship to Valparaiso University in Indiana and obtained a Degree in Education.  Martin served in the U.S. Army for two years before moving to Elroy, Wisconsin.  He became the Physical Education teacher at Royall High School and Basketball Coach, serving in both positions for many years.  Martin was united in marriage to Martha L. Nelson on September 5, 1964 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Kendall. 

Martin later earned his Master’s Degree as a Guidance Counselor from UW Platteville and also worked in that department at Royall.  A significant achievement from his Coaching was being inducted into the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame on August 9, 2000.  He was also active within the community, in addition to having served with the Elroy Lions Club and as a member of the St. Patrick’s Catholic Church.

Survivors include his wife, Martha of Elroy; five children, Scott (Virginia) Splittgerber of Brooklyn, New York, Kaylynn (Richard) McLain of Florence, WI, Susan (Rick) Klein of Onalaska, James Splittgerber of Reedsburg, and Micah (Sarah) Splittgerber of Stoughton; six grandchildren, Hunter, Dylan, and Blake McLain, Anya and Jonah Splittgerber, and Maxwell Klein; a brother, Robert (Tia) Splittgerber of DePere; and two sisters, Joyce (Jack) Kasper of Merrill and Connie (Dick) Rohan of Bear Creek, WI.