Merle O. "Bronco" Carpenter

Passed away Wednesday, March 9, 2005 at his home after a long period of poor health. Mr. Carpenter was born in Milwaukee on July 4, 1926, the eldest child of the late Merle and Mildred (Coleman) Carpenter. He is survived by his sisters, Isabelle Berger of Milwaukee, Dawn Willgrubs of Waukesha and Darlene Williams of Portland, ME; step-daughter, Joann (Schultz) Higgins of the Crandon area; numerous step-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of more than 50 years, Beryl (Sherman) Carpenter, his brother, Ronald W. Carpenter and sister, Dianne Buenger.

Mr. Carpenter had been a foreman at Amron in Waukesha where he had worked with munitions and chemicals for 23 years, retiring in 1989. Previously he had been in the painting and decorating business in Waukesha with his father and worked for Warren O'Brien's Photography Studio in Waukesha for a time. Mr. Carpenter was an avid photographer at a young age and left a large legacy of photographs documenting family and other subjects of interest. During WWII and into the 1950's, he was an active member of the Civil Air Patrol in Waukesha. He had an early marriage to the late (Nancy) Ella Pietrzak, originally of the Friendship, WI area.

Mr. Carpenter and his second wife were very private people who enjoyed domestic life and family celebrations. Mr. Carpenter believed in self-help and plain living. When they were in good health, they kept a large garden and did home canning together. He was also skilled in carpentry, woodworking and mechanics. He fixed his own cars and in the early 1950's built much of their home in Franklin himself with other relatives, making even the cinder blocks himself. When his dog became paralyzed in the hindquarters, he gave him physical therapy in a water tank and built a special cart that allowed the dog to move around the house with the front paws.

In state Monday from 12PM until time of Service at 1PM at CHURCH AND CHAPEL FUNERAL HOME, 380 Bluemound Rd., Waukesha (Hwy J and JJ, 4 blocks south of I-94). Interment Prairie Home.

CHURCH AND CHAPEL

262-827-0659

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