Merlin was born on September 18, 1948, in Audubon, Iowa to Vernon Julius Nielsen and Virginia Louise Nielsen (Andersen). He was born at home in a bedroom, and many have surmised his desire to be early for everything started at this very moment. His family eventually settled in Southern California. As a child, he relished in playing little league, helping his dad around the house, and running wild and free through the neighborhood with his many childhood friends. He graduated from El Cajon Valley High School in 1966 where he earned the nickname Merl the Pearl. During high school, he continued his interest in baseball and also joined the wrestling team. His love for baseball never waned; he joined adult leagues and later taught his daughters to pitch and swing a bat in the backyard of their Lakeside home. His admiration for cars and trucks grew and grew and he owned many dream cars during his lifetime. He enjoyed attending NASCAR races with friends and family and frequented car shows of all kinds; if it had wheels, he was interested.
Merlin was drafted into the Army in 1969 during the Vietnam War. He served honorably in Vietnam and was a proud war veteran. He also became very outspoken about the human cost of war and the toll it takes on service members and their families – during and after.
Merlin married Nance Gentry in 1974, and they soon had two daughters. They lovingly raised their family in Lakeside, California. Merlin was a welder by trade but worked most of his life in construction and concrete. Later, he spent many years caring for people with developmental disabilities in a group home setting. Even though Nance and Merlin would end their marriage, in time, they forged a friendship and extended the family through new marriages, and all enjoyed gathering together for family events.
Merlin met his wife Lori in 2002, and they married in 2014. They enjoyed traveling and spending time together, visiting their children and grandchildren, seeing new places and enjoying life with their beloved pups, Benji and Gracie. When Merlin became ill, Lori cared for him with love and determination, through all the ups and downs of illness, until his very last breath.
Merlin made friendships that would last his lifetime on the baseball field, in the classroom, on the streets of his neighborhood, during military service, and during his work. Gathering with old friends and sharing stories and memories, no matter how much time had passed, was time well spent for Merlin.
Merlin had many interests and hobbies, but nothing was more important to him than spending time with his family. He was certainly funny, and we all loved to hear him laugh until he would fall back into a fit of hiccups that wouldn’t quit. He will be missed by all who knew him and loved him.
Merlin is survived by his wife, Lori Rielly Nielsen; daughters, Kelley Jolene Nielsen-Radtke (Lakeside, CA), Marlin Louise White (Lakeside, CA); stepsons, Lucas Michael Grider (Claremont, CA), Bradley Cameron Grider (Brea, CA); grandsons, Wesley Halo White and Carter Dean White (parents, Marlin and James White), Johnny Lucas Grider (parents, Lucas Grider and Nickey Peterson); siblings, Linda Louise Brewer (Lakeside, CA), Kris Ailene Harper (Chippewa Falls, WI). Preceded in death by Vernon Julius Nielsen (father), Virginia Louise Nielsen (mother), Marvin Lee Nielsen (brother).
A committal service is scheduled for January 6, 2020, at 11:00 am, at Miramar National Cemetery, 5795 Nobel Drive San Diego, California 92122. All are welcome to attend and honor Merlin’s life.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation to:
Final Honor, Horse Drawn Funeral Carriage at Miramar National Cemetery. Information and donation website, finalhonor.net
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