Merlin L Boley, 87 New Glarus, WI passed away peacefully at the New Glarus Nursing Home on Wednesday, November 29, 2023.  Merlin was born on December 22, 1935 to Grant and Hazel (Gladem) Boley. He was born at home on the family farm in Perry Township. He was a 1953 graduate of New Glarus High School. He married Lorna J. Trumpy on May 26, 1954. Lorna preceded him in death September 10, 2011 after 57 years of marriage. Merlin served his country in the United States Army as a Paratrooper, Farmed, Hauled milk for L & L trucking part-time, and retired as a welder from Carnes Corporation after 33 years of employment.   Merlin was a member of the Swiss United Church of Christ, New Glarus, a member of the 40et8, AMVETS and the American Legion Post 256. He held multiple committee positions (President, Treasurer, Scholarship Committee) serving many, many volunteer hours. Over Merlin's lifetime, he was an avid fan of the Packers, Brewers, Bucks and Wisconsin Badgers. He enjoyed Hunting, Bowling, Traveling, Boating, Playing cards, Gardening and most importantly-having fun. Wherever friends, sisters, brothers, his children or grandchildren gathered, you could find him enjoying lots of laughs. With having a big family and many friends, there were always opportunities for fun gatherings to attend. He will most fondly be remembered for his helping hands. If anyone needed anything, most of the time you didn't even have to ask, he was right there to help, always willing, multi-talented and never asking anything in return. He Accomplished several projects, including the restoration of his birth home; Forward's Past (Perry Township). Also, went to the quarry, hand-picked rocks and layered them to form the entire stone front of the newly constructed American Legion building in Monticello.

Together Merlin and Lorna had 6 children. Surviving are Daughters; Susan (Gary) Miller, Arglye WI, Marcia (Robert) Hartwig, Janesville WI, Laurie (Wade Wingra) Haggerman, Hermonie SD, Dawn (William) Gerber, Monroe WI. Son; Al (Sally Swenson) Boley, Janesville WI. Grandchildren; Brian, Tina, Jim, Jody, Jarrett, Mark, Benjamin, Caitlin. 20 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren. Sisters; JoAnn Voegli, Carolyn Smail, Diane Bidlingmeier, Debbie (James) Grossen, Rita (Robert) Klassey, Linda (Keith) Disch. Brother; Gary (Sharon) Boley. Sisters-in-law; Marion Karlen, Rosemary Krupke. Also, many nieces and nephews.

Merlin was predeceased by his parents; wife Lorna; In-law's; Jacob & Rosa Trumpy, Daughter; Jan A Gnadt, Grandchildren; Tobias Kelly, Kendra Kuenzi, Sister; Delores Steiner, Brothers; Donald Boley, Roger Boley, Bruce Boley, Sisters-in-law; Betty Boley, Helen Frietag, Florence Welton, Grace Trumpy, Elaine Trumpy, Norma Trumpy, Ellen Trumpy, Lois Trumpy, Patricia Trumpy, Brothers-in-law; Richard Voegli, Marvin Steiner, Jiggs Bidlingmeier, Lefty Smail, Norman Trumpy, Floyd Trumpy, Leroy Trumpy, Raymond Trumpy, Leroy Trumpy, Richard Trumpy, Glen Trumpy, Ralph Freitag, Delbert Krupke, Oliver Welton, Robert Grossen.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 7, 2023 at the Swiss United Church of Christ, 18 Fifth Ave., New Glarus, WI.  Pat Pluss will officiate.

A gathering of relatives and friends will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 6, 2023 at the Zentner-Beal Funeral Home, 29 Sixth Ave., New Glarus, WI.  There will also be a gathering from 10:00 a.m. until time of services on Thursday, December 7, 2023 at the Swiss United Church of Christ in New Glarus.