Janet L. Merrill, age 85 of Oshkosh, passed away at Evergreen Retirement Community in Oshkosh on Thursday, September 4, 2014. She was born in Oshkosh on December 12, 1928 the daughter of the late Byron and Mary (Burt) Ising. On August 25, 1951 she married Russell Merrill at St. Peter Catholic Church, Oshkosh, with Monsignor McHugh officiating. Janet graduated from Oshkosh High School in 1947, and Northwestern University in 1951 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education. She began a career in teaching at St. Peter Catholic School and then spent many years raising her family. She went back to school in 1980 and completed her Masters Degree in Counseling from U.W. Oshkosh and became a counselor at Marion College. Her love of family led her to a variety of activities that benefitted her children, including: Cub Scouts, Lourdes Booster Club, Campfire Girls and numerous sporting activities with her children. Janet moved with her husband to Cave Creek, Arizona where they built their home, raised animals and welcomed family and friends. She will be remembered for her love of music, care of animals and devotion to family.
Janet is survived by her children: Jay (Nancy) Merrill of Oshkosh, Kathryn Wild of Ripon, James (Peggy) Merrill of Iron Mountain, Nancy (Mike) Sohr of Mesa, AZ, Henry (Elizabeth) Merrill of Oshkosh, and Timothy (Colleen) Merrill of Oshkosh; 26 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and brother, Burt (Marie) Ising. She was preceded in death by her husband, Russell; her parents; her daughter, Jane Promer; her sister, Genevieve (Harry) Krauspe; and her aunt, Lucille Burt.
The memorial service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, September 8, 2014 at the Seefeld Funeral Home. Friends will be received at the funeral home on Monday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service.
The family extends a special thank you to the Evergreen Community for their wonderful care. Further, thank you to Lynn Thill for her special care.
In lieu of flowers, please direct memorials in Janet's name to Oshkosh Humane Society, or to Evergreen Foundation-Memory of Music.