Merlin K. Gill

Merlin Gill, age 80 of Appleton passed away unexpectedly on Monday, October 15, 2018 at a local hospital. Merlin was born in Appleton on December 7, 1937, son of the late Gilbert and Lelah (Endres) Gill. From 1956 until 1962, he served in the United States Air Force and on June 6, 1967 married the former Leandra Delie Raiche. For many years, Merlin worked as a millwright at Thermo Electron in Kaukauna. Merlin was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Appleton, as well as the Johnston - Blessman Post #38 of the American Legion.

Survivors include his wife: Leandra Gill of Appleton; two children: Jeffrey Raiche-Gill of Middleton and Wendy (Matthew) Pitts of Menasha; four grandchildren: Amber Gill, Jenessa Gill, Donald Verkuilen, and Hunter Verkuilen; a brother: Mel (Judy) Gill of Greenville; four sisters: Betty (Don) Abel of Grand Chute, Audrey (Pete) Akmentins of Appleton, Shirley (Richard) Niemi of Grand Chute, and Sandra Ellenbecker of Appleton; and a brother-in-law: Andrew (Joy) Delie of Appleton. Merlin was preceded in death by his parents, brothers-in-law John Ellenbecker and James (Bonnie) Delie, Leandra’s first husband Ralph Raiche, and a niece Paula Delie.

Funeral services for Merlin will be held at 4:00 PM on Monday, October 22, 2018 at Grace Lutheran Church, located at 900 N. Mason Street in Appleton. Rev. Brian Bankert will officiate and full military honors will follow. Burial will take place at Highland Memorial Park. Family and friends are invited to gather at the church on Monday afternoon from 2:00 PM until the hour of the service.