Phillip J. “Phil” Muench, who grew up on the family farm in Boice Creek and graduated from Lancaster High School in 1986, worked more than three decades printing newspapers in southwestern Wisconsin.
In 1988, two years after graduating from Lancaster High School, he joined the staff of his hometown newspaper, the Grant County Herald Independent. He quickly took over as head pressman for Lancaster Newspapers, and he continued in the role for Morris Newspapers of Wisconsin, overseeing the printing of all of the company’s southwestern Wisconsin publications.
During a time when many newspapers were shrinking and consolidating, Muench managed the expansion of the original 1972 press — a project that moved the newspaper into the 21st century. He worked tirelessly to put out quality products and always made his co-workers feel like family.
After 32 years with the Herald-Independent, Muench died on Dec. 10 after an extended battle with COVID-19. He was 52.
