"Bugsy was my cousin not even knowing it, even tho the problem he had, he left family, friends and life, we all miss him and could use him at times like now. bugsy we love you to death, you will never be forgoten, As everyday goes by, woundering in minds, that god knew it was time for him to go, being here was making it worse even though we all miss him, it was making him feel more sick, no matter what happends, there is not ONE day that goes by and and we arent thinking of him, everyday no matter, when when how or date and time, saying a prayer is what we need. he is alive and will be, in our hearts, love you bugys..."
In loving memory of
Roger J. Merchlewitz
September 21, 1961 - May 5, 2009
Roger "Bugsy" J. Merchlewitz, 47, of Winona, passed away May 5th, at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, MN, following a short illness. Bugsy was born September 21, 1961, to Richard and Nancy (Cole) Merchlewitz in Winona, MN. He married Patti Ellinghuysen, October 5, 1991, at St. Martins Church in Winona. They were later divorced. Bugsy is survived by his parents of Winona; his daughter, Makenzie Rose Merchlewitz and his son, Dakota Roger Merchlewitz both of St. Charles, MN; six brothers: Rick (Lori) Merchlewitz and their daughter, Shania, of Wabasha, MN; Randy (Theresa) Merchlewitz of German Ridge, Lewiston, MN, and their daughter, Crystal Merchlewitz and children Destiny and Dylan Merchlewitz of Rollingstone, MN; Ronald (Arlene) Merchlewitz of Winona, MN, and their sons, Ronnie (Jessy Sing) Merchlewitz and son Mason, Winona, MN, and Nicholas Merchlewitz, Mounthood, OR; Robert Merchlewitz of Stockton, MN, and his daughter, Shauntay and her daughter Andreana of Winona, MN, and his son Shane and his daughter, Kyllee Howlett of St. Charles, MN; Russell (Tamara) Merchlewitz and their daughter, Erin and son Calan of Mankato, MN; Rodney (Tammy) Merchlewitz and their daughters, Laceylyn and Kloey of Ridgeway, MN; and many aunts, uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Joseph and Rose Merchlewitz, and Delmer and Mary Cole, and his uncle, Joe Merchlewitz.
Bugsy lived in Stockton, Utica, Minnesota City, and on Homer Ridge, MN. He was employed at Winona Excavating until the time of his death. He loved the outdoors, camping, hunting, fishing and spending time with his family.
A celebration of Bugsy's life will be held on Saturday, May 9th, at 11:00 am at Hoff Funeral and Cremation Service Hansen Goodview Chapel with funeral celebrant Douglas Hansen officiating. Burial will be in the Lewiston Public Cemetery in Lewiston, MN. Friends may call at the funeral home on Friday from 5-8:00pm and also one hour prior to the service at the funeral home on Saturday.
Please share a memory of Bugsy with the family, sign his online guestbook or view his video tribute when it becomes available online at: www.hofffuneral.com
Tribute video can be found at: http://videos.lifetributes.com/68290
Tributes
"Bugsy will always be with us just because we will never forget him. I will see you all soon, but until then may peace find you and comfort you. I love you all. Marv"
"Our sympathy to the Merchlewitz family."
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to Bugsy's family. He will be deeply missed."
""
"Our prayers go out to Bugsy's entire family, especially Kenzie and Dakota."
"dad i am so sorry and we r all thinking of you, you will never be forgoten, you r in our thoughts and prayers"
"Our sympathys to all of Bugsy family. Bugsy was fun guy to work with. He always kept work interesting when I worked around him. He will be missed."
"Nancy and Rich, so sorry to hear about Bugsy. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the whole family. Bugsy will be missed by all the people he came in contact with. God Bless"
"We are so sorry to hear of your loss. Bugsy was a great guy who was always willing to lend a hand. He was a great friend and was good at making friends. Our hearts go out to Kenzie and Dakota and the rest of his family and friends. We will miss him!!!!"
"Roger always made it to every family function and always has a joke or a laugh to share. Just seems like he was at Camies wedding chatting it up. Have one for us up there."
"We will miss you, Bugsy, finding comfort in all the memories of camping and 4 wheeling. We sure had some good times. Our sympathies to the families. You are in our thoughts and prayers."
"We had some great times together. We will always remember Bugsy camping with us and the good times we shared around the camp fire at night. And who could forget the HUGE snapping turtle he put in the back of the pickup truck for our entertainment pleasure. Mr. no fear! Bugsy, we will truely miss you. Our sympathy to family and friends."
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the whole Merchlewitz family. We were very sorry to hear of your loss. We pray you find comfort during this difficult time with all the wonderful memories you have."
"We will miss all our fun we had together playing cards, and our trips we went on to Vegas and AZ, and many other shorter trips we took, we always had fun.. We love you Roger and we miss you, you will be in our hearts and memories forever~ "
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the whole Merchlewitz family. We were very sorry to hear of your loss. We pray you find comfort during this difficult time. He was a great great Friend. We have so many memories with him. Softball, Pool, Camping, Four wheeling, Skiing. He has touch so many lives over the years. He will be truly missed."
"Bugsy was a great guy who came from a wonderful family. He always had something funny to say. Every time I see a Winona Excavating truck go by my place I will think of Bugsy. He would always honk the horn when he saw me outside. My deepest sympathy goes out to Dakota & Kenzie and his entire family. Bugsy will be truely missed. God be with you."
"Bugsy was a good guy he would always call the ladies snookems he will be sadly missed our daughter used to babysit for his kids and when he couldnt drive she would drive him. our thoughts and prayers goes out to the entire MERCHLEWITZ family. He will really be missed by a lot of people."
"Rodney and Tammy, I am so sorry to hear about your brother. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Our sympathy goes to his family and friends. Take care."
"Our prayers and thoughts go out to the family. I had many good times with bugs."
"Our prayers and thoughts go out to the family."
"We remember Bugsy for the jokes he always played. One time when we went out to eat with Nancy and Rich, we had a big surprise when we got home. Out in the front of our house was a for sale sign and on the basketball hoop he had hung up chimes that he had made (large ones). Of course he knew how much I disliked chimes. But the best joke was I though that my son-in-law had done this . Of course he knew who had done it and kept it to himself. It was a year later before Bugsy told me he had done the crime. So he had a year of laughing over this one. I'm sure he is still laughing about this. He was a good guy and will be missed by friends and family. Our sympathy to Nancy, Rich and all of the boys and their families."
"Our sympathy goes out to a wonderful family that we have lost touch with these past years. Just thinking back at all the fun times brings back great memories of the family. God bless all of you."
"The Jorgensen Family gives their deepst sympathy's we all remember growing up with the Merchlewwitz family in Utica, what great times we had. Our prayers and thought are with all of you May God Bless you Bugsy. "
"Our prayers go out to all of you. You lost a good man, I was lucky enough to have knowen him"
"It's been a long time since I seen Bugsy. I knew him since I was a kid growing up in Stockton. He was always Funny, Kind Hearted he will be missed deeply ! My thoughts & Prayers go out to the merchlewitz family. May God Bless you all"
"Bugs was a good man with a big heart. I have fond memories of cook outs in Hidden Valley, going bahaing, hanging out at the Cove, fireworks on the 4th of July, water fights, and lots and lots of laughs. Bugsy will always be remembered and greatly missed."
"Bugs was a good man with a big heart. I have fond memories of cook outs in Hidden Valley, going bahaing, hanging out at the Cove, fireworks on the 4th of July, water fights, and lots and lots of laughs. Bugsy will always be remembered and greatly missed."
"My sympathy goes out to Bugsy's Family. It has been a long time since I have been in touch. However, I have shared stories of Bugsy with my girls from time to time. As the many wonderful memories have been playing in my mind; I find myself smiling and yet a sadness and loss of someone very special. Your family and friends sure have an awesome life to celebrate. Thanks Bugsy you will be missed."
"Bugs was a great friend and cousin, he was always there if needed. We'll miss him a lot. He was a great father to Kenzie and Dakota. He enjoyed bringing them down to our camper and fishing and just plain hanging out."
"Bugsy, You will certainly be missed. Every time Air Supply comes on, you will certainly be in our thoughts...many laughs and good times were had. Our sympathy goes out to all his family and friends during this difficult time. RIP Buddy. "
"My thoughts and prayers are with Bugsy family during this time. He had a great sense of humor and will be missed by many."
"BUGSY WAS A GREAT FRIEND WE HAD MANY GREAT TIMES TOGETHER I WILL MISS HIM MY SYMPATHY GOES OUT TO HIS FAMILY DURING THESE DIFFICULT TIMES."
"Bugsy was one of the first persons me and my wife Sherry met when we moved to Winona in 1989. He was a great guy to know and always made me laugh. We had a lot of fun camping and canoeing in those early years. We also did some things that were so much fun that I can't talk about as I don't believe the statue of limitaion has run out yet. Bugsy will be missed!"
"When I was new to the family, Bugsy had a business (Leisure Builders) building patios, decks, steps, and landscaping. He built stairs from my back yard down to the water. I will think of him everytime I look down the bank. What always impressed me most about Bugs is how he could eat cheese. He loved it. That's how I will think of him... sitting on a heavenly deck, eating God's cheese."
"It has been a long time since I have seen Bugsy, and I am sorry to hear he has left so soon. I have known him sinceI was a kid living across the street from his uncle in Stockton. We had a lot of fun back in the day from going bahaing accross farmers fields, 4th of July roman candle fights, to ball games. My heart goes out to the family."
"My memories are of the early years of cousins playing cousins in Football, Softball, and Volleyball. I will never forget my last conversation @ Nanc & Rich's 50th when I called him Roger as I had not talked to him in years and did not want to offend him with that "childhood" nickname. He promptly reminded me he STILL went by Bugsy. He did love that nickname. My sincere sympathy to Nancy and Richard and his brothers. My memories of the Merchelwitz family is now void of one very importlat member!! He will be missed."
"Our deepest thoughts, prayers and sympathy to Nancy, Rich and the entire Merchlewitz family. Keep the memorable good times & moments tucked deep in your hearts and he will be with you forever as he will live on forever in his two wonderful children. We remember the 'little Merchlewitz boys' from years gone by in Utica as we lived on opposite ends of the same block! Take care and God Bless you with Strength & Comfort through this difficult time."
""
""
"We last saw you at our wedding reception back at the end of January~ It was always a good time if you were around. You will be missed"