Obit: Bartsch, Merle (1930 - 2011)

Contact:stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Bartsch, Handke, Cooper, Shavlik, Meddaugh

----Source: Marshfield News Herald (Marshfield, WI) 03/28/2011

Bartsch, Merle (14 AUG 1930 - 18 MAR 2011)

GRANTON -- Merle Bartsch, 80, of Granton, died suddenly, Friday, March 18, 2011, on the golf course in Fort Worth, Texas.

Merle Fred Bartsch was born Aug. 14, 1930, in Marshfield, the son of Fred and Clara (Handke) Bartsch. He attended school at country schools in Lynn and Franklin and Zion Lutheran parochial school. He attended Concordia Prep School in Milwaukee for two years and graduated from Granton High School. Merle then studied for a year at the State University of Stevens Point.

Merle spent 81/2 years as the President of First Choice Credit Union in Marshfield, retiring in 1996.

He is survived by his wife, Jane; five children, Connie (Gene Steffens) Bartsch of Neenah, Rick (Janeen Cooper) Bartsch of Stevens Point, Peter (Gail Shavlik) Bartsch of North Richland Hills, Texas, Kay (Loren Meddaugh) Bartsch of Eagle River, Ark., and Jay (Renee) Bartsch of Prescott; seven grandchildren, a brother, Donald (Lavonne) Bartsch of Granton.

A memorial service for Merle will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, March 31, 2011 at the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Granton. Interment will be in the Windfall Cemetery in Granton. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Gesche Funeral Home in Neillsville and from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Thursday at the Church.

The Gesche Funeral Home is assisting Merle's family with Funeral arrangements.

Visit www.GescheFH.com to express your condolences.