Age 82, passed away on Wednesday, March 31, 2004 in Lansing.  He was born in Hallsboro, N.C. on October 10, 1921 the son of Carl and Mary Stanke.  Merle was a member of the Community of Christ Church in Charlotte, the Three Fires Flint Lock Gun Club, MUCC, Eaton Rapids Conservation Club, and was a retiree from the UAW Local 602.  He proudly served in the Army during WWII in the Pacific Theater and was a member of the VFW Post #4090 of Portland.  Merle was also a member of the Two Cylinder Club of Mulliken and was past Vice President on the Keefer-Olmstead Cemetery Board.  He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Elsie; sister Fanny and several half sisters and brothers.  Surviving are his children, Dennis (Alice) Stanke of Portland and Karl Stanke of Charlotte; grandchildren, Abrum (Jenny) Stanke and Chris Proctor, all of Portland; great grandchildren, Shelby and Daniel Stanke, both of Portland; several nieces and nephews and many good friends.  The Funeral Service will be conducted by Rev. Richard Garn, Pastor at 2:00 p.m. Monday, April 5, 2004 at the Schrauben-Lehman Funeral Home, 210 E. Bridge St., Portland.  Military Honors will be provided by VFW Post #4090 following at Keefer-Olmstead Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m., both Saturday and Sunday at the funeral home.  For those wishing, memorial contributions may be made to the National Kidney Foundation in memory of Mr. Stanke.