Obit: Townsend, Merton (1901-1983)

Contact: Kathleen E. Englebretson

Email: kathy@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Townsend, Joppa, Shucha, Whittker

---Source: Marshfield News-Herald (11 February 1983)

Townsend, Merton L. (19 June 1901 - 9 February 1983)

NEILLSVILLE -- Services for Merton L. Townsend, 82, Route 2, Neillsville, who died Wednesday at Memorial Hospital, will be Saturday st the Gesche Funeral Home, Neillsville.

The Rev. Robert Knutson of the Village Christian Church, Alma Center, will officiate. Burial will be in Prairie Mound Cemetery, Oregon, Wisconsin.

He was born June 19, 1901, in Soldiers Grove and received his education there. He was employed as an auto mechanic and auto body repairman in the Madison area for many years, and also worked in Rockford, Illinois. He moved to Neillsville in 1969, where he was employed by Urban Motors for several years. He was a member of the Village Christian Church, Alma Center.

He married Nona Joppa in 1926; she died in 1966. He and Anne I. Shucha were married June 21, 1969, in Minocqua; she survives.

Also surviving is a daughter, Mrs. Duane (Linda) Whittker of Atkins, Georgia; two sons, Jerry of Fairfield, California and Les of Hurst, Texas; three brothers. Earl of Prairie du Chein, John of Soldiers Grove and Joseph of Carmel, California; nine grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

He was also predeceased by five sisters and two brothers.