Robert “Bob” Henry Merkling, 74, of Littlefork, Minn., passed away Wednesday, May 30, 2012, in Littlefork.
Bob was born Jan. 17, 1938, in Littlefork.
He attended Littlefork High School and was a lifelong resident of Littlefork.
He served in the United States Air Force as an aircraft mechanic. From March to November 1955, he was stationed at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas. From November 1955 to November 1957, he was stationed in Fairbanks, Alaska, and from November 1957 to March 1959, he was stationed at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia.
He returned to Littlefork, and for a short time he worked in the woods. In September 1959, he began work for Mando/Boise Cascade and worked there until retiring in November of 2000 with 40 years of service.
He also did a little farming, and owned and operated Merkling’s Welding from 1966 until present.
He was married to Susan Lewis from 1967 to 1986, and had three children.
Bob married Shirley Pugh on Aug. 1, 1992. They loved to travel, and in 1995, went to Germany and toured eight countries.
Bob had a zest for life and believed in living life to the fullest. He never met a stranger — just a friend he hadn’t talked to yet.
He loved fishing, hunting, spending time with his family, traveling, working in his shop and playing cribbage.
He took great pride in being from Littlefork and was more than happy to share that information with whomever he met.
He was never without a pen and a napkin as he loved to figure out solutions to problems.
Bob could be found driving through town in his blue Dodge pickup with a load of iron behind or driving his golf cart. He had a love of anything electronic.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Tony and Jean Merkling; granddaughter, Sarah Jean Merkling; and nephew, Clinton Bahr.
Bob is survived by his wife, Shirley Merkling of Littlefork, Minn.; children, Anthony “Tony” Grandbois, of Baudette, Shelly Merkling of International Falls, Steve “Bear” (Trish) Merkling of Isanti, Minn., Shelley (Bob) Oswald of St. James, Minn., and Mike (Lori) Etienne of International Falls; grandchildren, Mark Etienne, Matt (Erin) Etienne, Brandi (Dawn) Etienne, Sarah (Jesse) Delacerda, Kassie Dotzler, Jessica Dotzler and Heather Krall; great-grandchildren, Logan, Blair and Hannah; sisters, Doris Schattschneider and Linda Bahr; nieces and nephew, Susan (Jeff) True, Clayton (Lisa) Bahr and Cindy (Jeremy) Hasbargen.
Visitation was from noon to 2 p.m. Sunday, June 3, at Green-Larsen Mortuary.
Funeral services with full military rites will be conducted at 1 p.m. Monday, June 4, at Littlefork-Big Falls High School new gymnasium.
Interment will be at Oakley Cemetery.
Condolences may be left at www.greenlarsen.com.
Arrangements are with Green-Larsen Mortuary Inc., International Falls.
