David O Ahles

David O “Pops” Ahles, 95, of 480 Southgate Drive, Tomahawk, went home to Jesus, Wednesday, October 11, 2017 at Riverview Care Center in Tomahawk.

Dave was born December 8, 1921 to Otto and Julia Ahles in Mosinee, WI.  Pops grew up on the resort his Father and Mother built on Hancock Lake in the Harshaw area.  He was a graduate of Rhinelander High School and attended Stout University until enlisting in the Navy in 1942.  During WWII David proudly served as Fire Controlman 1st Class on the USS Talagi, an aircraft carrier stationed mainly in the Asiatic Pacific, and Philippine liberation arenas.

After an honorable discharge from the navy in 1946, David spent some time traveling on his beloved Harley Davidson before starting his own custom home building business with his brothers Ercel and Otto.  Many fine homes were constructed around the Northwoods by the Ahles Brothers.  David was a craftsman who could not pass up an opportunity to help numerous churches in Rhinelander, Antigo and Tomahawk with custom cupboards and altar enhancements.  He loved to say “Only God can create, man can only reshape”

Trains, trains, trains, Dave loved and collected model trains.

He is survived by his “Best Girl” Alma (Spangler) Ahles, his special adopted family Bob and Cindy Wescott, Stepchildren Neil (Cheryl) Whitaker and Alan (Mona) Whitaker, all of Tomahawk and Linda Berbaum-Whitaker of Brooklyn Park, MN.

David was preceded in death by his 1st wife Nell (Johnson) Ahles; 3 brothers, Ralph, Ercel, and Otto Ahles, and 1 sister Joyce Saxe.

Funeral Services with Military Rites for David “Pops” Ahles will be held on Tuesday, October 17, 2017 at 12:00 noon, from Redeemer Ev. Lutheran Church. Rev. Mark Gass will officiate. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the church Tuesday morning from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services at noon.