Henry J. "Hank" Merbler

ARLINGTON -- Henry J. "Hank" Merbler, 95, died Sunday, Oct. 4, 2015, in Arlington. Funeral: Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m. Friday at St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church, 1200 S. Davis Drive, Arlington. Interment: Moore Memorial Gardens, Arlington, alongside his wife, Bea. Visitation: 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the church, with a rosary at 7 p.m. Memorials: Should friends desire, in lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the St. Maria Goretti Church Building Fund. Known to his friends as Hank, he was born Aug. 2, 1920, in Passaic, N.J. Hank was the son of immigrants, John and Kathrine Merbler, and was a cradle Roman Catholic. Hank was educated in New Jersey schools through grade school and high school. He graduated from Casey Jones School of Aeronatics with a degree as associate aero-engineer. Hank joined Vought-Sikorsky in March 1941 in Stratford, Conn., as a member of the engineering team designing the model F4U-1 Corsair. He worked on 26 different Vought airplane models, missiles, rockets with U.S. and foreign military personnel. Hank was employed for 41 years with Chance Vought companies. In 1996, he organized Vought retirees to develop a world-class website and restore Vought aircraft (manufactured 1917-1968) for state displays in museums. Hank and his family moved to Dallas in November 1948. He was active in all sports and loved golf and fishing. He was president of his 1938 Garfield High School class and continued his "presidential" cares, being a president of the U.S. Navy League, Dallas Council, Arlington Senior Men's Golf Association, Vought Management Club, St. Maria Goretti Leisure Club, Arlington Metro Service Club and Vought Aircraft Heritage Foundation. He was president three terms of the Horizon Bay Retirement Living Resident Council in Arlington. Hank was active in Pantego politics for 28 years, as a member of committees, council and mayor (1987-1991). He was a devoted husband, proud father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He will be missed. Hank was preceded in death by his precious wife of 65 years, Beatrice Loomis Merbler. Survivors: Sons, Jack Merbler, Ken Merbler and wife, Linda, and Richard Merbler and wife, Amy; sister, Elsie Siems; sister-in-law, Arlene Loomis; grandchildren, John, Brian, Steve, Kate and Robyn; great-grandchildren, Evan, Cole, Eva and Jenson; and a number of nieces and nephews. Wade Family Funeral Home Arlington, 817-274-9233