Irving 'Irv' B. Bork

Irving Benart Bork passed away at home under the care of hospice with a short battle of cancer on June 5, 2023. He was born June 12, 1939 son of Irving H. and Gwyneth (Roberts) Bork.  

Irv grew up on a farm in Gleason, WI and graduated from Merrill High School in 1957. He served in the Air Force from 1957 - 1962. When Irv returned to Merrill, he had various jobs. During this time, he met Carol Bagley on a blind date. They married October 24, 1964. They moved to Chicago where Irv attended evening courses at Illinois Institute of Technology earning a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering while working at Zenith.  

Irv and Carol had three children before returning to the Gleason area in 1979. Irv worked at Forward Electronics, Inc in Wausau. He retired in 2005. Irv joined the Boy Scouts as a troop leader when his son Alan joined Boy Scouts. Irv never gave it up after Alan earned his Eagle Scout and continued to lead many boys in the Gleason/Merrill area with about ten more making Eagle Scout. He was awarded the Silver Beaver Award in 2006 with the BSA in the Samoset Council.  

Irv was an active member of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Merrill. He was involved in the church choir, Sunday school teacher, church council, property team, chairman of the church fair stand and men’s fishfry. Irv also continued his faith with the Gideons. He sang for many years with the River Valley Harmonizers. On April 24, 2017, he participated in the Honor Flight with his son Alan as his guardian. Irv participated in the Gleason Community Club and the Gleason VFW. 

He enjoyed hunting, fishing, canoeing and trips to the boundary waters. Irv was a proud gardener that included a raspberry patch. Irv enjoyed being in the woods with his brittany spaniels. He also enjoyed puzzles, sudoku, watching and reading westerns and taking his grandchildren for tractor rides. Following and watching the local and Wisconsin sport teams was another joy of his life. Irv and Carol did a lot of traveling to the western United States and camping.

He is survived by his wife Carol (58 years), daughter Jennifer (Brett Dimmer) of Port Washington, son Alan (Sarah) of Brown Deer, daughter Jacqueline (Rich Roy) of Mesa, AZ. Grandchildren Matthew, Lily, Abigail, Daniel, Benjamin, Joshua, Andrew, and Jocelyn and four step-grandchildren. He is further survived by brother Reynold Bork and cousins and nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents and sister Judith Loesel.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate a donation to Our Saviour's Lutheran Church of Merrill or Samoset Council Boy Scouts of Wausau or individual’s choice. 

A visitation will be Saturday, June 10, 9am to 11am with a service and lunch to follow at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church.

Waid Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Merrill is assisting the family with arrangements.  Online condolences are encouraged and may be made at www.waidfuneral.com.