Joseph A. Merila

Joseph Aaron Merila, 61, a resident of Oulu, WI, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, July 6, 2024, in his home. He was born in Fort Riley, Kansas, on September 22, 1962, the son of Robert S. Merila and Mary (Warbalow) Reijo.

He graduated from Northwestern High School in Maple, WI, in 1981. Joe worked most of his life for Loram Maintenance of Way in Hamel, MN, holding many titles, including General Superintendent

Joe had many interests, including cooking, which he was very good at; hunting, which he loved to do each season; reading, and especially Western books, and he was always looking for the best rummage sales & estate sales to find anything that caught his eye. He loved living in the countryside of Wisconsin, where he could feed the animals and birds and hop on his side-by-side for a ride. He was one of a kind and quite a jokester, but he had a huge heart and was always there to lend a hand to those in need. He was loved by everyone and will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

He is survived by his wife Aura Merila; son Joseph Neigebauer, Denver, CO; stepson David Garzon, New York; mother Mary (Butch) Reijo; siblings Debra (Andrew) Frostman, Oulu, WI, Ramona Lind, Oulu, Candy (Todd) Wick, Poplar, WI, Grace Line, Superior, WI, Gina (Donald) Norman, Wascott, WI, Roberto Laniado, Hamel, MN, Michael (Lisa) Piller, Superior, and Bonnie Brannan, Wascott; bonus mom Edith Merila; and many nieces and nephews.

Joe is preceded in death by his father Robert Merila; brother Sean Merila; and sister Diane Walsh.

A Visitation will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, July 13, 2024, at Lenroot-Maetzold Funeral Home, 1209 E. 5th Street in Superior. It will continue until the Memorial Service at 2:00 PM, with Pastor Darrell Kyle officiating.

Burial will be in Lakeside Cemetery in Wentworth (Lakeside Township), WI.

To leave a condolence or sign the guestbook, please visit www.lenroot-maetzold.com.