Merle Menzel

MERLE F. MENZEL

Marion

Merle F. Menzel, 92, of Marion, passed away Monday, Nov. 27, 2017, at his home. The family will greet friends from 9 to 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 1, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Marion. Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m., conducted by Father David O'Connor. Burial will take place with military honors provided by American Legion Post 298 at Mount Calvary Cemetery, Cedar Rapids. Arrangements by Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Marion.

Merle was born March 25, 1925, in Dubuque, Iowa, the son of Joseph and Louise (Clemens) Menzel. At the age of 18, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. Merle received the Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Infantryman Badge in the Battle of the Bulge during World War II. He graduated from Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa, in 1947 and furthered his education at Dunwoody Institute in Minneapolis. On Dec. 29, 1952, Merle was united in marriage to Mary Lou Trenkle in Dubuque. He was an engineer at Iowa Electric Light and Power Co.

Merle was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Marion.

Merle was a ski instructor and was an avid downhill skier until he was 88. He also enjoyed model airplanes and wood carvings. Merle loved airplanes and had his pilot's license. He volunteered at the EAA Oshkosh Airshow for many years.

Merle is survived by his wife, Mary; two daughters, Sue (Don) Beitzel and Jean (Tom) Hoffmann; three grandchildren, Sarah (Chris) Sloane, Nick (Jessica Baltzley) Voss and Elizabeth (Tyler) Wright; seven great-grandchildren, Joseph, Norah, Chloe, Olivia, Joshua, and Caroline Sloane and Rowan Voss; brother, Joseph (Mary) Menzel; and sister, Ann Menzel.

He was preceded in death by his parents and daughter, Katherine Menzel.

In lieu of flowers, please make a gift in Merle's memory to Camp Courageous, 12007 190th St., Monticello, IA 52310.

Please share a memory of Merle at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.