1922
Merle
2007
Merle F. Karr
February 10, 1922 — August 25, 2007
Munising
Merle F. Karr, age 85, of N6791 Connors Road, Munising, died on Saturday at 1:00 p.m., August 25, 2007 at the Tendercare Health Center in Munising. He was born on February 10, 1922 in Pontiac, Michigan to the late Howard and Eva (Webb) Karr. Merle grew up in CC logging camps including Simmons Settlement and Purples Corners, Grand Marais, and then he moved to Melstrand. On May 3, 1941, Merle married Dorothy "Dort" Ann McNally. Merle left his wife and two daughters at home to serve in the U.S. Army during WWII with the 30th Infantry Division. He served in the EAME Theater and earned a Purple Heart after being injured in Germany. Merle served from April 4, 1944 until October 19, 1945. He returned home after the War and was a self employed logger and also logged for Bob Graves. Merle began employment at Kimberly Clark in 1952 and worked for twenty years before retiring out of the Machine Room in 1972. After retirement, Merle and his fishing buddies Speck LaCombe and Earl Credland spent every day they could fishing Lake Superior. He also enjoyed hunting, playing guitar with his siblings, and snowmobiling. Merle and Dort's grandchildren grew up calling them Grandpa and Grandma Ski-Doo. Merle and Dort were married over fifty-one years when she preceded him in death on November 6, 1992.
He is survived by his children - Susie (Vern) Steinhoff of Munising, Kathy (Pete) Syers of Shingleton, Gail (Dennis) Fleek of Wayland, MI, Merle D. "Buzz" Karr of Munising, Howard (Theresa) Karr of Wetmore, and Carol Sue Karr of Munising; son-in-law - Norm Fleek of Cape Coral, FL grandchildren - Lauri, Teresa, Gail, Norm, Rich, Tracey, Brenda, Randi, Merle, Jessica, Jennifer, and Dorothy; great-grandchildren - Buddy, Robert, Kayla, Rory, Sarah, Jeremy, Hayley, Savannah, Jason, Casey, Amy, Kristi, Hannah, Rachel, Adam, Kyle, Casey, Rian, and Jordan; brother - Richard (Gerry) Karr of Munising; sisters - Hilda (Bob) Graves of Boot Lake, Clara (Roger) Sommers of Yuma, AZ, and Helen (Bob) Mattson of Wetmore; uncle - Gene (Rose) Karr of Marinette, WI; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins; his five year old "puppy" Fawny Karr and his granddog Ace Karr. Merle was preceded in death by his parents, wife Dort, and daughter, Muriel "Skippy" Fleek in 1997.
Visitation will be held at the Bowerman Funeral Home on Monday evening from 5:00 until 9:00 p .m. and also on Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Pastor Jason LaFlamme will conduct Merle's funeral service in the funeral home's chapel on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 at 1:00 p.m. Interment will be at the Maple Grove Cemetery in Munising where the Alger County Veterans Council and American Legion Honor Guard will conduct military honors. Merle will be escorted by his grandchildren. A fellowship gathering will take place at the Munising Township Hall in Wetmore following Merle's services.
Merle F. Karr, age 85, of N6791 Connors Road, Munising, died on Saturday at 1:00 p.m., August 25, 2007 at the Tendercare Health Center in Munising. He was born on February 10, 1922 in Pontiac, Michigan to the late Howard and Eva (Webb) Karr. Merle grew up in CC logging camps including Simmons Settlement and Purples Corners, Grand Marais, and then he moved to Melstrand. On May 3, 1941, Merle married Dorothy "Dort" Ann McNally. Merle left his wife and two daughters at home to serve in the U.S. Army during WWII with the 30th Infantry Division. He served in the EAME Theater and earned a Purple Heart after being injured in Germany. Merle served from April 4, 1944 until October 19, 1945. He returned home after the War and was a self employed logger and also logged for Bob Graves. Merle began employment at Kimberly Clark in 1952 and worked for twenty years before retiring out of the Machine Room in 1972. After retirement, Merle and his fishing buddies Speck LaCombe and Earl Credland spent every day they could fishing Lake Superior. He also enjoyed hunting, playing guitar with his siblings, and snowmobiling. Merle and Dort's grandchildren grew up calling them Grandpa and Grandma Ski-Doo. Merle and Dort were married over fifty-one years when she preceded him in death on November 6, 1992.
He is survived by his children - Susie (Vern) Steinhoff of Munising, Kathy (Pete) Syers of Shingleton, Gail (Dennis) Fleek of Wayland, MI, Merle D. "Buzz" Karr of Munising, Howard (Theresa) Karr of Wetmore, and Carol Sue Karr of Munising; son-in-law - Norm Fleek of Cape Coral, FL grandchildren - Lauri, Teresa, Gail, Norm, Rich, Tracey, Brenda, Randi, Merle, Jessica, Jennifer, and Dorothy; great-grandchildren - Buddy, Robert, Kayla, Rory, Sarah, Jeremy, Hayley, Savannah, Jason, Casey, Amy, Kristi, Hannah, Rachel, Adam, Kyle, Casey, Rian, and Jordan; brother - Richard (Gerry) Karr of Munising; sisters - Hilda (Bob) Graves of Boot Lake, Clara (Roger) Sommers of Yuma, AZ, and Helen (Bob) Mattson of Wetmore; uncle - Gene (Rose) Karr of Marinette, WI; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins; his five year old "puppy" Fawny Karr and his granddog Ace Karr. Merle was preceded in death by his parents, wife Dort, and daughter, Muriel "Skippy" Fleek in 1997.
Visitation will be held at the Bowerman Funeral Home on Monday evening from 5:00 until 9:00 p .m. and also on Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Pastor Jason LaFlamme will conduct Merle's funeral service in the funeral home's chapel on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 at 1:00 p.m. Interment will be at the Maple Grove Cemetery in Munising where the Alger County Veterans Council and American Legion Honor Guard will conduct military honors. Merle will be escorted by his grandchildren. A fellowship gathering will take place at the Munising Township Hall in Wetmore following Merle's services.
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