John Leo Merkel

John (Jack) Leo Merkel died peacefully at home surrounded by family on March 10, 2023.
John was born in Mikado in August 1930 and was the first of six children born to Leo and Melissa (Nevin) Merkel. John was Frank and Martha Merkel's first grandchild.
After high school John proudly served in the U.S. Navy from January 1948 until December 1951 when he was honorably discharged. After the Navy, John began his career as a heavy equipment operator and was a proud member of Operating Engineers for greater then 60 years.
On March 7, 1953 John married his sweetheart Barbara Ann Adams. On March 7 Jack and Barb celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary.
Together, they had four children, Christy Merkel, Dorey (Mike) Osbun, Jerry (Robin) Merkel and Fonda (Brian) Brice. Family also includes nine grandchildren Donica (Ron) Spence, Mike Osbun, Matt Osbun, Noel Shihadeh, Tarick Shihadeh, Joe Merkel, Jake (Callie) Merkel, Garrett (Ashley) Brice, Brett (Gabrielle) Brice; followed by 12 great grandchildren Jordan (Tessa) Osbun, Jaylynn and Jax Spence, Degan and Addison Merkel, Rose and Leo Merkel, Landon, Norah and Sadie Brice, Ellie and Miles Brice; and one great-great grandchild, Avery Rose Osbun.
John is also survived by his siblings, Mary Swartz, Ron (Yvonne) Merkel, Karen Merkel, David (Donna) Frayer.; along with many nieces and nephews.
John was preceded in death by Elihu Swartz, Richard (Ann) Merkel, and Una (Mike) Mikazes.
Per John's request the paper written by his grandson Tarick is included below.
The Perfect Role Model
My grandfather is the man I look up to. I try and better myself to be more like him. Grandpa is an intelligent man and always has a good positive attitude. He is always cheery and never down. When the family gets together for a function and my grandmother is stressing out, grandpa will usually crack a joke about the situation and make everyone laugh. I do not even think grandpa knows how to be sad or depressed.
These past few years I have really come to respect my grandpa and noticed I had this great role model in front of me this whole time. Grandpa loves to cook and oh boy, can he cook some great food. Biscuits and gravy is my favorite meal that he makes. In most households, the woman is always cooking but not at my grandparents house. After the meal most men run away form the table, but not grandpa. He clears off the table and gets food in the dishes to put in the fridge. Then you catch him at the sink washing up the pots and pans.
On cold winter mornings grandpa goes out and starts the car to warm it up and pulls it up to the door so grandma does not have far to walk. To me he is a true gentleman, and a man of great qualities.
You can always go to grandpa for great advice. Whether it be with school, girls, work or just everyday life he always has the answers. You might have to sit down and think about it for an hour or so, but when you finally figure out what one of his sayings meant you will get a big smile on your face and you might even giggle to yourself. Sometimes it might not always be the most appropriate advice, but it is funny. When I go Up North to visit them they have usually been to the doctors. It seems like they go monthly. My grandma always has a story about grandpa misbehaving at the doctors. He always makes a comment about his health when the nurse asks questions and he usually ends up embarrassing the nurse and my grandma. I think grandpa cracks the jokes because he is scared when going to the doctors like everyone else, but I will never tell.
Dear Grandpa,
I don't think you realize how much of an impact you have on someone's life hopefully this paper that I wrote for school will clarify that. My instructor wrote "This is a lovely tribute to a great man. You should share this with I him I know it would mean a lot to him. I shook my head in agreement and thought to myself, Yes, It sure would.
Love Always, Your Grandson Tarick