Peter A. “Pete” Merkes, 89 of Ellenboro, died on Sunday, March 26, 2017 at Orchard Manor, Lancaster. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 31, 2017 at St. Mary's Catholic Church. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery, Platteville. Friends may call from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. Thursday, March 30, 2017 at the Melby Funeral Home & Crematory, Platteville, where there will be a parish rosary at 3:45 p.m.; friends may also call from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday at the church. Memorials may be made to the Peter “Pete” Merkes Memorial Fund. Online condolences can be made at www.melbyfh.com

Peter was born on September 19, 1927 at home in Luxemburg, Iowa, the son of Peter and Margaret (Ries) Merkes. He was united in marriage to Yvonne Heacock on November 19, 1947 in Asbury, Iowa. She preceded him in death on December 26, 2011. He relocated from Asbury to Ellenboro, Wisconsin, in 1957, where he was an avid farmer and raised a family of nine children. He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, and Farm Bureau. He enjoyed playing cards and was a part of the oldest card club in Grant County traveling from home to home. He enjoyed a good shot of whiskey now and again. He loved farming and all of his livestock. He enjoyed his travels to Korea and Germany to visit his son, Randy, while in the service, his frequent visits to his daughter in Tucson, Arizona, and all the trips with his sisters and brothers-in-law.

Pete is survived by his children, Elaine (Roger) Behncke of Tucson, AZ; Robert Merkes of Lancaster; Mary (Bernie) Kirschbaum of Lancaster; Janet (Martin) Russell of Belmont; Linda (Paul) Hildreth of Mineral Point, WI; Randy (Ginger) Merkes of Korea; Lisa (Ray) Kress of Platteville; daughter-in-law, Karen Merkes of Cherry Valley, IL; son-in-law, Jim Skaife of Lancaster; 20 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren with two more on the way; and one great-great-grandchild; sisters, Theresa Foxen and Mary (Joel) Glennon; brother, Arnold (Jackie) Merkes; sister-in-law, Theresa Merkes. He was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years Yvonne, two infant daughters, Nancy and Annette, daughter, Diane Skaife, son, Eugene Merkes, his parents, Peter and Margaret Merkes, brothers, sisters and spouses, Arthur (Dorothy) Merkes, Ambrose (Sylvia) Merkes, Katherine (Joe) Foxen, Leonard Foxen, Clara (Melvin) Weis, Aloysius Merkes, and John (Lucille) Merkes.

Peter Merkes

September 19, 1927 - March 26, 2017

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