Merlin W. “Mud” Timmerman, 87, of rural Galena, passed away on Saturday, December 10, 2022 at his home surrounded by family.  Funeral Mass will be 11:00 am, Thursday, December 15, 2022 at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Hazel Green, WI.  Family will greet friends 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm, Wednesday, December 14, 2022 at Furlong Funeral Chapel in Galena, additional visitation will begin at 10:00 am Thursday at the church prior to Mass.  Burial will be in St. Mary’s Vinegar Hill Cemetery in rural Galena with Military Honors.

Merlin was born April 8, 1935 in Dickeyville, Wisconsin, the son of Neil and Viola (Flogel) Timmerman.  He graduated from Loras Academy and then served his country in the US Army, serving two years in Germany.  He married Carol Schwendinger on February 2, 1963 at Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Dubuque.  Merlin was a cheese maker, milk hauler, carpenter, but most important he was a lifetime dairy farmer and loving, husband, father, and grandfather.  He enjoyed nature, trapping, fishing, hunting, and using his bulldozer.

Merlin was most proud of his family and his never-ending love for them.  He had a deep passion for agriculture and feeding the world.  He served on numerous boards and committees, was active in countless clubs and was a true steward of the land.  Most of all he cultivated this dedication for agriculture in his family for generations to come.

Survivors include his wife, Carol; their children, Joyce Furlong, Monica (Michael) Hoppman, Diane (James) Morgan, Jane (Dennis) Steffes, Neil (Jodi) Timmerman, Nick (Jessica) Timmerman, Ben (Carrie Grundhoefer) Timmerman, and Carrie (Kevin) Ward; 17 grandchildren, Nathan (Alisha), Niles (Tiffany), and Nakita Furlong, Lucas (Mackenzie), Michele (fiancé’ Michael Middendorf), and Bradley Hoppman, Justin and Anne Runde, Darcy (Austin) Ertmer, Kurt Timmerman, Karly (R.J.) Hess, Kasey and Kade Timmerman, Blaine Timmerman, Sutton Meusel, Brayden and Logan Ward; 8 great-grandchildren, Mackenzie, Mea, Alayna, Sawyer, and Dayton Furlong, Jacob Kane, Kinsley and Wylie Middendorf, and one on the way this December; siblings, Roman, Carl (Kay), and Ronald (Summer) Timmerman, and a brother in-law, Robert (Joan) Valentine; and numerous extended relatives.

Merlin was preceded in death by his parents; step-mother, Elizabeth Gerhards; father and mother in-law, Paul and Eleanor Schwendinger; sons in-law, Mark Furlong and Brian Runde; siblings, Leonard (Ruth), Frank (Darlene) Timmerman, Rozita Valentine; and a sister in-law, Cecelia Timmerman.

The family wished to thank Dr. Mary Koenigs for her compassionate care. 

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.furlongfuneralchapel.com