Merle Leo Grubish, 87

Merle Leo Grubish, age 87 of Waterville died on Thursday, January 25, 2018 at the Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato. Born on November 29, 1930 in Waseca, Minnesota he was the son of Charles and Marie (Stangler) Grubish.  He attended country school and graduated from Waterville High School.  Merle was drafted into the U.S. Air Force and served in England from 1952 until 1956.  Following his honorable discharge, Merle returned home where he farmed in three counties.  He loved his time on the farm and following his retirement and move to Waterville, he worked for Timm’s Trucking for many years and also mowed for Waterville Township.   Merle married Phyllis (Weilage) Keough on June 11, 1966 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church where he was a life-long member and had been active with the Knights of Columbus.  Merle loved his family and friends and was a wonderful storyteller.  He also loved to travel, go to auctions and polka music. He is survived by his wife, Phyllis of Waterville; three children, Richard (Kathy) Keough of Toms River, NJ, Jeffrey (Colleen) Keough of Farmington, and Karen Chambers of Mankato; and six grandchildren, Kendrick and Kyle Keough of Toms River, NJ, Brent and Brittney Keough of Farmington, Lindsey Chambers of Philadelphia, PA, and Luke Chambers of Mankato.  He is also survived by siblings, Mahlon (Gert) Grubish of Waterville, Paul Grubish of Scottsdale, AZ, Stan (Marilyn) Grubish of Waterville, Mary (Jim) Rooney of Toledo, OH, Charlotte (Bruce) Kaiser of Blackfoot, ID, and Peter Grubish of Reno, NV; brothers and sisters-in-law, Ken (June) Weilage of North Mankato, Bev Abbe of Mankato, Carol (Mike) Cieraszynski of Ashland, KY, Gary Weilage of Lexington, KY, and Connie Sawatzky of Rochester; and many nieces and nephews.  Merle was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Norbert Grubish. Visitation will be held at Dennis Funeral & Cremation Services in Waterville on Sunday, January 28, 2018 from 3-7 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Monday, January 29, 2018 at 10 a.m. at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Waterville with Rev. Michael Ince officiating. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery in Waterville.  dennisfuneralhomes.com