WILLIAMSBURG —
Merlin Edmond "Merle" Lautner, 88, of Williamsburg, was called home to work in God's garden on June 3, 2011.
Merle was born March 7, 1923, to Augusta and Anthony Lautner in Acme. On Nov. 8, 1947, he married Mary Lou Gray in Lake Ann.
Merle was a great carpenter and could make anything out of wood. His finish carpentry was requested by many because of the quality of his work.
After he retired, he put his heart and soul into gardening. His garden was perfection, not a weed to be found. He shared his vegetables with friends and family. In the winter when he couldn't garden, he designed and made wooden bowls, which are magnificent works of art.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Mary Lou; sons, Tony Lautner and Jack Lautner; brother, Earl Lautner; and sisters, Elaine Lautner Skiver, Alberta Lautner Gee and Dorothy Lautner Hughes.
Merle is survived by daughters, Gayle Lautner and Bonnie Way; daughter-in-law, Rosie Lautner; grandchildren, Kristy (John) Giddis, Julie (Jerry) Parrish, Jodi Lautner, Troy (Kina) Moore, Sean (Nicole) Way, Hunter Way and Natalie (Jeff) Terrell; great-grandchildren, Jon Lautner, Corey Clark, Mari Courtade, Jayle Parrish, Jesy Parrish, Bailey Lautner, Zander Terrell, Olivia Terrell, Jordan Parrish, Juni Parrish, Corinne Moore and Nicklas Moore, Jade and Andrew Giddis; brothers, Don (Wilma) Lautner and Charles (Kathy) Lautner; sisters, Betty (Tom) Haywood, Eleanor (Henry) Herrmann and Nancy (Robert) Haywood; and sister-in-law, Alice Gates; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
His family and friends loved and respected him so much and were blessed to have known him.
Visitation will be held on Monday, June 6, 2011, at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home, from 5 to 8 p.m. Funeral services will take place on Tuesday at 1 p.m., also at the funeral home. Pastor Clifford Batterbee will serve as the officiant.
Please sign Merle's online guestbook at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com .