Merlyn Ahrens, age 86, passed away Wednesday afternoon April 22, 2015 at Liberty Village of Princeton. A Funeral Service for Merlyn will be on Tuesday April 28, 2015 at 10:30 AM at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in Princeton. Pastor Scott Schmidt will officiate. Burial will follow the luncheon at Oakwood Memorial Park, ‘Shrine of Rest’ Mausoleum in Ottawa, IL. The family will receive friends during a visitation Monday April 27, 2015 from 5-7 PM at Norberg Memorial Home in Princeton.
Merlyn was born on December 13, 1928, in Owatonna, MN to Fred and Ella (Jackel) Ahrens. He was confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Claremont, MN in 1942. He was a graduate of Owatonna High School, class of 1949. Merlyn married Fran Vollentine on September 4, 1964 in Peru, IL. They were married for 50 years.
Merlyn served his country in the U.S. Air Force from 1950-1953. He was an Airman First Class while stationed in North Africa. He was employed by Josten’s in Owatonna, MN and Princeton, IL for 41 years. He retired in 1991 and began driving a van for Gateway Services in Princeton and then for the Senior Service Center also in Princeton. Merlyn was a Gold Coat Volunteer at Perry Memorial Hospital for many years. He was a member of St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, the Princeton MOOSE Lodge, and a lifetime member of the Gallery of the Ageless Achievers.
Merlyn is survived by his wife Fran, his two step-sons William (Fela) Morell, Orby Morell and a step-daughter Dorothy (the late Jerry) Cioni, and four grandchildren, Bryan (Cindy) Cioni of Florida, Lori
(Jim) Horvath of Texas, Christina (Joe) Bolelli of Spring Valley and Nancy (Scott) Kmetz of Peru. Also surviving are great- grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and one sister-in-law Lorraine Ahrens of Owatonna, MN.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters Ramah Johnson and Viola Harmening, one brother Martin Ahrens, a step-son John Morell and a step-grandson Rockey Cioni.
Merlyn is laid to rest in the Shrine of Rest Mausoleum, Sanctuary of Memory.