It is with great sadness that the family of Merle Gordon Vague, age 92 years and 3 months, announces he passed away June 20, 2025 after a brief but hard-fought battle with cancer.

Merle was born in Oak Creek, Wisconsin on March 31, 1933, the son of the late Martha Sukkert and Harold C. Vague of Racine Wisconsin. Merle will be dearly missed by his children, Rick (Carol) Vague of San Jose and Karen Rockwell of La Grange, grandchildren Leanna Dudley (John Bergman), Adam (Adela) Wright, Erin (Andy) Gomes, Brook (Micah) Shadwell, Daniel (Helga) Rockwell; great grandchildren Jessa, Ian, Jacob, Lily, Johnathan, Dasha, Baylee, Brighton; longtime friend and companion, Patty Miller; nieces Cheryl Vague and Jackie (Karl) Nelson; and many friends, close neighbors, past co-workers, and co-members of various organizations.

Merle was predeceased by his parents, Martha and Harold; Merle's wife and Mother of his children, Ruth; siblings, Harold Junior Vague & Kenneth Vague; nephew, Billy Vague; and many friends and colleagues.

Merle was born and raised in Oak Creek & Racine Wisconsin. Merle married Ruth and worked for the Wisconsin Natural Gas Company in Cudahy, Wisconsin. He also helped with the family-owned bar in Racine, Harold's Tap, until 1959 when he moved his young family cross country to California where he worked at PG&E until he retired in 1993.

Merle spent his life and his retirement years devoted to his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, attending birthdays, holidays, weddings, and family reunions. He loved sports, hobbies, and was a member of organizations such as The Scottish Rites, where he was a Mason for 50 years. Sports he loved included skiing at Tahoe, boating, motorcycle riding, walking and running (4 miles a day on various trails). A few of the places Merle traveled included parts of Europe and scenic Catalina Island. Merle rode a mule to the bottom of the Grand Canyon with family and rode through Death Valley (just so he could say he went) – long after retirement.

Merle was a very devoted classic car enthusiast. The one special classic car people would remember was his beloved 1965 Chevrolet El Camino. Merle drove the El Camino almost every day until just a few weeks ago. People would stop and wave whenever he drove by. Merle's family would like to thank Prohealth Hospice Services for all their kindness and support over the last few weeks.  Services will be at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 28th, 2025 at Los Gatos Memorial Park, 2255Los Gatos Almaden Road, San Jose, California 95124

A Celebration of Life for Merle will follow the services.

Merle's was a Life well-lived, and he will be remembered and missed by all who knew him.