Obit: Paul, Merlin E. (1927 - 2009)

Transcriber: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Ekern, Gust, Lindholm, Paul, Ringle, Schulz

----Source: The Record - Review (Abbotsford, WI) 12/30/2009

Paul, Merlin E. (4 JUN 1927 - 27 DEC 2009)

Merlin E. Paul, 82, Edgar, died Sunday, December 27, 2009 at his home.

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday, December 31, 2009 at St. Stephen Ev. Lutheran Church, Edgar. Rev. LaDonna Ekern will officiate. Burial will be in the Edgar Cemetery, with full military honors conducted by the Marathon American Legion Post #469.

Friends may call Wednesday from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Edgar and again Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until time of services at the church. A prayer service will be led by the Marathon American Legion Post #469 at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday evening at the funeral home.

He was born June 4, 1927 in the town of Rib Falls, son of the late Walter and Alice (Ringle) Paul. On September 4, 1954, he married Ruth Ringle at St. Stephen Ev. Lutheran Church, Edgar. She survives.

Merlin was a veteran of the United States Army and served during the Korean War. He first worked as a machinist in the Milwaukee area and then went on to own and operate the former Paul's Service Station in Wausau. Merlin farmed in the Rib Falls area for 20 years until his retirement. He served on the Marathon Public School board and was a past president; he was also a past director of the Cassel Garden Co-op.

For many years, he was a member and past commander of the American Legion Alois Dreikosen Post #469, Marathon. Merlin was an active and dedicated member of St. Stephen Ev. Lutheran Church, and he was an avid sportsman during his retirement years. He was a resourceful person, gifted with many talents and innovations, and ready to lend a helping hand whenever needed.

Survivors include, his wife, Ruth Paul, Edgar; four children, Dave (Kim) Paul, Eden Prairie, Minn., Stephanie (Greg) Lindholm, Maplewood, Minn., Philip (Joan) Paul, St. Louis, Mo. and Keith (Anne) Paul, Marathon; six grandchildren, Kelly, Erin, Alyssa, Lucas, Elizabeth and Katherine; two sisters, Norma Schulz, Rib Falls and Carolla (Walter) Gust, Richland Center; and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Harold and Oscar.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Edgar Area Circle of Joy or the St. Stephen Project Fund.

Online condolences at www.petersonkraemer.com.