Rev. Merlin James Hoeft, 95, retired United Methodist pastor, died Saturday, August 29, 2015 at his home in Evergreen Retirement Community–Oshkosh surrounded by his family.
Visitation will be Friday, September 4, 2015, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Seefeld Funeral Home, 1025 Oregon St., Oshkosh, WI, and at the church on Saturday starting at 11 a.m.
Services will be held at the Algoma Boulevard United Methodist Church, 1174 Algoma Blvd., Oshkosh, at noon Saturday, September 5, 2015, with Rev. Cathy Weigand, officiating.
Condolences may be sent to Seefeld Funeral Home, www.seefeldfuneral.com
Merlin was born March 8, 1920, in the town of Poy Sippi, Wisconsin, son of the late Bertha (Dopp) and George Hoeft. He graduated from Omro High School in 1938 and worked on his parents' homestead until entering North Central College in Naperville, Ill., in 1941.
He was sworn into the U.S. Army in October 1942 and served in the 183rd Ordnance Depot. His unit served in the Pacific Theater. He received two battle stars: for Leyte Gulf and the invasion of Okinawa. He also served in the occupation of Korea. He was honorably discharged as a sergeant in January 1946.
He married Ferne Hack on February 27, 1944 while on furlough from the Army. They lived in Naperville, Ill., where he completed his college degree and seminary training. Ferne was a reporter and co-editor of two local publications at the time and their first child, a daughter, Meryl Lee, was born. Son, Michael, was born in 1955 when Merlin was serving at his first parish and daughter, Marjean, in 1957 at Merlin's second parish.
Merlin was ordained by the Evangelical United Brethren (EUB) Church in 1950 and was assigned Wisconsin parishes in Reedsville, 1950-1955; Milwaukee Bethel, 1955-1957; Bonduel Zion and Red River Salem, 1957-1965; Kenosha Memorial, 1965-1977; Salem 1977-1983 and Marion-Wittenberg, 1983-1988.
Pastor Hoeft's regular duties included conducting Sunday services, teaching catechism, supporting church social organizations for various ages, and officiating at baptisms, weddings and funerals. He served on the Hospital Insurance Committee of the former Wisconsin EUB Church and on the Board of Pensions when the EUB merged with the Methodists in 1968. Merlin served as camp director for youth camps at EUB Camp Lucerne in Waushara County one week every summer.
At the Bonduel-Red River parishes, he initiated two new programs: Youth Fellowship and Young Adults, which both became active organizations. He oversaw the centennial celebration of Salem UM Church in 1979. He gave a moving sermon reflecting on his career at Reedsville UM Church when that congregation celebrated its centennial in 2012.
He was a member of the Bonduel Rotary Club. In Kenosha, he was president of Bain School PTA, a Cub Scout master, a member of the VFW and the Protestant Chaplain of the Kenosha chapter of the American Cancer Society.
Merlin and Ferne enjoyed vacations with the family at their cabin near Wautoma, Wis., and took them camping around the country when the children were older. The family volunteered one week to help build an adobe church in El Rito, N.M., in 1964. He also enjoyed gardening every chance he got. Merlin was proud of Ferne's accomplishments as a journalist and teacher. They grew more devoted to each other every day of their 71-year marriage.
After retiring, he conducted Bible study at Evergreen and carried a sermon in the breast pocket of his suitcoat when he attended chapel "in case the chaplain didn't show up." Merlin continued to witness to his faith every day of his life.
He is survived by his wife, Ferne; daughters Meryl Lee (Stu) Nelson in Stevens Point; Marjean (Lisa Vecoli) Hoeft in Minneapolis; and son Michael (Patty Ninham) Hoeft in Oneida, Wis.; granddaughters Lauren (Kyle) Cornelius and Olivia Hoeft; brothers Hubert Hoeft, Omro; Robert Hoeft, Berlin; and numerous nieces, nephews and their descendants.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Donald, Lewis, Norman, Raymond and Kenneth; sister Luella; and son-in-law Stu Nelson.
Donations may be made to the Evergreen Foundation 1130 N. Westfield St, Oshkosh WI 54902, and the American Cancer Society.