Merlin L. Fox, age 85 of Shawano, passed away Sunday, April 28, 2013 at Maple Health Care Center. Born on February 5, 1928 in Whiting, he was the son of the late Leslie and Mildred (Newby) Fox. After graduating from high school, Merlin enlisted with the United States Navy and served his country for two years. On August 20, 1949 he was united in marriage to Annabelle Firkus in Stevens Point. After marriage, the couple made their home and raised their children in the Shawano area where Merlin worked as an x-ray technician for 45 years at the Cantwell-Peterson Clinic. He was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Shawano where he served as an usher for 50 years. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus. In his younger years, Merlin was an avid sportsman and enjoyed hunting and fishing. Throughout his life he also enjoyed bowling and playing poker. Merlin loved spending time on Shawano Lake where they ice fished in the winter and swam in the summer. He was a sports fan who enjoyed the Milwaukee Braves, the Milwaukee Brewers and the Green Bay Packers and he passed that love of sports on to his children. Above all, Merlin was a family man who loved time spent with his kids and his beloved grandchildren. Merlin is survived by: his 2 daughters, Barbara (David) Sauer of Fitchburg, Nancy (Wayne) Fox-Krueger of Shawano; his 2 sons, Randall (Jean) Fox of Waupaca, Brian J. (Sandy) Fox of Germantown and Shawano; 10 grandchildren, Christie Sauer, Julie (Adam) Book, Stacie (Chris) Tierney, Katie (Jake) Bohm, Tony (Heather Ritchie) Jeske, Chris (Heather) Fox, Lindsey Fox, Kelsey Fox, Brianna Fox, Cassandra Fox; 4 step grandchildren, Rikki Springer, Marcus, Christie and Wayne Krueger; 2 great-grandchildren, Hudson Bohm, Annabel Book; 3 step great-grandchildren, Skye and Gabe Bohm, Hennessy Sturgul; a brother, Arnie (Sue) Fox of Stevens Point; 2 sisters-in-law, LaVerne Fox of AZ, Bernadette Firkus of Stevens Point; and nieces and nephews including special nephew, Larry (Linda) Norton. Merlin was preceded in death by: his wife, Annabelle on October 17, 2005; his parents; a brother, Ransler Fox; a sister, Violet Tryczak; and a brother-in-law, Dennis Firkus. Funeral services will be held at 11:00am on Friday, May 3, 2013 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Shawano with the Rev. Len Evers officiating. Inurnment will be in the Guardian Angel Cemetery in Stevens Point. Visitation will be held at the church on Friday from 9:30am until the time of the service. In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, the family asks that donations be made in the Merlin's name to the National Parkinson Foundation or the Alzheimer's and Dementia Alliance of Wisconsin. Swedberg Funeral Home in Shawano is assisting the family with the arrangements. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Maple Lane Health Care Center and at Maple View. www.swedbergfuneralhome.com