Obituary of Merle Junior Fairbanks

Merle Junior Fairbanks, 81, of Saginaw, passed away Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018. Merle was born in Chicago, IL July 13, 1936 to Merle and Elvis "Peggy" Fairbanks. He graduated from Alborn High School in 1954. He then served in the Air Force during the Korean Conflict. Merle married Linda McGovern Nov. 26, 1960 and together they raised three children. He worked as a logger for many years and was a member of Local 49, working as an operating engineer until his retirement, Aug. 1, 2001. Merle was preceded in death by his wife, Linda; parents; two brothers; and four sisters. He is survived by his sons, Mike (Colleen), and Benjamin (Anne); his daughter, Cheryl; grandchildren, Jen, Jason, Ashley, Cody, Nikki, Miranda, Robert, Jake, Sami, Alex, Linda, and Lila; eight great-grandchildren; and his brother, John (Sharon). Visitation: 9 a.m. until the 10 a.m. Funeral Service, Friday, Jan. 19, 2018 at First Memorial Funeral Chapel, 4100 Grand Ave, Duluth.