Merle attended Alva Public Schools, graduating from high school in 1941. He attended Northwestern State College (now NWOSU) for one year before joining the Army Air Corps at the beginning of WWII. Upon his discharge from the Army in 1945, he worked for almost a year as a mechanic in his Uncle Gustave Fettke’s auto repair garage in New York City. He then returned to Alva where he worked various jobs: Alva Bottling Company, W.B. Johnston, and delivering butane. He joined the Post Office as a letter carrier in 1958, retiring in 1983 as Assistant Postmaster. He then worked for over a decade for Alva Roofing Company as bookkeeper.

In October 1947, he married Lorraine Bender. To this union two sons were born: Steven and Mark. Lorraine preceded him in death May 4, 2009. Merle attended the Alva Friends Church, where he became a Christian in 1954. He served there faithfully as Sunday school superintendant, trustee, and bookkeeper.

Merle was preceded in death by his parents; his wife and his brother, Richard Fettke.

He is survived by his son Steven and his wife, Lorraine K. “Tilly” Fettke (Lakeland, Florida) and their children: Phillip, Stephanie, and Sophia, his son, Mark Fettke, (Lakeland, Florida) and by his siblings: Norma Wittmer (Colorado Springs, Colorado), and Paul Fettke (Dallas, Texas.).

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Merle’s honor to the Alva Friends Church, 614 College Ave., Alva.