Jerome M. Merkes, 87, Wisconsin Rapids, father of a Plover woman, died Monday, Feb. 27, 2012, at Riverview Medical Center in Wisconsin Rapids.
Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Friday at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church in Wisconsin Rapids, with the Rev. Sahayanathan Nathan officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery in Wisconsin Rapids.
Visitation was scheduled to be held at Ritchay Funeral Home in Wisconsin Rapids from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, with a Knights of Columbus rosary at 6:30 p.m., and at the church from 10:30 a.m. Friday until the services.
Condolences may be offered online at www.ritchayfuneralhome.com.
Mr. Merkes was born June 3, 1924, in Rozellville, a son of the late Nicholas and Mary (Wagner) Merkes.
He served in the U.S. Marines during World War II.
He was married to Bertha M. Smazal on June 2, 1955, in Auburndale. She died on Jan. 30, 2004.
He was employed at Georgia Pacific (Domtar) for many years and also was a school bus driver for many years.
He was a member of the 3rd and 4th degree Knights of Columbus Council 1558 of Wisconsin Rapids and was a longtime usher at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Church.
Survivors include five sons, William (Peggy), Shakopee, Minn., Richard (Cheryl), Port Edwards, and Michael (Jennifer), Patrick and Raymond (Brenda), all of Wisconsin Rapids; two daughters, Judy (Al) Mancl, Marshfield, and Carol (Terry) Weir, Plover; three brothers, Norbert (Ann), Edgar, Al (Bea), Kenosha, and Hubert (Rosemary), Neosho; one sister, Beatrice Merkes, La Crosse; 15 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
He was also preceded in death by one son, James; and one sister, Loretta Matheson.
