Merrill M. Mulder

RACINE - Merrill M. Mulder, 92, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, August 3, 2012, at Harmony Assisted Living Center. He was born in Hebron, Illinois, on October 1, 1919, to John and Helen (nee: Bosma) Mulder. Merrill's family moved to Racine in the 1920's where he attended Racine Christian, Washington Junior High, and Horlick High School (Class of 1937). He attended Moore's Business School and began working for S.C. Johnson & Sons prior to World War II. Following the war he returned to S.C. Johnson & Sons and retired in 1978. Merrill was drafted into the United States Army in the fall of 1941. He served as a Chief Warrant Officer at European Theater HQ until his honorable discharge in December 1945. As a teenager, Merrill met his wife-to-be, Jeanne Haumersen, while singing in the church choir. He was united in marriage to his beloved Jeanne at Racine Bible Church on March 15, 1946. As a member of Racine Bible for 75 years, Merrill served as an Elder, Missionary Committee Chairman, Sunday School Superintendent, Teacher and Choir Director. Gifted with a beautiful baritone voice, Merrill sang in countless weddings and funerals as well as on the BBC during World War II. He also enjoyed baseball, boxing and football. Throughout his life, he often expressed how God blessed, guided, and directed him along his life's journey. He loved reading and studying the Bible. Merrill found in every situation that "God is Faithful". God's greatest gifts to him were his wonderful and loving wife of 61 years and his family. Merrill is survived by his children, Lee (Karen) Mulder, Carol (Howard) Brumback, all of Racine, John (Lynn) Mulder of Colorado Springs, CO, Anne (John) Ward of North Branch, MN, and Kaye Mulder of Minneapolis, MN; grandchildren, Rebecca (Jonathan) Krentel, Laura (Craig) Granetzke, Joel Mulder, Peter (Jenni) Ward, Kimberlee (Luke) Munn, Andrew (Linnea) Ward, Carling (Jonathan) Reinhard and Emily Ward; great-grandchildren, Jordan Brumback, Julianna Granetzke, Ella Bilberry, Lara Krentel, Aston Granetzke, Gretchen Krentel, and soon-to-be-born Baby Munn. Merrill is survived by sister-in-law Carol (Myron) Wiersum, sister-in-law Bonnie Haumersen, sister-in-law Sally (Harold) Hay and brother-in-law David (Kathy) Haumersen and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, brothers Samuel and David and sisters Minnie, Cora and Clara. A memorial service in honor of Merrill will be held at Racine Bible Church, 12505 Spring Street, Sturtevant, on Saturday, August 18 at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Spencer DeBurgh officiating. Relatives and friends may meet with the family from 9:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. service time. Private interment will be held at West Lawn Memorial Park with Pastor John Miesel officiating. Memorials may be directed to Racine Bible Church. The family is extremely grateful to the many faithful friends who visited Dad. Psalm 73:26 – “My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” The family wishes to extend heartfelt thanks to the staffs of Becker-Shoop Center, Harmony Assisted Living Center, Hospice Alliance, Wheaton Franciscan Hospital, and Dr. Robert Gullberg for the loving and compassionate care given to Dad.

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Merrill M. Mulder

October 1, 1919 - August 3, 2012