Merlin Zvorak

Merlin W. Zvorak, age 59, of Willmar, died unexpectedly Sunday morning, May 6, at the Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Thursday, May 10, at the Calvary Lutheran Church in Willmar. Interment will be in the Russell City Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Arrangements are with Peterson Brothers Funeral Home in Willmar.
Merlin Wesley Zvorak was born July 26, 1947, in Tyler, the son of Wesley and Myrtle (Fifield) Zvorak. He grew up in the Russell community. In 1972, Merlin moved to Willmar with his father and in 1979 moved into Kindlehope. In 1991, he moved to the Diversified Lifestyles Home in Willmar where he has resided since. He worked at West Central Industries and currently worked at the Kandiyohi County Recycling Center. In 2001, Merlin was baptized and became a member of Calvary Lutheran Church. He enjoyed bowling and was active in a bowling league. He was also active in Special Olympics and the Friendship Bible Study at the Christian Reformed Church. Merlin enjoyed fishing, horseshoes, mini golf, baseball, photography, karoke and riding the exercise bike. He was a prankster, loved to have fun and always believed that "five bucks buys everything."
He is survived by his sister, Noreen (and Marvin) Nere of Willmar; several aunts, uncles and cousins; his special friends, Corey Jensen, Thomas Fitz, Michael Gerhardson and Philip Bonnema; his dog, Kirby Puckett and other friends and relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents.