Funeral today for Merlin L. Waechter, 81, of West Bend

June 22, 2018 – West Bend, WI – Visitation and funeral are today, Friday, June 22 for Merlin L. Waechter, 81, of West Bend who was called home to be with the Lord on Thursday, June 14, 2018.

He was born on July 11, 1936 to the late Elmer and Lonie (nee Knuth) Waechter in Fond du Lac.  He graduated from Northwestern Preparatory High School in 1954 followed by two years of college at Northwestern.  Merlin lived in the Germantown and West Bend area most of his life and spent winters in Ft Myers, FL for the past 17 years.

Merlin had many talents and provided well for his family.  Over the years, he was an electrician, farmer, over-the-road truck driver, business owner, and home inspector.  Merlin was the type of man who was never going to officially retire and was working on Wallace Lake cutting weeds when God called him home.

We will fondly remember Merlin as a very generous person always willing to help others.  He had a great sense of humor and loved to tell stories while visiting with friends and family.  Merlin made people smile.  He also enjoyed hunting at “the shack” in Ladysmith, fishing, and tending to his beautiful flower gardens.

Those Merlin leaves behind to cherish his memory include his loving wife, Loretta (nee Bandle); three children, Merlin (Julie) Waechter Jr., Joan (Pat) Finnell, and Brenda (Todd) Faber; six grandchildren, John (Amanda) Waechter, Jennifer (George) Strauther, Stephanie Finnell, Nicole (fiancé Dan Lang) Finnell, Patrick Finnell Jr., and Ayden Faber; ten great-grandchildren, Alexis, Brooklyn, Grace, Dylan, Kody, Eliza, Persayus, Nathan, Sophia, and Savannah; a sister, Carmen Glander; a brother, Richard Waechter; other numerous relatives and friends.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his two brothers, Ward (Shirley) Waechter and William Waechter and a great-grandson, Lucas Waechter.

A funeral service in remembrance of Merlin will be held on Friday, June 22, 2018 at 4:00 p.m. at Pilgrim Ev. Lutheran Church, 462 Meadowbrook Dr., West Bend.

The family will greet relatives and friends at the church on Friday from 1:00 p.m. until the time of service.

The Myrhum Patten Miller & Kietzer Funeral Homes have been entrusted with Merlin’s arrangements