Mr. Mergen was born May 19, 1929, in Whittemore, Iowa. He worked for the city of Salina as building inspector for 20 years, retiring in 1991. He was married June 27, 1953, at the Smoky Hill Air Force Base in Salina. He served in the U.S. Air Force as a technical sergeant, retiring in 1970. He was a member of the Sacred Heart Cathedral Parish, Knights of Columbus, Moose Lodge and American Legion Post 62. He was a life member of VFW Post 1432 and the AARP.

Survivors include his wife, Mary, of Salina; two sons, Douglas of Salina and Richard of Topeka; a daughter, Carol Jones of Topeka; three brothers, Clement of Estherville, Iowa, Kenneth of Jolly, Iowa, and Patrick of Sunrise Beach, Mo.; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Salina. Burial will be in Mount Calvary Cemetery, Salina.

A vigil will be at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Ryan Mortuary, 137 N. Eighth, Salina 67401. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at the mortuary.

Memorials may be made to the cathedral or Sacred Heart Junior-Senior High School, Salina.