Wallace 'Wally' Pophal

Wallace W. ‘Wally’ Pophal, 91, of Merrill, passed away Thursday, October 18, 2018 at Pine Crest Nursing Home, Merrill. Wally was born March 11, 1927, in Merrill, son of the late Herman and Julia (Lokemoen) Pophal. He married Beverly Brown on June 17, 1955 at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, Merrill. She survives. Wally enlisted in the United States Navy on April 19, 1945 during World War II. He was honorably discharged on July 23, 1946 after serving in both the Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean aboard a Navy Destroyer Tender. Wally worked as a custodian for Merrill Area Public Schools and had worked at Scott School, Midway School, Merrill Junior High School and Merrill Senior High School. Wally enjoyed cutting firewood and watching football. He was an avid fan of the Green Bay Packers. He also enjoyed watching the Chicago Blackhawks and the Rockford IceHogs hockey teams. Wally also enjoyed hunting and Muskie fishing. Wally’s favorite bait was a bucktail spinnerbait that had been made with skunk hair. For 18 years, Wally and his son, Randy, fished in the Muskies Inc. Fall Tournament in Hayward, Wisconsin. Survivors include his wife, Beverly Pophal of Merrill; daughter, Cathy (Ronald) Taylor of Belvidere, Illinois; son, Randy (Kathryn) Pophal of Merrill; grandchildren, Jennifer (Kevin) Swearingen, Sarah (Gabe) Mendez, Lynn (Mike) Borkenhagen and Lee Pophal; great-grandchildren, Cameron Swearingen, Taylor Mendez, Bryce Mendez and Eliana Mendez.; and several nieces and nephews. Wally was preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Julie Pophal; sister, Joyce Henrichs; and brother, Stanley Pophal. The funeral service for Wally Pophal will be held at 10:30 A.M. Saturday, October 20, 2018 at the Taylor-Stine Funeral Home, Merrill. Rev. Patricia Schutz will officiate. Burial will take place in Merrill Memorial Park Cemetery with graveside military rites conducted by Merrill’s V.F.W. Post 1638 Honor Guard. The visitation will begin at 9:00 A.M. Saturday at the funeral home.