Merlin L. Church

Merlin L. Church, 56, of Glyndon, MN, died Sunday, February 5, 2012 in Sanford Health, Fargo, ND. Merlin was born on February 16, 1955 in Breckenridge, MN to Elmer and Joann Neubauer Church. They later moved to the Glyndon, MN area, where he attended school. In 1981 he married Julie Moore. Merlin and Julie lived in Moorhead, Hillsboro, West Fargo and Glyndon during their years together. Merlin was a truck driver by trade, owning his own truck and driving over the road. He touched many lives with his humor and kindness. He was known as Uncle Merlin to all the children and many adults he knew; he was a man loved by all. Merlin loved dogs and always had at least one dog. Currently his girls, Nikki and Marley, were the loves of his life. Merlin is survived by his wife of 30 years, Julie, Glyndon, MN; mother, Joann Bob Benhardus, Fergus Falls, MN; two sisters, Connie Brandon Anderson, Downer, MN and Diane Harry VanMil, Oregon; two brothers, Lyle Eunice Church, Fargo, ND and Tim Bonnie Church, Moorhead, MN; mother-in-law, Beverly Moore, Moorhead, MN; sister-in-law, Laurie Gregor, Moorhead, MN; nieces and nephews, Chris VanMil, Barnesville, MN, Rob Kathy VanMil, Downer, MN, Katie Mike Viseth, Fargo, ND, Aaron Reiling Holly Ritchie, Barnesville, MN, April Reiling Andrew Nelson, Ulen, MN, Cody Ashly Church, Moorhead, MN, Carla Church, Moorhead, MN, Teresa Church, Moorhead, MN, T Jay Karissa Gregor, Moorhead, MN, Michael Sandra Sherman, Fargo, ND and Michelle Sherman, Fargo, ND; eight great-nieces and nephews as well as those whose lives he's touched. Merlin was preceded in death by his father, Elmer; father-in-law, Charles Moore; and sister-in-law Charlene Sherman. One day we will be together again.