Robert Dean Mericle, age 83 of Rhinelander, passed away peacefully at Friendly Village Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023. Bob was born March 14, 1939, in Mole Lake to Tillie L. (Ackley) and Robert Mericle. He graduated from Crandon High in 1956, where he was an All-State offensive lineman.

Bob joined the Air Force in 1956 and proudly served three years before he was honorably discharged. H married Mary Stangl in 1959 and they settled in Omaha, Neb., where Bob worked for the U.S. Postal Service.

He later moved back to Wisconsin and married Carol (Tanner) Walters in 1976 until her passing in 2010. Bob and Carol loved to take road trips and have family gatherings. Bob retired from the Rhinelander Paper Co., after 26 years but he was never one to sit still for long. He went to work for Walmart for another 15 years. He was a member of the Great Lakes Native American Elders Association.

Bob reconnected with his high school prom date, Patricia Garris, and they married in 2011. They enjoyed going to see Elvis impersonators.

Bob was an avid sports fan. In younger years he enjoyed hunting, fishing, bowling, playing cards and winning big at the casino. Mowing his lawn and watching the wildlife in his backyard were favorite pastimes. He was known to have a great singing voice and loved country music. Most of all, he loved being a grandpa.

Bob is preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Lela Smith, Lavera Poler, Violet Powaukee, Ruby Tanner, Emma “Jan” Baker, Judith Anaya, Elizabeth “Betty” Dougherty, Carolyn Patrick; brother, Charles Learned; his son, Robert Charles Mericle; grandchildren, Kasey Owen McGeshick, Hailee Rose Walters and great-grandson, Austin Ebertowski.

Bob is survived by his wife, Patricia; sister, Naomi Elsworth of Prince Frederick, Md.; daughters, Lori (Jay) Boxrucker of Rhinelander, Linda (Randy) Konfrst of Omaha, Neb., Debby (Gary) Turenske of Appleton, Barb Mericle (Greg Wilson) of Omaha, Neb.; five sons, Robert McGeshick of Mole Lake, Rick (Brandi) Mericle of Wiota, Iowa, Tom (Melissa) Walters of Rhinelander, Bill Walters (Mary Cronce) of L’Anse, Mich., and Robert (Deborah) Mericle Evans of Blaire, Neb.; 33 grandchildren; 38 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren; many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A special thank you to the Friendly Village nurses and staff for taking such wonderful care of him.

Visitation is 9-11 a.m., Feb. 4 with a short service to follow at Weber-Hill Funeral Home in Crandon, with burial afterward at the Mole Lake Tribal Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to a luncheon to celebrate Bob’s life at the Mole Lake Lodge after the burial.

Online condolences for the family may be directed to weberhillfuneralhome.com.