Roger Gilson

Roger E. “Swede” Gilson, 85, of Merrill, died Sunday, November 15, 2009 at Pine Crest Nursing Home, under the care of Aspirus Hospice and Comfort care. He was born in Merrill on June 28, 1924, to the late Raymond and Marie (Zimmerman) Gilson. Roger married Beatrice Larson on December 11, 1944 in Merrill.

Roger was a 1942 graduate of Merrill Senior High School . After graduating, Roger joined the Army and served in the Aleutian Islands with the 177 ^th Engineers during WW2. After his military service, he attended vocational school. Roger was a life member of the VFW Post 1638 in Merrill and a member of Local 127 Asbestos Workers Union. In his free time he enjoyed fishing and woodworking.

Survivors include his wife, Beatrice; one daughter:, Juanita (David) Slavinsky of Bradenton, FL; two sons: Leroy (Marsha) of Merrill and Ron (Stacy) of Weston; four grandchildren: Rachel (Matthew) Beilke of Merrill, Shannon(Jeff Butler Jr.) Gilson of Merrill, Lee (Shirley) Slavinsky of Lake Tomahawk, and Brad (Kris) Slavinsky of Arbor Vitae; seven great-grandchildren: Michaela Kienbaum, Noah Beilke, Isaiah Beilke, Brett Slavinsky, Brandon Slavinsky, Sydney Slavinsky and Jamie Slavinsky; one brother: Raymond(Phyllis) Gilson of Merrill and two sisters: Loretta(Herman) Krueger and Betty(William) Fehrman, both of Merrill. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Robert and Sherwood.

Services will be held Thursday, November 19, 2009 at 10:30 AM at Waid Funeral Home. Rev. Robert Smallman will officiate. Visitation will be Thursday, November 19 ^th at 9:30 AM until the time of the service, also at the funeral home. Entombment will follow the service at Merrill Memorial Park. The Waid Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.waidfuneral.com .