Obit: Merlak, LeRoy #3 (1937 - 2011)

Contact: Audrey Roedl

Email: audero@charter.net

Surnames: Merial, Zager, Sackmann, Mitby

----Source: The Loyal TRG (Loyal, Clark County, WI 24 AUG 2011)

Merlak, Leroy (21 FEB 1937-18 AUG 2011)

LeRoy M. Merak, 74, Sun City, Ariz., passed away on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2011, due to unexpected health complications after a brief, courageous battle with cancer. A memorial service was held at 2 p.m., on Monday, Aug. 22, at Menke Funeral Home, Sun City.

Leroy Matthew Merlak was born on Feb. 21, 1937, in Loyal to Mathew and Anne (nee Zager) Merlak. He will be remembered by the many lives he touched during his years as principal at Kickapoo Area Schools, superintendent at Thorp Area School District, and Wisconsin CESA District 9 Administrator, fellow volunteers at Banner Boswell Hospital, golf buddies, swimming friends, and his close personal friends. He enjoyed spending his time with his wife, Donna, of 52 years, site-seeing and traveling back to Wisconsin to spend time with their children and their families and staying connected with friends.

Survivors include his wife, Donna, Sun City, Ariz.; a sister, Vicki (Jim Felsenthal) Merlak, Sun City; two daughters, Lynn (Bob) Merlak-Sackmann and Lisa Merlak-Mitby, both of Wisconsin; and two sons, Steven (Connie) Merlak, Pennsylvania, and Dean (Lauri) Merlak, Wisconsin.

LeRoy adored his "Special Angels" (grandchildren); Laura, Alan, Matthew, Robert, Jennifer, Kaylyn, Dillon, Kristopher, Ciara, Michael, Mathew, Sawyer, Meredith, Josie, and most recently a great-grandchild, Mason.

The family is finding comfort in knowing that LeRoy will be accepted in this blessed journey by his deceased son, Mark, and mother and father.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be to Sun Health Foundation, P.O. Box 2015, Sun City, Arizona 85372, benefit of Banner Emergency Department, or Hospice of Arizona, 12740 N. Plaza del Rio Blvd., Peoria, Arizona 85381.

"Lord, help me remember that nothing is going to happen today that you and I can’t handle together.