Aloysius J. Merges, 99, of Dubuque, passed away Tuesday, May 29, 2024, at Finley Hospital.

Visitation will be from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, June 2, at Egelhof, Siegert & Casper Funeral Home and Crematory, 2659 John F. Kennedy Rd., Dubuque, where there will be a prayer service at 6 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, June 3, at St. Catherine Catholic Church. Rev. Robert Gross will officiate. Interment will be in St. Catherine Cemetery.

Aloysius was born December 8, 1924 on the century family farm near St. Catherine, the son of Peter and Catherine (Muenster) Merges. He was educated in rural Dubuque Schools.

Along with his brother, Henry, Mr. Merges farmed, milked Holstein cattle, and raised hogs on the family century farm. Al believed in the value of a hard days work, and also had a quick wit.  He remained active into his later years, and was happy to continue to live on the family century farm his entire 99 years. He had a love for Holstein dairy cattle, dogs, Wheel of Fortune, and polka music, especially the Big Joe Polka.  Dodge trucks and International Harvester tractors were a passion for Al. He was very proud of his Luxembourg heritage, and was quite fluent in the language. His Catholic faith was deeply important to him, and he was a member of St. Catherine Parish for 99 years.

Surviving are a very special grand nephew and caregiver, Keith Kane, of Dubuque; his nieces and nephews, Marian Kane, of Key West, Paul Merges and Francis (Jane) Merges, both of Peosta, John (Sheila) Merges, Frank (Eileen) Merges, and Rosemary  Schreiber, all of Dubuque, Dorothy (Leon) Steines, of Bernard, Teri (Gene) Hohmann, of St. Catherine, and Ed (Nancy) Merges, of Sherrill; also surviving are many great nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Peter and Catherine; nine siblings, Catherine, Barbara, John, Florence, Peter, Frank, Agatha, Henry, and Bernard; two sisters-in-law, Veronica Merges and Ruth Merges; two nephews, Edmund Merges and Kevin Kane; two nephews-in-law, Don Kane and John Schreiber; and his niece-in-law, Inez Merges.

Memorials may be made to the Aloysius Merges Memorial Fund.

Al’s family would like to thank Dr. John Whalen, Dr. Mark Liaboe and his nurse Trish, Dr. John Dolehide, and Dr. Mohammed Peracha, as well as his nurses Abby, Morgan, and David at Finley Hospital.