Mervyn “Merv” Michael Rafko, age 78, passed away on June 22, 2022 at The Pavilion in Slinger. He was born on December 27, 1943 in IL to Michael and Linda (nee Bartelt) Rafko. He was raised in Kennan, WI on a small farm where he learned from his dad how to hunt, fish and trap. Merv married his soul mate, Carol J. Kempen, on August 25th, 1962. They met when they were 11 years old planting trees at the Meadow Creek School Forest- where Carol told her friends “I am going to marry that cutie some day”. After graduating high school, they moved to Milwaukee, and he became a Mason. They were blessed with 4 children and moved to Hubertus in 1970. Merv was a great marksman and very proud of it. He passed on all his skills to his children and grandchildren. Merv spent endless hours in his garage making things to help people. He stood up for what he believed in no matter what and held his ground for the truth. He was always quick with a joke or a comeback. Merv loved spending time with his family.

Merv is survived by his wife of almost 60 years, Carol; children, Mark ( Sherry), Don (Debra), Brenda (Dave Allen) Rafko, Craig (Laura); grandchildren, Tom (April), Jennifer (Andy) Nichols, Stacy, Samantha (Adam) Blazek, Priscilla, Riley and Nathan; great-grandchildren, Joshua, Ella, Parker, Quinn, Elliott, Ava, Gracie and Kendra; siblings, Beverly (Bob) Hora, Gloria (Jerry) Timmers, Lynn (Sue) Rafko; siblings-in-law, Lorraine (Harold) Mustard, Jack Kempen, Ken (Ruth) Kempen, George Kruppe, Dave Kempen, Pat (Beatle) Vollendorf, Dan (Sue) Kempen and Lee (Merry) Kempen. He is further survived by cousins, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Merv is preceded in death by his parents, his parents-in-law Louis (Margaret) Kempen, his siblings-in-law, Diane (Larry) Peroutka, Annie Kruppe and Denise Kempen.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be at 12:00pm on Thursday, June 30, 2022 at St. Gabriel Parish (1200 St. Gabriel Way Hubertus, WI 53033) with Fr. Timothy C. Bickel presiding. Visitation will be at church on Thursday, June 30th from 10:0am until 11:45am.

A special thank you to the Pavilion staff, especially Kerry and Ali for the loving care provided.