Jeremy Mergen

Jeremy Robert Mergen, 43, of Platteville, Wisconsin, passed away on Tuesday, December 26, 2017 at Southwest Health Center Hospital, Platteville, from complications of Congestive Heart Failure. A Celebration of Life will be at the Melby Funeral Home & Crematory, 1245 N Water St., Platteville, at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 30, 2017. Deacon Bill Bussan will preside. Friends may call from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. There will not be a burial at this time. Memorials may be made to the Jeremy R. Mergen Memorial Fund. Online condolences can be made at www.melbyfh.com

Jeremy was born on January 19, 1974 in Platteville, the first born child to Patrick and Melody (Hansen) Mergen. Jeremy was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoblastic Lymphoma at the age of 13. He went through a year of Chemotherapy before relapsing and receiving a bone marrow transplant in 1988 in which his sister, Amy, was the donor. All the radiation caused pulmonary fibrosis of the lungs which he battled with the rest of his life. Jeremy lived life to the fullest with passion and gusto. He was quite the artist and also had a passion for photography. He loved music and managed the Rock-N-Dome Dance Club in Stitzer, Wisconsin, and other dance clubs in Lancaster and Platteville. He took great pride when he would get the opportunity to DJ. Jeremy was a fantastic cook and worked in food service in Dubuque, Iowa and Platteville until his illness stopped him. He loved fishing and many times would slip out fishing even if just for an hour before going to work. His very best companion and fishing buddy was his dog, Diablo. Jeremy called him his “little boy” and loved him more than life. He got Diablo as an abused animal in need of a home and turned a vicious animal into a warm, loving companion. Jeremy was the “Dog Whisperer” and Diablo sure loved his daddy. Jeremy was a lover of all animals and at one time had 13 living with him. He was an avid gardener, and took pride in his garden, flowers, and landscaping. He enjoyed doing landscaping on the side for others. He loved the 4^th of July fireworks, Halloween, and Christmas. When Jeremy was diagnosed with congestive heart failure life changed and eventually he was on oxygen all the time and couldn't work or do the things he loved so much. He developed several other health issues in just the last few months and his heart just couldn't keep up.

Jeremy is survived by his parents, Pat and Melody; sister, Amy Ahrens; brother, Eric (fiance, Ashley Oni) Mergen; nieces, Jordan (John Gepson) Fischer and Grace Ranson; nephew, Marcus Ahrens; brother-in-law, Jeff Ahrens; his companion dog, Diablo; aunts and uncles, Jeff Mergen, Rick Mergen and Cindy Mayer, Tim and Terry Mergen; Mary Beth and Bryan Andrus; many cousins, two great-aunts/uncle; and many friends. Jeremy was preceded in death by his grandparents, Mark and Rosemary Mergen, Melvin Hansen and Pauline “Polly” (Hansen) Desharnais; uncle, Marty Hansen; and great-grandparents; and many great-aunts and uncles.