Frances “Fran” R. Merle, age 85, of 9351 County Road 511; Rapid River (Ensign) passed away early Saturday morning, February 14th, 2009 at the Christian Park Village in Escanaba where she was a patient for the previous nine months.

Fran was born in Ensign to Austian/ Croation immigrants, Frank and Mary (Mauhar) Merle, on December 22nd, 1923 and she was raised on the family farm in Ensign. In her early working years, she was employed at St. Francis Hospital in Escanaba and later moved to the Detroit area to work in defense plants during for the military buildup to supply needed equipment and supplies for World War II. Fran relocated to Milwaukee in 1958 to join her sisters who were living there at that time and she was employed with the Briggs and Stratton Corporation until her retirement in 1991 when she and her sisters returned to the family homestead in Ensign, which has now been in existence for 100 years.
Fran enjoyed flower gardening, listening to polka and country music, and traveling. Additionally, she was a faithful member of St. Charles Church in Rapid River.

Fran Merle’s survivors include:

2 Sisters- Mary and Anne Merle of Ensign

2 nieces, 2 nephews, and cousins.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one sister, Julia Stemack, in 1996 and by one brother, Walter Merle, in 2005.

The family of Frances R. Merle will receive friends on Tuesday at the Skradski Funeral Home from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will follow on Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. at St. Charles Church in Rapid River with Rev. Fr. Janusz Ronanek officiating. Luncheon will immediately follow at the St. Charles Parish Hall. Burial will be in the Rapid River Cemetery.