Merhage Michael,Jr. Obituary (1925 - 2011)

GRANTS - Merhage Michael Jr., a beloved husband and father, died on Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2011. He was 86. A Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m., Monday, Dec. 26, at St. Teresa Catholic Church. The Funeral Mass, officiated by the Rev. Alberto Avella, will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 27, at St. Teresa church. Burial will follow at the Grants Memorial Park . Merhage was born Sept. 11, 1925 to Merhage and Tameme Michael in San Mateo , N.M. He married Annie (Fitch) Michael on Aug. 11, 1956 in Grants, N.M. The Michaels resided in the Grants area, where they raised their family. Merhage, also known as "Junior," was a longtime Grants businessman, rancher and former political leader. He played a role in the early formation of Cibola County government as New Mexico 's newest county in 1981. He served on the county commission when Cibola County split from Valencia County . Merhage and his brothers operated the Michael Ranch near San Mateo for many years. He also co-owned Michael's Western Wear and Michael's Plaza and Liquor on Santa Fe Avenue . He graduated from Grants High School . The old school is now the Cibola County Courthouse and government offices. He left New Mexico to defend his country, serving in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was honorably discharged from the Army as a staff sergeant in April 1946. He ended his military career as a construction foreman assigned to the 1308th Engineer General Service Regiment in the European and Asiatic Pacific Theaters of Operation. Merhage enjoyed ranching, hunting, fishing and attending his children's and grandchildren's school events. He loved horses, the race horse industry and the New Mexico State Fair races. He also enjoyed visiting his family and friends, especially during Christmas celebrations in San Mateo . He was a member of the St. Teresa of Avila parish in Grants. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and a member of the Elks Lodge #2053 in Grants. Survivors include his wife, Annie, of Grants; three sons, Henry Michael of Grants, Pat and wife Cindy Michael of Winnemuca, Nev. and Howard Michael of Grants; three daughters, Janice and husband Bob Anderson of Henderson Nev., Nina Michael of Las Cruces, N.M. and Carla and husband Tim Archuleta of Christoval, Texas, two sisters Betty and husband Ted Cordova of Espanola and Florence and husband Albert Garcia of Grants. He had 14 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by sisters Lorraine Baird, Zelpha Sandoval, Mary Michael and Kate Tillman and four brothers, Azize Michael, Albert Michael, Mike Michael and Ernest Michael. Pallbearers include: David Taylor, Shaun Taylor, Warren Maxie, Jimmy Michael, Larry Griggs and Arturo Candelaria