Mearl J. Niese, 73, of rural Hamler, died Jan. 31 in Wood County Hospital following a brief illness. Mr. Niese was born in Miller City on July 31, 1916 to Edward and Mary (Hahn) Niese. In 1935, he married Wilmetta Miller, and she preceded him in death on March 28, 1986. Also preceding him in death were brothers, Oscar and Wilbur. Mr. Niese was a retired farmer and member of Peace Lutheran Church in rural Deshler. He was a former member of the Toledo Teamsters Union. Surviving are sons, John of Liberty Center, Richard of Deshler and Kenneth of Defiance; daughters, Bernadine Gee of Defiance, Ruth Conklin of Stryker, Betty Austermiller of Malinta, Connie Niese of Walbridge, Debra Chamberlain of Grand Rapids and Sherrie Holbrook of Napoleon; sisters Loretta Leip of Leipsic, Jeanetta Homan of Florida, Lucille Friedhoff of Holgate, Mary Evelyn Grimes of Millberry and Sarah Rosebrock of Hamler; 33 grandchildren and 38 great-grandchildren. Services were held Feb. 3 in Peace Lutheran Church with the Rev. Paul Lehenbauer officiating. Interment was in the church cemetery.