Merlin L. "Mert" Herlein

HERLEIN, MR. MERLIN "MERT" L. Muskegon Mr. Merlin ("Mert") Lammert Herlein, age 99, died Wednesday, August 23, 2006. He was born in Muskegon on June 21, 1907 the eldest of six children to Ben and Lena (Vanderlaan) Herlein. He married Grace Sadie Klemp on June 12, 1929 and was very proud of having been married for 52 years until her death in September of 1981. Mert was known throughout the Muskegon area for his many accomplishments. He was a skilled bowler who rolled several perfect games and won many championships, both local and statewide. He was a career mail carrier serving both Route 33 of the Muskegon Post Office and as President of Branch 13 of the National Association of Letter Carriers. He received Chronicle recognition, not only for pitching the "First Perfect Game in the History of the Triangle Softball League" on May 24, 1932, but for repeating that feat 17 years later at the age of 42 in the Old Timer's League of Muskegon Softball. Mert was a longtime member of Central Reformed Church, serving both on the consistory and as Sunday School Superintendent. He was very creative and talented with his hands and mind and greatly enjoyed completing exceptional works of arts and crafts in many media. He loved music, sports, travel and fishing. He was a singularly distinctive man with a well defined sense of humor, and a great appreciation for and enjoyment of his rich life. He will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved him. Mert was preceded in death by his loving wife, Grace, his beloved middle daughter, Peggy Alice (Ray) Ludwig, three sisters, Helen Jesperson, Thelma Visscher and Leona MacKay, a grandson, David Robert Herlein, two great-grandchildren, Mandy Sima and Seth Ludwig, and a friend Jessie Farr. SURVIVORS Mert's surviving children include 3 daughters, Vivian (Richard) Rademaker, Reverend Nancy Herlein, and Doris Herlein, and friend Marilyn, and one son, Merlin Robert (Virginia) Herlein. His 25 surviving grandchildren include, Janet (Dennis) Johnson, Lora Rademaker, Amy (Craig) Hanson, Dawn (Chuck) Collard, Randy (Karen) Herlein, Jim (Deb) Herlein, Chris (Shelly) Herlein, Lonny (Jeanette) Ludwig, Larry (Rose) Ludwig, Lanette (Bill) Vanderlinde, Lee (Lisa) Ludwig, Laurie (Ben) Coker, Lisa Ludwig and Mary Herlein. His 21 surviving great grandchildren are Jennifer (Matt) Braden, Sara (Keith ) Hogan, Melanie Sima, Nick Sima, Scott Herlein, Holly Herlein, Jamie Herlein, Deja Herlein, David Herlein, Heidi Herlein, Tiffany Ludwig, Brandon Ludwig, Jeremy Ludwig, Nathan Ludwig, Nick Vanderlinde, Stephanie Vanderlinde, Broderick Vanderlinde, Ben Ludwig, and Abigail Ludwig. He leaves 2 great-great grandchildren, Max and Lily and 2 brothers, Clare Herlein of Florida and Ben (Beverley) Herlein of California; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. SERVICE Saturday, August 26, 2006, 11:00 AM at Clock Chapel-Muskegon with Rev. James Bos officiating. Interment at Oakwood Cemetery. VISITATION Friday, 2-4 & 6-8 PM at Clock Funeral Home - Muskegon. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to leave a memory or sign the online guest book.