Reuben A. Merkel, 88 of rural Marshfield returned to the Lord on Saturday morning, September 20, 2014 at the Marshfield Care Center. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 am Thursday, September 25, 2014 at St. John's Catholic Church with Fr. Sam Martin officiating. St. John's Funeral Choir will provide the music for the service. Burial will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery with grandsons as pallbearers. Visitations will be 4-8pm Wednesday at the Rembs Funeral Home and again on Thursday at the church from 9:30 am until service times. Reuben was born on February 17, 1926 in the town of McMillan to Benedict H. and Anna M. (Martin) Merkel. He attended St. John's Parochial School. Reuben was united in marriage to Agnes M. Fuchs on May 22, 1951 at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Hewitt. He dedicated his life to the family farm as he felt privileged to provide for others through dairy farming. His strong work ethic drew him to an appreciation of nature, its beauty and bounty. Reuben enjoyed dancing, playing the accordion, fishing and whittling. Reuben is survived by his wife Agnes, children Antoinette "Toni" (Larry) Hunter of Byron, MN, Al (Vicki) Merkel of Stratford, Alvin (Mariann) Merkel of Marshfield, Bernadette (Larry) James of Brown Deer and Timothy Merkel of Marshfield; 7 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. He is further survived by his siblings, Oscar Merkel of Watertown, Ben Merkel of Fond du Lac and Mary Brock of Marshfield. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter Susan Merkel, three brothers, Ambrose and Joseph in infancy, Alfred Merkel, two sisters, Margaret Reinders and Clara Switlick. Condolences may be sent online to www.rembsfh.com