Funeral service for Merle Wahl, 88 of Aberdeen, formerly Mound City and Mobridge, will be 10:00 AM, Monday, June 6, 2016 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Mobridge, SD. Visitation will be Sunday, June 5, 2016 at 5 :00 PM with a prayer service at 6:00 PM at Trinity Lutheran Church. Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery in Mobridge under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge. Merle passed away Tuesday, May 31, 2016 at Manor Care in Aberdeen.

Merle Eldon Wahl was born February, 29, 1928 to Fred and Caroline (Kessler) Wahl in Java SD. He was the youngest of three boys.

After graduating from Java High School in 1946, Merle enlisted in the U.S. Army on August 30, 1946. He was trained as a Heavy Weapons Crewman serving his country in the Pacific and Japan. Merle was a recipient of the World War II Victory Medal and the Army of Occupation Medal. He was honorably discharged August 29, 1947.

He returned to the family farm in Campbell County to farm with his father. Merle was united in marriage to Hilda Schneider (daughter of William and Emma Schneider, Java, SD) September 8, 1950. They lived on the Wahl Homestead just 10 miles south of Mound City, SD. He enjoyed farming, fishing, hunting and raising their son Eldon. Merle also worked for the Corp of Engineers for 6 years. When they retired from the farm they moved and made their home in Mobridge for 17 years. In addition to reading almost every Western book, he enjoyed coffee time with his friends at Burger King, playing Chinese checkers and pinochle, telling stories and pulling your leg! In March 2012 they moved to Aberdeen to live on a small hobby farm with their son Eldon and Jane.

Merle is survived by his son, Eldon (Jane Ohlde) Wahl; two grandchildren, Chad Ohlde, Samantha (John) Hettich; three great grandchildren, Jason Ohlde, Taryn Hettich, and Nickolas Nilson; many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents; wife Hilda (Schneider) Wahl (December 9, 2012); and two brothers Edmund and Ervin.