Fourth Generation

25. Merlin Raymond SCHENDEL was born on 24 February 1925 in Wellington Township, Monroe County, WI.^11,29 He died on 25 October 2021 at the age of 96 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.²⁹ Obituary Note: "Merlin R. Schendel, 96, left this earth Monday, October 25, 2021, at Touch of Home in Tomah, WI, where he had lived with June, his wife of 75 years. He was born February 24, 1925, to Leo and Wanda Schendel in Wellington Township.

Merlin married June M. Lounsbury, February 14, 1946, at St. Matthew Lutheran Church on South Ridge, where he had been baptized and confirmed. Together, they farmed near Ontario, WI, until his retirement in 1987. The community saw Merlin as a leader. He was elected President of the School Board of Red Brick one-room country school when his older daughter started school. He retained that position until the school closed, and students were bussed to Ontario. Before retirement he served on the ASCS County Committee for 9 years and was a member of St. Matthew Lutheran Church Council. For a number of years Merlin and June wintered at their second home in Horseshoe Bend, Arkansas, where he volunteered at the recycling center.

Merlin was preceded in death by his parents; sister Esther an infant brother Kenneth Dean; and a sons-in-law Karl Ferguson and Al Klaser.

Merlin is survived by his wife June; children, Patricia (Bill) Stevens of Ft. Collins, CO, Barbara Mundinger of Tomah, WI, Ellen Ferguson of Orlando, FL, Paul (Gina) Schendel of Tomah, WI, Paula Klaser of Ocean Springs MS, and Michael (Junko) Schendel of Yigo, Guam; 12 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; along with many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Funeral Services will be held Friday, October 29, 2021, 11:00 a.m. at the St. Matthews Lutheran Church on South Ridge, rural Ontario, WI. Pastor Larry Neitzel will officiate. Family and friends are invited for visitation from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service at the church. Burial will take place at a later date in the South Ridge Cemetery."

Merlin Raymond SCHENDEL and June LOUNSBURY were married on 14 February 1946 in South Ridge, Wilton Township, Monroe County, WI.^4,29,30 June LOUNSBURY, daughter of Harry LOUNSBURY and Lola BARTO, was born in 1927 in Fond du Lac, Fond du Lac Township, Fond du Lac County, WI.⁴