Merrill dedicates honorary street signs in memory of local historical figures

In 2025, the City of Merrill Historic Preservation Committee continued its efforts to recognize individuals whose lives and service left a lasting impact on the Merrill community. These honors are bestowed through the dedication of honorary street signs at selected intersections in memory of individuals whose contributions helped shape Merrill’s history.
[Note: The honorary street signs are secondary signs and are not for navigational purposes. They are solely for the purpose of memorializing local historical figures.]
The 2025 recipients represent a wide range of service — from advocacy for local seniors and community leadership to military sacrifice and public service.

Dolores Kelly
Dolores Kelly was known as a tireless advocate for Merrill’s elderly population. In 1970, Kelly became a member of the City’s Committee on Aging, launching what would become a determined effort to address housing needs, nutritional deficiencies, legal services, and, most importantly, transportation for older residents.

By 1973, Kelly had developed the Dial-A-Bus program, a service that still exists today as the Merrill Go Round, which coincidentally just celebrated its 50th year of service. She was also instrumental in the development of the Meals on Wheels program, allowing homebound residents to remain in their homes rather than enter nursing facilities.
Kelly was recognized as Merrill’s Woman of the Year in 1975.
Her family selected the intersection of Second Street and Cleveland Street for the honorary sign, as it was from that location that the first Dial-A-Bus ride launched in 1973. Her honorary street sign was unveiled and dedicated on Nov. 24, 2025.

Sgt. Carl Schenzel
Carl Schenzel was just 26 years old when he was killed in action over the Philippines during World War II. A Merrill native, Schenzel lived on East Street prior to entering military service.

Schenzel was part of a six-man bomber crew whose aircraft went down on Jan. 6, 1945. Neither the plane nor any of the crew members were ever recovered. He remains the only service member from the city of Merrill classified as missing in action in the Pacific Theater.
The family chose the intersection of East Street and Merrill Street for his honorary sign, noting it was likely the last view Schenzel had of his boyhood home before leaving to serve his country. The honorary street sign memorializing Schenzel was dedicated on June 23, 2025.

William C. Johnston
William C. Johnston Way was dedicated on July 31, 2025, at the intersection of East Ninth Street and North Sales Street in recognition of Johnston’s long-standing impact on the community.
A three-sport athlete, Johnston graduated from Merrill High School in 1963 and later earned a business degree from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. After returning to Central Wisconsin, he went on to serve as president of Merrill-based Park City Credit Union, a position he held for nearly 25 years.

Under his leadership, the credit union grew into a cornerstone of the community. Johnston was known for ensuring that not only Park City Credit Union, but also he himself, consistently gave back to the community. This support came through donations, some through the credit union, but often from his own funds, many of which were made with little to no fanfare, just as Bill would have wanted.
Johnston was also deeply involved in civic service, having served for many years on the City’s Police and Fire Commission.

Cpl. Charles L. “Loafer” Graap Jr.
An honorary street sign was dedicated at the intersection of West Main Street and Foster Street on July 26, 2025, in memory of Charles “Loafer” Graap Jr.
Family members who nominated Graap described him as a symbol of a service member who fought bravely and returned home carrying the lifelong effects of war. Graap served in the Korean War from 1952 to 1954 and was a survivor of the Battle of Pork Chop Hill — a conflict that resulted in more than 1,000 deaths and injuries. Graap was the only soldier from Merrill injured in that battle.

After his military service, Graap worked with local Boy Scout troops, served as a firefighter for the City of Merrill, and was known as a local historian.

Upcoming dedication
A fifth honorary sign will be dedicated to former Merrill Police Captain and U.S. Army Master Sgt. Leslie “Ches” Kienitz in the spring of 2026. This sign dedication is a part of the five local historical figures selected to be honored with honorary street signs for calendar year 2025. The dedication ceremony was delayed due to sign production issues and weather-related challenges.

Nomination information
Nominations for future honorary street sign dedications are accepted through the Merrill City Clerk’s Office. Nominees must be deceased for a minimum of five years to be considered, though this requirement may be waived if the individual died while in service to the City of Merrill or the United States.

A $25 application fee is required at the time of nomination to help offset the cost of the sign and prevent serial nominations. All nomination forms must be submitted by Mar. 31. Applications are reviewed by the Historic Preservation Committee at its April meeting, with honorees announced in May along with tentative unveiling timelines.
Nomination forms are available on the City of Merrill website at https://tinyurl.com/HistoricSignNomination.