Joseph Peter Merkes

Joseph P. Merkes
“Sam”
Appleton

Joe, “Sam”, Merkes went home to The Big Guy Upstairs on Sunday June 9th. He was born November 3, 1923 to the late Joseph A. and Marabelle (Wiegand) Merkes. Joseph married his loving bride, Evelyn ”Chubby” Kobussen on May 11th 1946 after returning from WW II. He joined the Army in 1942, earned 2 Bronze Battle stars for taking part in Normandy, setting up the Red Ball Express-3rd Army under General George Patton, and the Battle of the Bulge. One of his most memorable life experiences was the Liberation of Paris in 1945. He was preparing to be sent to Japan when the war ended. He was part owner, vice president, and parts manager of Winnebago Land Motors and Valley Leasing where he was known as Sam the Rambler Man. From there he opened Sam’s Citgo in Neenah. After retirement he volunteered at St. Vinnie’s in Appleton where he was known as the “shoe man”. He was known for his sense of humor and positive attitude. He loved his family, all critters, music, especially the boogie woogie and planting his garden.

He will be sadly missed by his bride of 56 years, Evelyn, his children Pat (Mike) Diamond, Kay (Tony) Theisen, Mike (Cheryl) Merkes, and Maggie Senger; his grand children Kristin (Greg) Stumpner, Lindy Malliet, Nat (Susan) Kennis, Michelle and Geoffrey Merkes, his great grand children Brianna and Bailey Stumpner, and Julieanne and Noah Kennis; his dear sister Rosemary Tiede and his special cousin George (Char) Diehl.

A funeral mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, June 12, 2002 at 4:00 PM at St. Bernard Catholic Church, 1617 West Pine Street in Appleton with the Rev. John Bergstadt officiating. Military honors will immediately follow the mass. The family will greet relatives and friends at the church on Wednesday from 2:00 PM until the time of the mass. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund is being established.

Pops, we all love you and will miss you, but your spirit, humor, quick wit, and favorite phrases will live on in all of us. See ya later Pops, but for now we’ll leave it for the night shift.

We would like to thank the Hospice nurses and our neighbors for their loving support.

WICHMANN FUNERAL HOME
537 North Superior Street
Appleton 739-1231
www.wichmannfuneralhomes.com