Erich Merkner

Erich Merkner Portage Erich Merkner, age 83 of Portage, passed away Sunday, December 28, 2003 in Valpariaso Care and Rehabilitation Center. He was a longtime Northwest Indiana resident moving here from Germany. He served in the German military during WWII, and was also a P.O.W. in France during WWII. He is retired from U.S. Steel after 33 years of service, where he worked as a shipper. He was a former member of St. Peter Lutheran Church. Erich was an avid woodworker, and had a love of nature, his home country, and his dogs Spook and Suzi. He served as a role model for all his children and will be remembered by his family as a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Erich is survived by his beloved wife of 36 years Imogene; sons Harold (Kelly) Merkner of Valparaiso, Arvid (Lori) Merkner of Portage, Erich (Kristine) Merkner of Portage, Terry (Anita) Alasauskas of Portage; daughters Christel (Randy) Lea of Cedar Lake, Ruthie Merkner of Houston, TX, step-sons Jack (Connie) Bowen of South Haven, Gerry (Pricilla) Bowen of AZ; step-daughter Peggy (Art Barath) Boos of Portage; sisters Herta (James) Chance of Portage, Emma Taurat of Portage; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents Ludwig and Johanna Merkner, step-daughter Bonnie Griener, and brothers and sisters. Services will be 9 AM Wednesday, December 31, 2003 in Rees Funeral Home, Olson Chapel, 5341 Central Ave., Portage, with Rev. Ludovit Vajda officiating. Burial will occur in Calvary Cemetery. Visiting hours will be 2 to 8 PM Tuesday, December 30th, in Rees Funeral Home. For further information please call 219-762-3013