Merlin August Voss

TOWN OF MIDDLETON-Merlin August Voss, age 94, passed away on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2014. He was born on May 6, 1920, the son of John and Emma (Dahlk) Voss. Merlin married Ali Wheeler on Aug. 17, 1985 at West Middleton Lutheran Church. He was born in the Town of Middleton, and lived there his entire life. He graduated in 1937 from Middleton High School and in 1940 from Madison Business College. Merlin took over the family farm after marrying Eleanor Zwettler in 1943. Together they raised ten children, welcoming many other children to the family over the years. Merlin was proud of his children and their accomplishments, especially of the fact that all ten received college degrees and several advanced degrees. Merlin also worked as Fieldman for Dane County Holstein Breeders Co-op for 38 years. Merlin had a lifetime passion for sports, playing organized baseball and basketball for years. He coached baseball for many years and youth basketball for six decades. The Speedway Bluebirds Basketball Program remains his legacy. Merlin was a pioneer in coaching girls basketball. Many young men and women who played on his teams had continued success, playing high school and college basketball including Division 1. He was an award winning coach, recognized for his many contributions to youth development and education. Some of his awards include: 1996 Service to Mankind, Middleton Sertoma Service Club; Olympian of the Year, Service Clubs of Madison; Madison Mallards Wall of Fame; and 2006 Grand Marshall “Middleton Good Neighbor Festival”. He was the unofficial coach/physical education teacher for Middleton Area elementary schools including Cleveland, West Middleton, Middleton Junction, Gammon and Gordon. He was a 4-H advisor. Merlin was an avid Packers, Badgers and Brewers fan. He is survived by his wife, Ali Voss; children, Jim (Sheila) Voss, George Voss, Sue Sprague, Marty (Karen) Voss, Kyle Voss, Jeff (Jan) Voss, Kim Voss, Nick (Julie) Voss, Luanne (Greg) Fax, and Jon (Christine) Voss; 25 grandchildren; Marc Voss, Kelli (Mike) Buchanan, Jamey Voss, David Parsons, Courtney (Jesse) Klingbeil, Callie (Jake) Crass, Steven (Katie) Voss, Jason (Jenny) Sprague, Sarah (Andy) Napgezek, Jessie Voss (Robert Owen), Kim (Dave) Schumacher, Erika (Shane) Hickey, Elizabeth McCain Vieira, Melissa (Steve) Kartak, Mitch (Megan) Voss, Garrett Voss, Alex Voss, Luke Voss, Nichole (Paul) Weresch, Kyle Fax, Emily Fax, Leah Fax, Sydney Voss, Janel Voss, and Nathan Voss. 21 great-grandchildren; Krystal Buchanan, Jeffrey Buchanan, Carly Parsons, Taylor Klingbeil, Hudson Klingbeil, Grady Crass, Wyatt Crass, Ethan Sprague, Isabelle Sprague, Jack Napgezek, Gabe Napgezek, Jesse Napgezek, Owen Schumacher, Simon Hickey, Gus Hickey, Oliver Vieira, Abigail Kartak, Alice Kartak, William Kartak, Maximus Voss, and Finn Weresch; sister, Anna Mae (James) Simon, sister-in-law , Jan (Mark) Smukler. Merlin was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Vanita (Orvin) Bollenbach; and brother, Gilman (Kathryn) Voss. Funeral services will be held at WEST MIDDLETON LUTHERAN CHURCH, 3763 Pioneer Rd., Verona, at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2014, with Pastor Ted Lindquist presiding. Burial will be at Middleton Junction Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2014, at the church from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., and at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Wednesday. For more information and online condolences, please visit www.gundersonfh.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Speedway Bluebirds Basketball Program or West Middleton Lutheran Church. “Keep smiling” “Better now that you’re here” “You ain’t a woofin’!” “You are the second nicest guy I know” Gunderson West Funeral & Cremation Care 7435 University Ave. (608) 831-6761