Merlin Ray Swan

Merlin Ray Swan was born on December 10, 1936, in Shell Lake, Wisconsin to parents Ray and Shirley Swan. He grew up west of Shell Lake and graduated from Shell Lake High School in 1954. After high school, he worked various jobs in Wisconsin, the Dakotas, and in the Cities. Merlin was inducted into the U.S. Army in 1959 and actively served for two years, spending time in Germany, until 1961 when he was discharged from the Army and transferred to the Army Reserve. He was united in marriage to Patricia Wetzel on April 16, 1966, at St. Alban Episcopal Church in Spooner. The couple resided in Spooner and Merlin worked at the Spooner Creamery for a short time until he became employed at the Spooner Post Office where he would work 29 years, until 1994, when he retired due to health reasons. Merlin also hobby farmed, raising beef cattle on his farm west of Shell Lake until 1994. He was a member of the AMVETS serving as chaplain, American Postal Union, and the Northwest Stroke Club in Rice Lake where he served as a mentor. Merlin also served as a Cub Scout Leader for his children, enjoyed watching sports, hunting, fantasy football, reading, and was a member of the Spooner Wesleyan Church.

Merlin is survived by his wife Patricia, sons: Ed (Kelly), Steve (Denise), Bob (Penny), daughter Jennifer (Matt) Skogstad, all of Spooner, 9 grandchildren: Cody Swan, Kyndra Hedlund, Derek Swan, Karly Swan, Mariah Skogstad, Gatlin Swan, Garrett Swan, Jessica Lindblom, and Brian Lindblom, sisters: Janice Stariha of Watertown, WI, Jean (Bill) Hickox of Hudson, WI, Joyce (Curt) Lundgren of Amery, WI, and brother Dennis (Kerry) of Shell Lake, WI. Merlin is preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation for Merlin Swan will be held on Wednesday, February 26, 2014, at the Dahl Funeral Home from 4-7pm, and also on Thursday, February 27, at the Spooner Wesleyan Church from 10-11 am at which time a memorial service will be held. Pastor LeRoy Drake will officiate. Interment will follow with Military Honors at the Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery south of Spooner on Hwy 53.