lN ll{emoriam

Phil A. Grothues, 97, owner of Guadalupe Lumber, San Antonio, Tx., died April 26 in San Antonio.

He and his father started the business in 1933, which now has three locations in San Antonio.

Emerald V. Troxel. 93. former owner and operator of V.E. Troxel & Sons Inc., Battle Creek, Mi., died May 2inKalamazoo, Mi.

The company started in 1943 as Troxel's Carpenter & Cabinet Shop. He retired in l98l after 44 years in the business.

Kerry G. Merrit,85, retired president and chairman of the board at Stripling-Blake Lumber Co., Austin, Tx., died April 23 in Austin.

During World War II, he served with the U.S. Army Infantry in Europe. When the war ended, he completed his studies at The University of Texas.

After graduating in 1948, he joined Stripling-Blake and rose to top management. He also served on the board of the National Lumber & Building Material Dealers Association, as the president of the Lumberman's Association of Texas, and was recognized as LAT Lumberman of the Year in l9'79.

Jane Bierman, 91, co-founder and owner of Lincoln Wood Products, Merrill, Wi., died April 28. She and her late husband. Carl. started the company in 1941 .In 1994, they founded Timeline Vinyl Products in Merrill. Until she suffered a stroke earlier this year, she came to work every day and was active in both busiNESSES.

Kenneth Dale Wendland.75. former owner of Associated Lumber Marts, Waseca, Mn., died May l6 in Waseca.

ln 1962, he and his father acquired Waseca Lumber Mart, Waseca. Ten years later, he bought out his father and changed the yard's named to Associated. He retired in 1997

Raymond C. Timmons,78, retired owner of Fishkill Landing Lumber, Poughkeepsie, N.Y., died May 3 in Poughkeepsie.

He graduated from the State University of New York-Delhi, and served with the Navy during the Korean War.

Mildred David Edwards Casey, 86, retired co-owner and president of Casey's Mill, Dudley, N.C., died April 2l in Goldsboro, N.C.

Mrs. Casey owned the mill with her husband, Leslie, who died in 1996. She served as bookkeeper for many years, and as president from 1976 until her retirement in 1990.

James Phillip Kerschner, 89, former co-manager of Sturgis Lumber & Supply, Sturgis, Mi., died April 28 in Sturgis.

After graduating from Kalamazoo College in 1943, he served with the U.S. Army during World War II.

He co-managed the yard with his brother, Bob, and was a vocational instructor for the building trades program at the local high school.