Merlyn C. Engelke

Merlyn C. “Gov.” Engelke, 81, of Belmont, died Monday, April 16, 2012 at Southwest Health Center.

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, April 20, 2012 at the Peace Lutheran Church in Belmont. Rev. Connie Matye will officiate. Burial will be in Belmont Cemetery.

Friends may call from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 19, 2012 at the Melby-Bendorf Funeral Home & Crematory, Platteville and from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service on Friday at the church. Memorials may be made to the Merlyn C. “Gov.” Engelke Memorial Fund. Online condolences may be made at www.melbyfh.com.

Merlyn was born on May 30, 1930 on the Engelke Homestead, Belmont, the son of William and Margaret (Speth) Engelke. He was united in marriage to Jeanne Joan Myers on August 10, 1950 at the Peace Lutheran Church, Belmont. He was a council member and member of Peace Lutheran Church, a past President of the Belmont High School School Board and member of the Home Talent Baseball League for Belmont. He enjoyed woodworking, playing cribbage, coin collecting, and 30 years of sobriety. He also enjoyed attending children’s and grandchildren’s events with his wife.

Left to celebrate in his memory are his wife, Jeanne; nine children, Deb (Arlie) Sveen of Ettrick, WI; Brad (Sonja) Engelke of Belmont; Brian (Mary Kay) Engelke of Mineral Point; Ken (Kellie) Engelke of New Glarus; Tim (Maryellen) Engelke of Belmont; Dan (Tammie) Engelke of Rewey; Marla (Paul) Simon of Rewey; Julie (Michael) Tashner of Platteville; Amy (Mark) Siegert of Potosi; 33 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; sister, Joyce (Tom) Tracy of Belmont; sisters-in-law, Ruby Engelke of Platteville; Nancy Myers of Livingston; and brother-in-law, Clarice Myers Jr. of Battletown, KY.

He was preceded in death by his parents and son, David.