James Merkel

James Merkel grew up an only child, but was quickly introduced , by marriage ,to becoming a step Dad to 4 children and eventually Grampy Jimmy to 7 grandchildren. If you ask him what he was most grateful for he would tell you Chardonnay, Fox News and the love and support of his family and wife. Jim grew up quickly and enlisted in the Air Force where he earned a Bachelors degree. His employment was mostly with IBM in the space industry. Later he became an instructor and mentor at Fl Institute of Technology. Following his retirement he enjoyed traveling to Europe with his wife , Berniece and taking his entire family on travel Adventures. Truly he was a rare combination of someone who loved life, good food and had a understanding of living life with those you love. If you ask people to describe Jim, you would get such answers as intelligent, giving, funny with a dry sense of humor, private and one who wrote his own rules and paved his own way. He was his own unique combination.

Of all the people he knew both willing and unwilling, his greatest love was his wife Berniece Merkel, who supported and cared for him physically during his last years of life. Please make contributions in his name to Bethesda Lutheran Community Base Home 600 Hoffman Dr Watertown, WI 53094.