Obituary
Merlin Dean Meyer
Merlin Dean Meyer, age 79, of the West Salem, WI area passed away peacefully on December 27, 2021. He was born on December 9, 1942, to Eldo and Mildred Meyer. Merlin’s tremendous work ethic and mechanical aptitude evolved from his early years growing up on the family farmstead in northeastern Iowa.
He married the love of his life and the person he was most fond of playfully teasing, Sandra Uher, on October 22, 1966. Merlin and Sandy were blessed to spend 55 enjoyable years as man and wife. In recent years, they collectively relished the simple pleasures of watching birds gather at their many feeders and caring for their beloved animals.
Merlin and Sandy made their first home together in Elkader, IA where Merlin repaired farm equipment for the John Deere Implement. For decades, he proudly served as a member of the Wisconsin National Guard, which in time, would lead him to accept a job specializing in machinery at the Onalaska Armory and prompt the family to relocate to West Salem, WI. Merlin would eventually take another position in facilities maintenance and years later he would retire from Empire Screen Printing. However, he was not done working by any stretch of the imagination. Among countless other projects, he would continue his side gig of welding utility trailers in his garage, completing over 600 in total. Merlin was a skilled welder and metal fabricator.
While he often downplayed his talents, Merlin was also a resourceful do-it-yourself craftsman. He remodeled several houses for his family to reside in over the years, bringing new life to old dwellings. His industriousness inspired a can-do spirit in all those who knew him.
Although you would most often find Merlin in his garage workspace, he occasionally dabbled in more traditional hobbies. He had a lifelong interest in flight, was a member of the Experimental Aviation Association, and even crafted the frame of a small two-seater airplane in his basement. Merlin had a fondness for nature and travel. He took many trips to the western regions of the United States and would bring back rocks from these and several other excursions. His goldmining hobby led to a much-enjoyed Alaskan adventure. One of his greatest joys was using his good-natured but somewhat mischievous sense of humor to bring smiles to those around him.
Merlin will be deeply missed by his surviving family; sister Norma Korte, beloved wife Sandra, children Shanneon (Todd) Grant, Jeffery (Julie) Meyer, Jonathan (Janet) Meyer, grandchildren Trevor, Julius, Evan, Jetta, and numerous siblings-in-law, cousins, nieces, nephews, friends, neighbors, pets and “grand pets.” He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Esther Engelhardt and Linda Moeller, as well as several special in-laws, relatives, and cherished pets.
The family would like to express heartfelt appreciation to the caring medical staff and nurses that Merlin came to know during his many hours of treatment at the Mayo Clinic Cancer Center in La Crosse.
A memorial service will be held at 1:00 pm on Monday, January 3, 2022 at Mindoro Presbyterian Church, N8289 Church Street, Mindoro, WI 54644 with visitation from 11:30 am until the time of service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the West Salem American Legion or the Coulee Region Humane Society.
Merlin was so special to our family, as a ‘brother’ to my husband Joe and an ‘adopted’ uncle to daughters Cathy and Nichole. The Meyer family was simply an extension of our own family, so many special memories over many years, Merlin will truly be missed, our hearts are saddened by his passing.
Merlin was a one of a kind stand up guy. When I was in middle school/ high school and friends with Shanneon, he was so funny and sweet. His family was the most important thing to him, and it was obvious how much he loved you all.
Please know my thoughts and prayers are with you all. Hugs, Lois
My condolences to Sandy, Jeff, Julie and the rest of Merlin’s family. I had the honor to work with Merlin at the Onalaska Armory and got to know Sandy through him. Their smiles and kindness have always been treasured by me. I saw these same traits in Jeff and Julie as I got to work with them as well. He is someone I thought of often, with a smile and will continue to. God bless to you all!
I worked with Merlin at Empire for years he always told me jokes and made me laugh , Empire had a few Christmas party at nutbush he would buy me shots to see how goofy I would get . And after he quit working at Empire he would come once in a while and talk to me . I’m glad I got to be his friend every time I think of him it makes me smile he was a all around good guy . God bless Merlin Rest In Peace. Prayers and hugs you Jeff and all of his family
So sorry to hear about Merlin I will miss talking to him about his brandy that we used to have at empire dawn adamson
So sorry to hear about Merlin I will miss talking to him about his brandy that we used to have at empire dawn adamson
My deepest condolences to Sandy, Shanneon ,Jeff Merlin was a great guy Rest in peace Merlin
So sorry Sandy, Jeff, Julie, John , Janet, Shanneon for your loss. Merlin was a great person, I worked with Merlin at Empire and enjoyed his jokes, when I quit Empire I used to see him at Menards alot he would always give me a hug and ask how I was doing. Im glad I got to know him. He will be missed!
Linda said she always felt safe at the farm because she knew that Merlin was watching out for us. We are sure going to miss him. He was one of a kind.