Four honorary street signs erected and dedicated in 2024

The City of Merrill Historic Preservation Committee considered nominations for individuals who made significant contributions to the Merrill community during their lifetimes and selected five individuals to be recognized in the community with an honorary street sign. Four such honorary street signs were erected, dedicated, and unveiled thus far in 2024, and the fifth has been postponed to 2025 so that surviving members of the honoree’s immediate family who live out of state can make arrangements to attend.

Roger “Budda” English

On Monday, Aug. 26, 2024, an honorary street sign was dedicated to Roger “Budda” [bud-ah] English at the intersection of W. Main and Wright St. in Merrill.
Budda English worked at the Lincoln County Bank - which was formerly located nearby at the corner of W. Main St. and S. Prospect St. - for more than 42 years. His family chose this intersection, as he would have passed by it nearly every day walking to and from work and home for lunch, they said. His path on the west side was cemented in the work he accomplished for the citizens of Merrill and his country.
After graduating from Merrill Senior High School, Budda - always a proud Pointer - attended UW-Stevens Point for two years before he was called into service for the country. Budda served in the United States Army during the Korean War, stationed in Germany. Active in his church, Trinity Lutheran, and the church’s school, Budda was also Alderman of the 5th District for more than 25 years.

An outstanding athlete, Budda was also a member of the Silver M Club, having received both his Silver M and Golden M. Budda was also the very first recipient of the Silver M’s Most Valuable Player Award. He served as a past president of the club, and was named Honorary Co-Captain of the team, along with his brother John, during Homecoming of 2006.

Lavern “Chuck” Summers

On Monday, Sept. 16, an honorary street sign was dedicated for Lavern “Chuck” Summers at the intersection of E. 5th St. and Logan St. in Merrill.
The score/broadcast booth at nearby Athletic Park is named in honor of Summers, and the family felt it most fitting to select the nearby corner in front of the historic ball park as the location for a street sign in his honor.
Chuck Summers came to Merrill in 1948 to be an announcer on the new radio station that was about to hit the airwaves, WLIN, and soon became the legendary “Voice of the Merrill Rangers”. The station was owned by former congressman Alvin O’Konski who also started what is now known as WJFW TV in Rhinelander. O’Konski hired Summers, as he was able to provide play-by-play for local baseball games. Summers initially recorded the games and then rushed back to the studio to re-broadcast them. Summers called the infamous Merrill Rangers vs Eau Claire Bears game in 1952 when a young standout from Mobile, Ala., took the field at Athletic Park - Hank Aaron. Aaron went 0-3 that day, and Merrill beat Eau Claire by a score of 3-1 during a game called early due to fog. (Summers’ family still has the original score card from that game.)

Summers, who passed away in 2007, also worked for WSAU radio and WJMT in Merrill. Besides the Rangers, he was also very involved with calling high school athletic contests during his broadcasting career.

Robert “Bob” Gruling

On Wednesday, Sept. 25, an honorary sign was dedicated to honor Merrill educator, Robert “Bob” Gruling. The sign, located at the corner of E. 6th St and Hope St. in Merrill, is also located right in front of Washington School where Bob was the principal for many years until he retired in 1990.
Born in 1931 in Hamburg, Bob was one of 20 children. He went to high school in Athens and then attended UW-Stevens Point where he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in elementary education. He furthered his studies at UW-Madison where he received a Masters in guidance and administration.
Bob worked his entire career in education with the Merrill School District. He was first assigned as a teacher at the former Franklin School, then went on to be principal at Pine River, Lincoln, and then Washington School.

Bob was very active in the community, having served in leadership roles for the Merrill Historical Society, Century Farm Project of Lincoln and Marathon Counties, Marathon County Genealogy Society, the Brickyard School House, Lincoln County 4-H, and the River Bend Trail.
In addition to City representatives and family members, school children, teachers, and administrators also came out for the dedication of Bob’s honorary street sign.

Robert Klug

On Saturday, Sept. 28, an honorary street sign was dedicated to pay tribute to Robert Klug, who served as City Clerk for 32 years – the longest tenure in City history. The sign, located at the intersection of E, 1st St. and Cleveland St. stands near the old Merrill City Hall building which has since been turned into unique apartments.
Robert was first elected to the Merrill City Council in 1946 before becoming City Clerk in 1950. He served until 1982 when a sudden heart attack led to his death while attending a Wisconsin Clerks and Finance Convention in Oshkosh.

Besides his work for the City, Klug was a member of several state organizations for clerks, finance, and municipalities. He was also treasurer and chairman for the March of Dimes and the Lincoln County Chapter of the National Foundation and was very active in his church, St. John’s Lutheran.
His family chose that particular day for the sign dedication because it was Homecoming weekend in Merrill. Klug was the founder and former president of the Wisconsin State Football League and coached the Merrill Foxes from 1940 to 1953. He also coached numerous baseball teams, from slow pitch to Little League.
Generations of Robert Klug’s family have previously and continue to serve the City of Merrill in various capacities, from committee members to our current fire chief.

A fifth sign to come

A fifth person who made a significant impact on Merrill was selected to be honored in 2024; however, the installation and dedication of that sign has been postponed until 2025 to allow family members to travel to Merrill. That honorary street sign will honor Ralph “Fata” Voigt, the longest serving Mayor in the history of Merrill. Some of Ralph’s surviving family members will be traveling to attend from out of state.

Nominees for 2025 honorary street signs

In March 2025, Merrill’s Historic Preservation Committee will begin accepting nominations for those who wish to nominate a person who made a significant impact in the Merrill community for the distinction of having an honorary street sign named for that person and erected in his/her honor.