Merlin Rocker of Grass Valley, California, died June 12, 2002, after a lengthy illness. Military memorial services were held in Grass Valley, with interment at St. Peters Lutheran Church Cemetery at Hildreth, Neb.

Merlin Henry “Rock” Rocker was born Sept. 26, 1933, in Hildreth to John and Vera (Thonen) Rocker. He married Donna Braesch of Blair, the daughter of Hans and Anita Braesch, on June 26, 1955.

He retired from the Air Force after serving from 1953 to 1973, and retired from the Bank of America in 1994.

He is survived by his wife Donna, two daughters and a son-in-law, Tonya Rocker of San Francisco, Calif., and Sheila and Chris Rocker-Heppe of MicKinleyville, Calif; sister and brother-in-law, Elvera and Randy Dallman of Franklin, Neb.; two grandchildren; mother-in-law, Anita Braesch; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Shirley and Dick Robeson of Blair; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and father-in-law, Hans Braesch.

Memorials are suggested to the Society of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, Wood Home Medical Building, Suite 515, 1838 Green Tree Road, Baltimore, MD 21208.