PAUL MERKLEY

Paul Merkley, 58, of Neenah, was killed in an industrial accident at the Neenah Foundry this past Sunday, June 10, 2012. Paul had worked for the company for over forty years, and was known for his dedication and dependability to the job. He graduated from Menasha High School in 1971, and married Victoria Burks in 1979. Paul was an avid hunter and fisherman, frequently sharing these activities with his three sons: Christopher, Matthew and Adam. Having had no daughters of his own, Paul loved his three daughters-in-law: Jen, Jodi and Sam, as if they were his own. Ten months earlier, Paul and Vicki were blessed with their first grandchild, Logan, the son of Adam and Sam. Paul adored Logan, calling him the little scheister . Survivors include his wife, Victoria Vicki ; three sons: Christopher (Jen) Burks, Boise, Idaho, Matthew (Jodi) Merkley and Adam (Sam) Merkley, of Neenah; his grandson, Logan Allen Merkley; a brother, Donald Merkley, Neenah; two sisters, Karen (Doug) Smith, Menasha, and Mary (Roger) DeChaine, Hermantown, MN; nephews, Derek and Sean (Shelby), niece, Shana (Jeremiah) and their daughter, Emma; his mother-in-law, Mary Jane Vought, Neenah; brother-in-law, Bill (Pat) Vought, Greenfield; his godparents, Gerald and Jean Daul, Kaukauna; his surrogate wife, Chris Babbitts, Neenah; and other relatives and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; Wilbur J. and Lillian Merkley; father-in-law, Donald Vought and brother-in-law, Gardner John Vought. The memorial service for Paul will be Thursday, June 14, 2012, at 6:00 P.M. at Neenahs Westgor Funeral Home, with Father Michael Ingold officiating. Visitation will begin at 12:00 p.m. (noon) Thursday until the hour of the service at the funeral home. Interment will be in St. Margaret Cemetery, Neenah. Paul will be missed by family and friends in ways that can never be put into words. Good-bye Paul.