Merlyn G. Wooster

2020-09-17T08:07:25-05:00
Navy Badge
  • Name: Merlyn G. Wooster
  • Location of Birth: Ely, Minnesota
  • Date of Birth: January 6, 1925
  • Date of Death: January 2, 2012 (86 years old)
  • Parents: George Wooster and Mary (Cuttlad) Wooster
  • High School and Class:
  • College:
  • Highest Rank:
  • Branch: Navy
  • Other Branch:
  • Date Sworn In: 1943
  • Place Sworn In:
  • Date of Discharge: 1946
  • Place of Discharge:
  • Military Awards:

  • Military Highlights:
    Merlyn joined the United States Navy in 1943, serving on the USS Marshall in the South Pacific during World War II. He was honorably discharged in 1946.

  • Wars Involved:
    World War II

  • MIA / POW:

  • Civilian Life:
    Merlyn grew up in Hinckley, Minnesota on the family farm.

    After Merlyn's discharge from the service, he met and married Violet Ernstsen in 1948.

    They soon moved to Hibbing, Minnesota where he drove truck for Hanna Mining Company's Douglas Mine for a few years. Then they moved to Bear River, Minnesota in 1951, where he has since resided.

    Merlyn was a carpenter for Max Gary Construction for twenty-three years, then with Ryan Construction until his retirement.

    His lifelong passion was trapping. He enjoyed hunting, especially deer hunting. Merlyn cut his own firewood for many years, and still used the firewood this year that he earlier had cut.

    He was a member of the former Greaney American Legion Post 605 and a 50-year member of the Carpenter's Local 606.

    Merlyn's family has a long association with the Bear River Lutheran Church. He was a trusted friend and neighbor, and a friend to many.

    Merlyn is survived by three sons, George (Adeline), Daniel (Colleen), and Patrick (Pam); three daugthers, Sandra Byzewski, Sharan (Steve) Guinn, and Donna (Don) Snell; a step-son Warren (Sue) Hagsten; two sisters, Violet (Paul) Hampey and Mae Salmon; seventeen grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren; and many friends.

    He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Violet on January 31, 1993; a daughter, Christine "Tenna" Perkio on April 16, 2005; a daughter-in-law, Debbie Wooster; a son-in-law, Jerry Byzewski; a granddaughter, Michelle (Perkio) Perander; and three sisters, Betty Schafer, Myrtle Hickle, and Edna Wheatman.

    Merlyn passed away at the University Medical Center-Mesabi in Hibbing, Minnesota and is buried in the Bearville Cemetery, Itasca County.

  • Tribal Affiliation(s):