Merle L. Wisner

Merle Wisner passed away peacefully with his wife, Caroll Wisner by his side, in Corvallis, Oregon on August 5, 2024. He had just reached the age of 95, a few days prior. Merle was born in 1929, and he was the oldest of 2 brothers and 6 sisters. Born and raised in Sioux City, Iowa, he grew up hunting, fishing, and swimming along the Missouri River. He went to Catholic School in Sioux City and was an altar boy. When he was 15 years old, he started driving a truck hauling fruit and vegetables. When he was old enough, he enlisted in the military during World War II. He did his basic training in San Antonio, TX and then went to San Juan, Puerto Rico. He was in the Army-Aircorps from 1947-1950 and was in a Flight Squadron. He served in the Airforce in the 343rd Reconnaissance Squad and it was the 1st Photo Reconnaissance Group that took photos and making maps from Florida to Fairbanks Alaska, the North Pole to the Bearing Straights, the Russian Coast and South America. He was a flight engineer on a B29 Flying Fortress, tail #431981. 343rd Strategic Reconnaissance squad that was part of the 55th wing that is at Offutt Airforce Base in Nebraska. He was recalled for 11 months during the Korean War to Base Flight Squadron BN7 and went to Eglin Air Force Base in the western Panhandle of Florida near Valparaiso, FL. He was honorably discharged in 1951 and then married the love of his life, Lois Certain. They met through his sister Tootie, while they were working together at a café. They fell in love and were married in June of 1952, weeks after Lois graduated from High School. They were married until her death in 2002. Their first child, Pam, was born in Sioux City and they decided to move to California where they had their remaining three kids, Mark, Wally and Laura. Merle continued his trucking career after the military and was a long line truck driver for Consolidated Freightways and was awarded the Safe, 8 million miles and then became a car hauler until his retirement from the Teamsters Union in 1986. He, Lois and their youngest daughter Laura then moved to Alsea, Oregon. They eventually moved to Corvallis, OR and in 2002 Lois passed away from a long battle with lung cancer and Merle took care of her in their home until she passed. He was lucky to find the second love of his life when he met Caroll through a mutual friend. They dated and were married. He moved out to her ranch in Alsea, Oregon where she maintained raising cattle and growing feed. They enjoyed traveling, gardening and working at the ranch. She is a wonderful wife and an amazing stepmom. We always said he got lucky the second time around again and has been married to Caroll for 21 years. We always say, she was sent from God. People naturally gravitated to his wonderful personality, he could make people laugh and feel comfortable almost instantly. He had an infectious laugh and was quite the jokester. He was the type of person that even when you met him for the first time, you would feel like you had known him forever. He is survived by his wife Caroll, his two remaining sisters, Darlene and Tootie, 4 children Pam Cecchini, Mark Wisner, Wally Wisner and Laura Stone. He has 9 grandkids, 13 great grandkids and one great-great, little girl on the way. Merle will be laid to rest in Alsea, Oregon at a graveside service with the Air Force Honor Guard. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Lois, his parents, Amelia and John, his brothers, Jackie and Dave, and his sisters, Barbara, Caroll, Diana and Madonna. In lieu of flowers you may donate, in his name, to the Wounded Warriors Project. We love you daddy, you were always such a wonderful husband, father, and role model for all of our family including your brothers and sisters. You will live on in our hearts forever.

Merle L. Wisner

August 2, 1929 - August 5, 2024