Donald Mergenthaler (1948 – 2015)
ELIZAVILLE—Donald R. Mergenthaler, 66, of Elizaville passed away Thursday, December 17, 2015, peacefully at home with the support of his family and the staff from Columbia County Hospice.
Born December 31, 1948, in Rhinebeck, he was the son of Mabel Mergenthaler of Hudson and the late Frederick Mergenthaler.
He was a graduate of Red Hook High School and served in the U.S. Army as an acting sergeant.
Mr. Mergenthaler worked for many years as a grounds keeper at the Hudson River Psychiatric Center in Poughkeepsie. He retired in 2004. After his retirement he worked part time for the Keil Equipment Company.
He loved being outdoors, and was an avid hunter and fisherman. Mr. Mergenthaler enjoyed the time with his family and would take frequent fishing trips to his beloved St. Lawrence River. He also enjoyed football and was an avid NASCAR fan.
On May 28, 1972 in Red Hook, he married his wife, Louise A. (Dykeman) Mergenthaler, she survives him at home. He is also survived by: his mother, Mabel Mergenthaler of Hudson; a daughter, Dawn Mergenthaler and her partner Jeremy Marano of Red Hook and a son, Eric Mergenthaler, all of Elizaville. Other family members include: a sister, Sarah Wentzel of Germantown; a brother, Robert Mergenthaler of Potsdam; a sister, Deborah Mergenthaler of Philmont; a sister, Dorothy Funk of Hudson; a brother, Steven Mergenthaler of Tivoli; a brother, Fred Mergenthaler of Saugerties; three grandchildren, Joshua Mergenthaler, Kaitlyn Marano and Elijah Marano, all of Red Hook; numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at the Burnett & White Funeral Home in Red Hook in the early summer of 2016 at a date and time to be announced.
Memorial donations may be made to the Columbia-Greene Humane Society, 111 Humane Society Road, Hudson 12534.
Arrangements are under the direction of Burnett & White Funeral Homes 7461 S. Broadway, Red Hook.
For directions or to sign the online guest book visit www.Burnett-White.com
