Merle E. Mohler Sr.; Retired Forklift Operator

Merle E. Mohler Sr. died Friday of congestive heart failure at his Port Hueneme home. He was 76.

Mohler worked as a forklift operator for almost 50 years, the last 28 for Allied Signal, an aerospace equipment systems company in Torrance. He retired in 1987.

He also served one year in the National Guard in Los Angeles and one year in the California Conservation Corps.

Mohler was born April 7, 1922, in Los Angeles.

In 1946, he moved to Hollywood, and later lived in Gardena, Torrance, Redondo Beach and Racine, Wis., before moving to Port Hueneme in June.

Mohler belonged to the All Saints Episcopal Church in Oxnard.

He enjoyed playing bingo, watching soap operas and traveling. He and his wife of 52 years, Veronica E. Mohler, often visited Las Vegas and Laughlin, Nev., to gamble.

“He’d go with 20 dollars and come back with money,” she said. “I’d go with money and come back with nothing.”

In addition to his wife, Mohler is survived by three daughters, Veronica Kimona of Austin, Texas; Regina Martin of Alhambra and Margaret M. Ryan of Oxnard; two sons, Robert E. Mohler of Gardena and Merle E. Mohler Jr. of Long Beach; 10 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren.

A service will be held Sunday at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Torrance.

Arrangements are being handled by Guardian Memorial Funeral Directors, Oxnard.