Merrill WWII Veteran Ralph Wehlitz Hits Century Mark
World War II veteran and model railroad enthusiast Ralph Wehlitz hit the century mark last week. The Merrill resident turned 100 yrs old on Thursday June 6th.
A one-hundredth birthday bash was held at the Polka-Dotted Pie in Merrill, and friends from the model railroading community came from as far away as Marinette to join the celebration.
According to the National WW2 Museum, Wehlitz is one of an estimated 119,000 World War II veterans nationwide who are still alive today, and one of just 2,700 living in Wisconsin. While serving our country overseas, Wehlitz lost his dominant left hand in combat as he was taking cover with comrades from incoming German mortar fire. Undeterred in his efforts to find success after his military experience, Wehlitz went on to earn his degree in education and worked as an English and social studies teacher in the Merrill School system for many years.