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Merle A. Messerschmidt, 78, of East Troy, WI died Saturday September 18, 2021 at Aurora Lakeland Medical Center. He was born October 2, 1942 in Elkhorn, WI the son of the late Bauer and Leta (Mentz) Messerschmidt. Merle graduated from East Troy High School with the Class of 1960. He served in the U.S. Army from November 5, 1960 until May 14, 1961. On April 24, 1965 he was united in marriage to Catherine M. D’Amico. Merle served as a Deputy Sheriff with the Walworth County Sheriff’s Department from March 1, 1970 until his retirement on April 16, 1996 after 26 years of service. He was a member of Bethel United Methodist Church, Deputy Sheriff’s Association, and the Blue Knights Motorcycle Association. Merle was an all around handyman who enjoyed woodworking, leather crafting, camping and traveling. He was a man of many talents. If you needed it, consider it made. No matter how arduous the task. From leather saddles to beds to even building the house that the Messerschmidt family would call home. His greatest joy was his family. He was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. An avid storyteller, he could captivate his audience around a campfire or his favorite recliner for hours on end. He would inevitably have all roaring in laughter. Merle loved touring the country with his beloved wife Cathy on their Harley-Davidson. They spent many years celebrating his admiration for Harleys at the most celebrated place to do so -- Sturgis. His voluminous Harley t-shirt collection speaks for itself. Their love for camping was transparent as through the years as they graduated from tent camping to a pop-up to the Cadillac of camping – a fifth wheel. They loved spending time around the campfire every weekend in the summertime with all of their friends at Trail’s End campground. Merle loved his community and served them honorably in his 26 year law enforcement career. He truly exemplified what it means to have a servant heart.
Merle forged a trail of laughter, generosity, compassion and wisdom. All who had the pleasure of knowing him loved him. He will be dearly missed by his wife of 56 years, Cathy, his two children; Becky (Chip Klamrowski) Messerschmidt and Kevin (Jess Jarecki) Messerschmidt, his five grandchildren; Joshua, Jordan (Katelynn), Jacob Osborne, Ethan Messerschmidt and Will Jarecki. Two great-grandchildren; Colton and Olivia Osborne and by his two brothers Leslie Messerschmidt of La Crosse WI and Harliss Messerschmidt of East Troy, WI and by a host of other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters-in-law; Rita and Kathy Messerschmidt. Funeral Service with military honors will be 11:00 am Friday September 24 at Bethel United Methodist Church, W5110 County Road A, Elkhorn, WI with Rev. Jeanne Jones officiating. Visitation will be 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm Thursday at Haase-Lockwood & Associates Funeral Home 730 N. Wisconsin Street Elkhorn, WI and at the church on Friday from 10:00 am until time of service. Merle was unable to attend services at his favorite church in the last few years of his life due to a lack of handicap accessibility. Therefore, in his honor, his family kindly requests that memorials be made in Merle’s name to: Bethel United Methodist Church, W5110 County Road A, Elkhorn, WI 53121 in order to fund a handicap accessible ramp so that others are able.
On-line guestbook is at www.haaselockwoodfhs.com.
While on this ride called “life”, you have to take the good with the bad,
smile when you’re sad, love what you’ve got and remember what you had. Always forgive, but never forget. Learn from your mistakes, but never regret. People change. Things go wrong. Just remember…
The ride goes on.
Bethel United Methodist Church
W5110 Cty Rd A, Elkhorn WI 53121