Joseph S. Merk

Joseph Sebastian Merk Joseph age 84, of Fox Lake, passed away on Monday, February 15, 2021,at Harbor Haven health & Rehabilitation, Fond du Lac, WI. Joseph was born February 17, 1936 in Germany to Sebastian and Bibiana (Dopfer) Merk. He immigrated to the US in 1953 with his younger brother George to live with their guardians, uncle George Dopfer and his wife Dorothy on their farm near Fox Lake. His younger brother George enlisted in the US Army in 1962 and after discharge decided not to return to the farm. Joseph did not attend school in the US. He never married and suffered from mental illness most of his life. He lived on the farm all of his life. After his uncle George passed away in 1980, he lived alone on the farm until a major auto accident in September 2017. He was hospitalized for 5 weeks and then transferred to Harbor Haven Healthcare & Rehabilitation Facility in Fond du Lac, WI. Joseph was preceded death by his parents and older brother, all in Germany, and uncle George Dopfer of Fox Lake. Survivors include his sister Bibiana Siegel of Leutkirch,Germany; brothers: Johann Merk of Kempten,Germany and George (Linda) Merk of Columbus, IN; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, all who live in Germany. To abide by the wishes of Joseph, he will be cremated and inurnment will take place at Hillside Cemetery in Columbus, WI by his uncle and aunt, George and Dorothy Dopfer.