Merlin Frank Graham

MADISON – Merlin Frank Graham, age 92, of Madison, Wisconsin, was welcomed into his Savior’s arms on October 31, 2026. He was born on February 25, 1934, in the town of Jackson, in Adams County, Wisconsin, to John “Clayton” Graham and Lana Sophia (née Purdy) Graham.

Merlin served in the Navy, both in active duty and reserve duty, for eight years. He was an electrician by trade and worked at Madison Gas and Electric and later at the UW Hospital in Madison. He was always willing to use his electrical skills to help others and volunteered his services to friends, family, and Camp Timber-lee.

In addition to helping others with his vocational skills, Merlin enjoyed attending and serving at church. He was a member of Middleton Baptist Church and later at Door Creek Church. He served in many roles during his lifetime including trustee, usher, and Bible Study Fellowship children’s leader. He enjoyed many pastimes and hobbies including clock-making, making sterling silver jewelry, using his lapidary skills, and reading books.

Merlin will be most remembered for his dedication to his family. His later years were dedicated to caring for his bride, Lois. In just two weeks, they would have celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary. He treasured his family and loved spending time with his grandchildren. He will be fondly remembered for taking grandkids to special places, playing catch, pitching a baseball, playing air hockey, and reading to his grandkids, on his lap.

He is survived by his wife, Lois (Dreyer) Graham; brother, Lawrence (Florinda) Graham, of Milwaukee; sister, Mollie (Graham) Zinke, of Oxford; sons, Steven (Dawn) Graham, of Sun Prairie and Phillip (Diana) Graham, of Madison; daughter, Carla (Dan) Nowak, of Athens; and seven grandchildren: Stephanie, Rebecca, Ryanne, Bryce, Caleb, Megan, and Faith; as well as one great-grandchild, Myles; and a great-granddaughter, due in two weeks. Merlin was preceded in death by his brother John “Wendell” Graham.

Funeral services will be held at Pflanz Mendrala Funeral Home, 430 W. Wisconsin St., Portage, Wisconsin, at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 7, 2026. A visitation will be from 10:00 until the time of service on Saturday, at the funeral home.