Merrill "Tinker" Thompson

Merrill G. “Tinker” Thompson, age 79 years, of Elroy, passed away on Tuesday, November 24, 2009 at the Gundersen Lutheran Hospital in LaCrosse, Wisconsin.

He was born on December 15, 1929 to Winnie “Sparky” and Marcia (Jacobs) Thompson at Hillsboro.  Merrill grew up at Elroy and graduated from the Elroy High School.  He was united in marriage to Mary Boyle on July 28, 1952 in Wonewoc.

He served in the U.S. Army from 1952 to 1954 during the Korean War.  Tinker worked for many years as a Carpenter in the Elroy area and was a member of the Elroy American Legion Post serving as Commander for several years; he also served as Juneau County Commander.

Survivors include his wife, Mary of Elroy; children, Stephen Thompson (special friend, Rose) of New London, Marciann Wilson (special friend, Doug Strander) of Madison, Mary Jo (Denny) Klipstein of Elroy, Kim (Joe) Ambort of Elroy, and Colleen (Steve) Green of Elroy; nine grandchildren, Scott, Julie (Brian), Clinton, Chad (Tessa), Amy Jo (Scott), Daniel (Stacy), Dustin (Casey), Tony (Kelly), and Todd; three great-grandchildren, Katelyn, Ashleigh, and Elizabeth; and a sister, Marilou “Mickey” Carpenter of Elroy.  He was preceded in death by his Parents and a son-in-law, Allan Wilson.