R. Neil Merckens

R. Neil Merckens, Sr. April 13, 1931 - March 24, 2013 R. Neil Merckens, Sr., 81, died Sunday, March 24, 2013 at Stein Hospice in Sandusky. Born in the Marblehead Hospital on April 13, 1931 he was the son of Reynold J. "Zeke" and Lois Pettibone Merckens. Neil was a 1949 graduate of Lakeside High School and attended Tiffin University. On October 21, 1950 he married Rosemary Heminger. She preceded him in death in 2006. As owners of Peninsular Printing and publisher of The Peninsular News from 1968 to 1986, Neil and Rosemary took pleasure in chronicling the day-to-day happenings of their community. Neil was a Danbury Township Trustee for 25 years during which he participated in the development of the Danbury Twp. Police Department, the adoption of zoning and implementation of the first recycling program. In his capacity as President of the Danbury Trustees he served on the original committee which initiated 911 service in Ottawa County. The great-great-great grandson of Benajah Wolcott, first keeper of the Marblehead Lighthouse, Neil worked relentlessly to save the keeper's house located next to the light when it was slated for demolition in the 1960s. Years later when the state of Ohio took ownership of the property Neil was elected first president of the newly formed Marblehead Lighthouse Historical Society headquartered in the house he helped to save. In 1991 Neil was recipient of the Chamber of Commerce D.S. Kirkpatrick award which recognizes service to community, a characteristic that was the hallmark of his life. In addition to his elected and professional service Neil was a scoutmaster, president of the Downtown Coaches Athletic Boosters, president of the Danbury PTA, president of the Marblehead Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, president of the Ottawa County Historical Society, member of the Marblehead Peninsula Lions Club, member of the Ottawa County Republican Party, and a former member of both the Lakeside and Marblehead Volunteer Fire Departments. He also belonged to the Elder William Brewster Society. Neil was a member of St. John Lutheran Church, Marblehead and served on the Church Council. He was an associate member of Faith Lutheran Church in Lehigh Acres, Florida. He is survived by his children, Rhonda (Paul) Sowers, Rita (Jim) Mahler, Russ (Linda) Merckens all of Marblehead and Ruthe (Mark) Toncar, Cortland, Ohio; grandchildren Jonathan (Heather) Merckens, Dana Mahler, Jim (Jessica) Mahler, Carrie (Rodney Zehfus) Botti, Kate Botti, Mike (Cassandra) Botti, Anne Merckens, Frank Toncar, Mark Toncar, Bridget Sowers and Nicholas Sowers; great-grandchildren Haley Strimpfel, Alayna Mahler, Zachary Mahler, Rachel Merckens, Sydney Merckens, Hunter Zehfus and Dylan Botti. In addition to his wife and parents he was preceded in death by his brother Ronald in 2012 and granddaughter Helen Marie Merckens. There will be no visitation. A memorial service will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. on Neil's 82nd birthday, Saturday, April 13, 2013 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 541 S. Church Rd., Marblehead with the Rev. Christine Young officiating. Memorial contributions may be made in Neil's name to St. John Lutheran Church, 117 Stone Street, Marblehead, OH 43440 or Stein Hospice, 1200 Sycamore Line, Sandusky, OH 44870. Neidecker, LeVeck & Crosser Funeral Home, Peninsula Chapel, Lakeside--Marblehead, OH is handling the arrangements. Funeral Home: Neidecker-LeVeck & Crosser Funeral Home - Peninsula Chapel 7755 East Harbor Road Lakeside-Marblehead, OH