Merlin W. Degnitz, 89, of the town of Farmington, passed away on Wednesday, February 15, 2012, at his home.
He was born on September 7, 1922, in the town of Farmington, the son of the late Carl W. and Elsie (Mueller) Degnitz, and on March 25, 1944, while at home on leave from the service, he was united in marriage to Marjorie Laatsch at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in St. Michaels. Marjorie preceded Merlin in death on March 19, 2009.
Merlin served his country in the U. S. Coast Guard during World War II. Merlin and Marjorie made their home on the family homestead and operated the dairy farm until 1977. In 1964, the couple began a bus service business serving the area of the town of Farmington. In 1972, they began serving the Random Lake area and from 1974 to 1997, they expanded service into the Ozaukee County area. At 89 years of age, Merlin was still active in the business he and his wife started.
Merlin was very involved in his community. He served on the Fillmore State Grade School Board and the town of Farmington School Board. He was a member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church in St. Michaels, the Fillmore Fire Department, the Fredonia American Legion, Fillmore Turners, Moose Lodge West Bend 1398 and St. Germain Bo-Boen Snowmobile Club. Merlin will fondly be remembered as an avid Brewer fan.
Those Merlin leaves behind to cherish his memory include four children, Mary Carol (Robert) Shoemaker and Carl H. (Judy) Degnitz both of Fredonia, Beverly J. Zimdars and Jane (Vincent) Meyer both of Kewaskum; two brothers, Donald (Anita) Degnitz of Lisle, Illinois and Roger (Rosalyn) Degnitz of Fredonia; a sister, Shirley (Raymond) Lubbert of Hartford; a sister-in-law, Adeline Schoofs of the town of Kewaskum; two brothers-in-law, Gerald Klumb and Allen (Mary) Puestow both of West Bend; ten grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, seven step-grandchildren, five step-great-grandchildren, other relatives and many friends.
In addition to his wife and parents, Merlin was preceded in death by two infant brothers, Carl and Wallace; three sisters, Janet Puestow, Betty Klumb and Bernice (Willard) Hammen and a brother-in-law, Theodore Schoofs.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Merlin was held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 18, 2012, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, 8881 Forest View Road in St. Michaels. Father Edwin Kornath officiated and burial, with military honors rites, followed in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Little Kohler.
Relatives and friends called at the church on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Mass.
The Miller Funeral Home in Kewaskum was entrusted with Merlin's arrangements
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He was born on September 7, 1922, in the town of Farmington, the son of the late Carl W. and Elsie (Mueller) Degnitz, and on March 25, 1944, while at home on leave from the service, he was united in marriage to Marjorie Laatsch at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in St. Michaels. Marjorie preceded Merlin in death on March 19, 2009.
Merlin served his country in the U. S. Coast Guard during World War II. Merlin and Marjorie made their home on the family homestead and operated the dairy farm until 1977. In 1964, the couple began a bus service business serving the area of the town of Farmington. In 1972, they began serving the Random Lake area and from 1974 to 1997, they expanded service into the Ozaukee County area. At 89 years of age, Merlin was still active in the business he and his wife started.
Merlin was very involved in his community. He served on the Fillmore State Grade School Board and the town of Farmington School Board. He was a member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church in St. Michaels, the Fillmore Fire Department, the Fredonia American Legion, Fillmore Turners, Moose Lodge West Bend 1398 and St. Germain Bo-Boen Snowmobile Club. Merlin will fondly be remembered as an avid Brewer fan.
Those Merlin leaves behind to cherish his memory include four children, Mary Carol (Robert) Shoemaker and Carl H. (Judy) Degnitz both of Fredonia, Beverly J. Zimdars and Jane (Vincent) Meyer both of Kewaskum; two brothers, Donald (Anita) Degnitz of Lisle, Illinois and Roger (Rosalyn) Degnitz of Fredonia; a sister, Shirley (Raymond) Lubbert of Hartford; a sister-in-law, Adeline Schoofs of the town of Kewaskum; two brothers-in-law, Gerald Klumb and Allen (Mary) Puestow both of West Bend; ten grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, seven step-grandchildren, five step-great-grandchildren, other relatives and many friends.
In addition to his wife and parents, Merlin was preceded in death by two infant brothers, Carl and Wallace; three sisters, Janet Puestow, Betty Klumb and Bernice (Willard) Hammen and a brother-in-law, Theodore Schoofs.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Merlin was held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 18, 2012, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, 8881 Forest View Road in St. Michaels. Father Edwin Kornath officiated and burial, with military honors rites, followed in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Little Kohler.
Relatives and friends called at the church on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Mass.
The Miller Funeral Home in Kewaskum was entrusted with Merlin's arrangements