Merle F Bartsch

Merle Bartsch, age 80, of Granton, WI died suddenly, Friday, March 18, 2011 on the golf course in Fort Worth, TX.Merle Fred Bartsch was born on August 14, 1930 in Marshfield, WI the son of Fred and Clara (Handke) Bartsch. He attended school at country schools in Lynn and Franklin and Zion Lutheran parochial school. He attended Concordia Prep School in Milwaukee for 2 years and graduated from Granton High School. Merle then studied for a year at the State University of Stevens Point. He then went to work at Weinbrenner's in Marshfield. He was employed there for 27 years, working his way up to Superintendant. He then spent the next 8 years working for the Citizen's State Bank of Loyal in their Granton office, and lastly, Merle spent 8 years as the President of First Choice Credit Union in Marshfield, retiring in 1996.He was a member of the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Granton and held several offices over the years. He volunteered at the HighGround and for the Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers in Neillsville. He was also an assistant state coordinator and instructor for the AARP safe driving course.In his spare time, Merle liked to travel and play cards, but his true passion was for golf and his family.He is survived by his wife, Jane, five children, Connie (Gene Steffens) Bartsch of Neenah, WI, Rick (Janeen Cooper) Bartsch of Stevens Point, WI, Peter (Gail Shavlik) Bartsch of North Richland Hills, TX, Kay (Loren Meddaugh) Bartsch of Eagle River, AK and Jay (Renee) Bartsch of Prescott, WI, seven grandchildren, Timothy Bartsch, Nicholas (Jessi) Bartsch, Brett Meddaugh, Elizabeth Meddaugh, Payton Bartsch, Weston Bartsch and Mason Bartsch, a brother, Donald (Lavonne) Bartsch of Granton, WI and sisters-in-law, Betty Bartsch of Plover, WI and Margene Bartsch of Marshfield, WI.He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Fred and Leland.A Memorial Service for Merle will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, March 31, 2011 at the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Granton. Pastor Terry Schneider will officiate. Music will be provided by Caroline Helm, organist. Interment will be in the Windfall Cemetery in Granton, WI. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., Wednesday at the Gesche Funeral Home in Neillsville and from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., Thursday at the Church.Funeral Home:Gesche Funeral Home4 South Grand AvenueNeillsville, WIUS 54456