Merlyn F. Ehlinger

Merlyn F. "Popeye" Ehlinger, 87, passed away Friday, July 26, 2019, at Aspirus Iron River Hospital. He was born April 2, 1932, in Suring, Wis., son of the late Joseph and Henrietta (Hoeffs) Ehlinger. He graduated from Iron River High School in 1949 and worked in construction for many years. On Aug. 18, 1951, he married the former Donna Jean Eklund; she preceded him in death on July 22, 1998. He was also preceded in death by brothers, DeLou and Elzmer Ehlinger; a sister, Ramona Norton; and a sister-in-law, Dorothy Ehlinger. He is survived by his wife, Lillian; children, Joe (Ida) Ehlinger, Karen (John) Otto and Nan (Mike) Borske, all of Iron River, Donna (Kim) Hibbard of Ishpeming, Judy (Dale) Bosk of Crystal Falls and Nancy Tschury of Iron River; grandchildren, Stacy (Craig) Hooper, Wendy (Mark) Shimun, Gwen Ehlinger (Stacy Coleman), Jessie Otto (Todd Shamion), Jill Anderson (James Allen), Joe Ehlinger, Missy (Tony) Dallavalle, Nick Bosk (Kelly Short), Craig (Nicole) Hibbard, Sarah (Tony) Celli, Jeremy Hibbard, Andrew Bosk (Pablo Cruz), Rick (Robin) Wierikko and Shelli (Harvey) Baker; great-grandchildren, Collin, Cassidy, Carli, Hope, Alyssa, Harmony, Morgan, Colby, Ty, Kya, Cade, Carmine, Cason, Jace, Sienna, Riley, Isla, Cheryl, Sabol, Ralph, Chelsea and Chris; two great-great-grandchildren; a sister, Sandy (Wayne) Thibodeau of Iron River; a brother, Duane Ehlinger of Green Bay, Wis.; sisters-in-law, Lucy and Lorraine Ehlinger; brothers-in-law, Wayne Norton and Tom (Karol) Dentel; nieces, nephews and extended family. Private family services will be held. Interment will be in Resthaven Cemetery in Iron River. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Merlyn F. Ehlinger, please visit our flower store.