Dale Merkle (Lebanon)'s Obituary
Dale Erwin Merkle, son of Richard and Virginia Bohnenstiel Merkle, was born January 27, 1943, in Highland, Illinois. He departed this life May 10, 2016, in his home, near Lebanon, Missouri, at the age of seventy-three years, three months, and thirteen days.
On August 18, 1984, in Miami, Oklahoma, he was united in marriage to Helga Ingred Rudat, and they shared twenty-nine years before her passing on November 13, 2013.
He was also preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Donald Merkle.
Dale is survived by a daughter, Dena Bennett, and her husband, Crit, of Sugar Hill, Georgia; a granddaughter, Emmeline Crittenden Bennett; a grandson, Kristopher Day, and his wife, Julie; a great-grandson, Ian Day; a brother, Dennis Merkle, of Highland, Illinois; a sister, Lila Manville, of Highland, Illinois; a sister-in-law, Donna Merkle, of Alhambra, Illinois; several nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
He was born and raised in Highland, Illinois, where he attended school. He entered the military as a young man and served his country faithfully in the United States Army from February 27, 1961 until retiring on August 31, 1981. He was stationed in Germany, Kansas, Korea, and Vietnam during his years of service and was a decorated Vietnam veteran. After retiring from the Army, he worked as a civil service vehicle inspector in Germany for several years and then at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. He met Helga when he was stationed in Kansas and they made their home in Kansas and Germany, moving back and forth a few times, until retiring in Lebanon.
Dale was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion. In his spare time, he liked tinkering with old farm tractors, particularly John Deere models. He enjoyed his retirement and was very proud of his military service.
Dale will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his family and many friends.
Memorial contributions may be made to the VFW Post 4107, and left at the funeral home.
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