Pauline Mergl

Pauline (née Erwin) Mergl, age 88, of Portage, passed away Wednesday, April 1, 2026. She was born on May 16, 1937, to the late, Charles and Evelyn Erwin in Gary, Indiana. Pauline was a proud graduate of Hobart High School, Class of 1955. Following graduation, she worked as a secretary at Hobart High School until 1958 and later retired after 25 years as a secretary in the Clerk-Treasurer’s Office at Portage City Hall, where she enjoyed her work and the friendships she built, especially with the firemen. Upon retirement the City of Portage designated June 16th as “Pauline Mergl Day”. On July 29, 1955, she married the love of her life, the late Roger Mergl. Together they shared 60 wonderful years of marriage, building a life centered on love, family, and cherished memories. Pauline was a very loving woman whose family was truly the center of her world. She will be remembered as a sweet soul who was gentle, funny, kind, and effortlessly classy. She had a deep appreciation for life’s simple pleasures and found great joy in time spent with those she loved. She and her husband shared many interests, including attending jazz shows, antiquing, and proudly showing their beloved 1960 Pontiac Bonneville at car shows. Pauline also had a special love for angels and took great joy in collecting them. She will be dearly missed by all who knew and love her. The Mergl family would like to thank Myrna and the other care givers at Gabriel Home for the exceptional and loving care they gave to Pauline.

She is survived by her loving children: Joni (Robin) Fornoff, William (Annie Kelley) Mergl, Daniel (Brenda Waffler) Mergl, Janet (Frank Baratta) Hagan, and Thomas (Sheli Stratton) Mergl; grandchildren: Vincent (Jessica) Nygra, Tara (Joseph) Watkins, Claire (Evan Wolfla) Hagan, Egan Mergl, Judah Mergl, Alex (Aly) Mergl, Bailey (Sophia) San-Miguel, Brandy (Billy) Mergl, Lydia Mergl, Eli Mergl, Mike (Susan) Nygra, Tony (Mary) Nygra, and Jason Nygra; and great-grandchildren: Sophia Nygra, Zayne Jordon, Wyatt Mergl, Grey Nygra, Willow Mergl, Maeve Mergl, and Walker Mergl; her special friend, Bob Manwaring and numerous other loving family members and friends.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Roger Mergl, her mother, Evelyn Erwin and father, Charles Erwin.

In lieu of flowers donations to Gabriel Home for the Elderly 372 Franciscan Drive. Valparaiso, Indiana 46385 in memory of Pauline would be appreciated.

A funeral service for Pauline will be held Thursday April 9, 2026, at 11:00 AM with Deacon Dennis Guernsey officiating at Rees Funeral Home Olson Chapel 5341 Central Ave. Portage, Indiana 46368. Burial will follow at McCool Cemetery in Portage. Visitation for Pauline will be held Wednesday April 8, 2026, from 4:00-8:00 PM at Rees Funeral Home, Olson Chapel. For more information call (219) 762-3013 or online condolences can be shared at www.reesfuneralhomes.com