Merle Byrne of Antigo died Friday, August 22, 2008 at home under the care of his family and LeRoyer Hospice. He was 86 years old. Born February 28, 1922 in Town of Price, to the late Leo and Mary (Wachal) Byrne, he married Margaret Jansen on October 23, 1945 at Phlox, WI.

He attended Bryant Graded School and graduated from Antigo High School in 1940. He served in the United States Navy from 1946 - 1948. Mr. Byrne farmed on the family dairy farm in the Town of Antigo until a fire in 1977 led to his retirement. He worked for Antigo Co-op Oil for 11 years retiring in 1988.

He was a member of Peace Lutheran Church where he was an Elder, served on the Board of Stewardship and was an active Men's Club member. He was a member of the Antigo Sno-Drifters and Polar Blazers snowmobile clubs, and served as a delegate to Langlade County Snowmobile Council. He served on the Selenski School Board and the Antigo Shipping Co-op Board of Directors. He had many interests including traveling, snowmobiling and his family.

Survivors include his wife, Margaret, three daughters, Sharyn Nichols, Ft. Meyers, Fla., Linda (Arnie) Byrne-Huettel, Cape Coral, Fla, Mary (Dean) Nugent, Holmen, one son, Patrick (Jeana) Byrne, Cheyenne, Wyo, 11 grandchildren, Tammy (David) Hartwig, Shaun Nichols, Kristin Nichols, Kathleen (Matt) Hendrickson, Ryan Pugh, Gabriel Nugent, Benjamin Nugent, Lucas (Aubrey) Nugent, Kara Byrne, Eric Varra, and Brendan Byrne, six great grandchildren, one brother, Eugene (Jewell) Byrne, Ovieda, Fla, two sisters, Mary (Bob) Zelazoski, Hubertus, and Romona (Ervin) Geiger, Pewaukee.

He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers James, Robert and Maurice in infancy, and one granddaughter Jamie Byrne.

Services will be held on Tuesday, August 26, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. at Peace Lutheran Church with Rev. David Karolus officiating. Burial will take place in the Town of Norwood Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. at the Bradley Funeral Home and Tuesday from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. at the church..

Memorials may be directed to Peace Lutheran Church and LeRoyer Hospice.
Online condolences at bradleyfh.com.

Services