Lester E. Merten's Obituary
Lester E. "Les" Merten, age 85, of Oshkosh, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, March 16, 2013. He was born in Oshkosh to Ervin and Leona (Baerwald) Merten on April 12, 1927. Les served his country in the US Army from 1943-1945 serving as a Medic in Shanghi, China. Les married La Verne Wilke on May 5, 1951 and they had two children, a son David and daughter Shari. La Verne preceded him in death 1989. He married Pat Drumwright on April 27, 1991. Les worked at the Neenah Foundry and the Leach Company and after retirement he worked at First English Lutheran Church, Rumhlows, Seefeld Funeral Chapels and Poeschels Manufacturing. Les greatly enjoyed bowling, golf and caring for his red 1972 Oldsmobile convertible. Les will also be remembered for his home made lighted yard emblems at his home on the corner of South Park Ave. and Ohio St. Les also was the "guy in the recliner in the window" at the same address. He enjoyed waving at people as they drove by and honked their horns at him. He will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him.
He is survived by and his memory will be cherished by his wife Pat; son, David Merten; a daughter, Shari (Scott Stenerson) Schroeder; step-children, Susan Botts and Steve Drumwright. He is further survived by other relatives and many dear friends.
Funeral services for Les will be held on Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at 5:00 p.m. in the Fiss & Bills-Poklasny Funeral Home, 865 S. Westhaven Dr. in Oshkosh. The Rev. Ralph Hanusa will officiate. The service will be followed by full military honors. A time of visitation and support will be held for the Merten family at the funeral home on Wednesday from 3:00 p.m. until the time of service. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund will be established. The family wishes to thank the staff at the Bethel Home for making his last stay there as enjoyable as possible. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the:
Fiss & Bills-Poklasny Funeral Home
865 S. Westhaven Dr.
920-235-1170
www.fissbillspoklasny.com
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