Wayne Gerald Merfeld, 80, born in Beardsley, MN, on August 2, 1925, went peacefully to his heavenly home on May 22nd, 2006. He was the son of the late Darrell and Anna (Shaw) Merfeld. Raised in Cloquet, MN, Wayne enlisted in the Army Air Corp at the age of 17. He received pilot training at the University of Ohio, and trained for Gunnery and Armament in North Carolina. In 1945, after flying over 20 missions as a tail gunner, Sergeant Merfeld was honorably discharged. On November 23, 1946, Wayne married the love of his life, Frances Frazier, in Mason City, IA. He often commented, "If I had it to do over, I'd marry you all over again. Amen!" Moving to Kenosha in 1959, he continued his career in auto body at Jay-Bee Auto Body and Blazavier Auto body. In 1983, he opened American Collision Service, Inc. in Kenosha. Wayne was well known for his love of fishing, hunting, and restoring vintage automobiles. He was especially proud of his 1968 Mustang convertible. He was a member of the Kenosha Church of Nazarene and of Taylor Avenue Nazarene Church in Racine. He served on the church board, was chairman of Buildings and Properties and was a beloved Sunday School teacher. His faith in God set a living example to all who knew him. He is survived by his wife Frances; sister, Irene Gabe; six children, Darrell (Nancy) Merfeld, Cheryl (Doug) Samples, Gerald (Doreen) Merfeld, Merrill (Mary) Merfeld, Carol Stewart, and Jeneyl (Steve) Anglin; grandchildren, Jill Pageau, Scott and Mark Samples, Melissa and Daniel Merfeld, Tamara and Jacob Merfeld, Alaina and Seth Anglin, Jennifer Baum, Shari Gilchrist, and Patty and Lesley Hapanowicz; great-grandchildren; Michael and Taylor Pageau, and Kyle Gilchrist. His son-in-law, Larry Stewart, preceded him in death. He will be greatly missed by all. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, May 25th, 2006, at Taylor Avenue Church of Nazarene, 2100 Taylor Avenue, Racine, WI, at 10:00 am. Interment to follow at Sunset Ridge Memorial Park. Visitation will be held on Wednesday at Proko Funeral Home from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm.Proko Funeral Home and Crematory5111-60th StreetKenosha, WI 53144Phone: (262) 654-3533www.prokofuneralhome.com
Condolences
Mary Feest
Jeneyl, My condolences falls short of what I wish I could do for you and your family. I'm so sorry you lost your father so unexpectedly. It isn't easy even if you know ahead of time. I empathize with you. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Being close to one another will help you get through this. Know that your father is with Jesus and is , now, watching over all of you. God Bless you and your family, Mary, Gary and Ali Feest
Naomi Wilson
Dear Frances:We were shocked and saddened to hear of Wayne's passing. We rejoice with you in the fact that he is not gone but has passed on to his eternal existence with our Heavenly Father. We also grieve with you in this time of grief as you say goodbye to his earthly presence.We will always remember our times with your family and the love you have always shown for us as we were growing up and for my own children when we attended Taylor Avenue briefly. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family as you go through this time of grief and rejoicing. I hope to be able to see you at the visitation and funeral but I wanted to let you know we are thinking about you right now.Love,Naomi, Roxanne, Cecil and kids