Obit: Krehmeyer, Merle A. (1924 - 2011)

Contact: Dolores Mohr Kenyon

Email: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Krehmeyer, Medearis, Dein, Beales         

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI.) July 20, 2011

Krehmeyer, Merle A. (28 August 1924 - 7 July 2011) With flag

Merle A. Krehmeyer, 86, of Neillsville died Thursday, July 7, 2011, at Neillsville Care and Rehabilitation Center.

Merle was born Aug. 28, 1924, in Kearney, NE, to the late Dietrich and Josephine (Medearis) Krehmeyer.  He received his schooling in Omaha.  Merle quit school at a young age to work as a golf caddie in Omaha. Shortly thereafter, he volunteered to serve in the Civilian Conservation Corp in western Nebraska.  When World War II broke out, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps. During the war, he served as a B-24 armored in the Pacific theatre regions of Guam through Saipan.

Merle married the love of his life, Joy Dein, Feb. 18, 1947.  In 1953, Merle and Joy moved to Neillsville, where they purchased a dairy farm.  Merle helped Joy on the dairy farm, but during those years he held several truck driving jobs, first for Leo Klein Trucking in Marshfield and later with John Wuethrich Creamery of Greenwood.

When not driving truck or farming, Merle enjoyed searching for buried treasure with his metal detector and antiquing.  He especially loved spending weekends with his kids boating and fishing in Hatfield.  In recent years, his most favorite pastimes were collecting and restoring old farm toys and collecting guns and coins.  Merle was a fun, down to earth man with a bit of a tough exterior and stubborn side that he used to mask the loving character we all knew was inside.

Merle is survived by his sons, Gary (Delores) Krehmeyer of Spencer, Dan (Linda) Krehmeyer, Jerry (Melva) Krehmeyer and Randy (Cheryl) Krehmeyer, all of Neillsville; 10 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Faye Beales of Omaha, NE; brother-in-law, Wayne Dein of Blair, NE; nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Joy.

At his request, no formal service will be held.  A private family service is planned.  Memorials can be sent in his name to the Disabled American Veterans.

Evergreen Funeral Home and Crematory in Eau Claire is serving the family.

To send your condolences to the family, see obituaries at www.evergreenfuneralhome.com.