Frederick “Fred” Merow, age 74, of Clintonville passed away Tuesday, October 15, 2019 at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center, Appleton.
Frederick John Merow was born on August 27, 1945 in Melrose Park, Illinois to Frederick and Henrietta (Burton) Merow. Fred grew up in the Melrose Park area and graduated in 1963 from Proviso West High School in Hillside, IL. He was united in marriage on September 20, 1975 to Victoria H. Schmidt at St. Rose Catholic Church in Clintonville. In his early days, Fred worked at FWD Corporation in Clintonville and at Hillshire Farms in New London. Then he started building furniture and working in the rough mill for Simmons Juvenile Furniture in New London. Fred was employed mostly in the warehouse division at Simmons for just over 34 years, retiring in 2005. Fred is a former member of St. Rose Catholic Church where he was active as a 4th Degree member of the Knights of Columbus. He helped with numerous Thanksgiving meals and served twice as the groups’ Grand Knight. His favorite pastime was being outdoors fishing, working in his vegetable garden, or making dill pickles. Fred also enjoyed watching the birds, coin collecting, and seeing an old steam train go by. He will be remembered most as a quiet and headstrong man, but he also had a quick and sassy sense of humor.
Survivors include his wife of 44 years, Vickie; and four children, Gregory (Amy) Merow of Port Washington, Ryan (Amy) Merow of Appleton, Scott Merow of Clintonville, and Nicole (Eric) Strysick of Port Washington. There are six grandchildren: Brian, Lillian, Norah, William, Reese, and Leila. There is one brother, Robert (Barb) Merow of Tucson, AZ, and one brother-in-law, William (Mary) Schmidt of Maribel. He is further survived by a niece, Kim (Jim) Lewis of Phoenix, AZ; a nephew, Patrick (Allison) Merow of Wasilla, AK; and many other relatives and friends. Fred was preceded in death by his parents Frederick and Henrietta; and his father and mother-in-law, Alvin and Hedwig “Harriet” Schmidt.
Funeral Service was held on Saturday, October 19th at 11:00 a.m. at Beil-Didier Funeral Home, Clintonville. Rev. Timothy Shillcox, O. Praem officiated and burial followed at St. Rose Cemetery, Clintonville. Visitation was held on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until time of service at the funeral home.
We wish to thank all the doctors and nurses at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center, especially the 7th floor team, for the compassionate and excellent care given to our family.