Cletus A. Merkel, 84, Jasper

Cletus A. Merkel, 84, of Jasper, passed away at 10:12 a.m. on Saturday, February 3, 2018, at Memorial Hospital and Healthcare Center in Jasper.

Cletus was born in Jasper on November 28, 1933, to Leo and Anna (Seger) Merkel. He married Mildred Blessinger on July 28, 1956, in Holy Family Catholic Church in Jasper.

He served in the Indiana Army National Guard. Cletus retired from the Jasper Cabinet company after 40 years of service and then worked part time for Jasper Rubber Products. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Jasper, Indiana.

Cletus loved his family dearly, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was an avid sports fan, especially Notre Dame football, New York Yankee baseball, and Jasper Wildcat sports. He enjoyed bird watching as well as country and bluegrass music.

He is survived by his wife, Mildred “Millie” C. Merkel of Jasper; four daughters, Brenda Dotterweich (Bill) of Jasper, Rhonda Collins (Mike) of Jasper, Nanette Seng (Tom) of Dubois and Annette Kern (Jerry) of Schnellville; four sons, Michael Merkel (Vicky) of Jasper, Kurt Merkel (Darlene) of Birdseye, Ronald Merkel (Wendy) of Plano, Texas, Scott Merkel (Becky) of Hendersonville, Tenn.; 19 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; two sisters, Rosie Preusz of Jasper and Marie Leistner of Evansville.

Preceding him in death was one grandchild, Nathan Merkel; one sister, Virginia Schroering; and two brothers, Sylvester and Linus Merkel.

A Mass of Christian burial for Cletus A. Merkel will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, February 7, 2018 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Jasper, with burial to follow in Fairview Cemetery in Jasper.

A visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 6, 2018, at the Becher-Kluesner Downtown Chapel in Jasper.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Holy Trinity Catholic Schools, Jasper Baseball Boosters, or to a favorite charity.

Online condolences may be made at www.becherkluesner.com.