Merlin Ray Gorsh, 60, formally of Victor, passed away on January 11, 2013, at his home in California after a courageous five year battle with Lymphoma Cancer. A memorial service will be held 3:00 p.m., Monday, January 28, 2013, at the Smith Funeral Home in Victor, with Rev. Jim Davis officiating. Inurnment will be at Genoa Bluff Cemetery. The family will receive relatives and friends starting at 2:00 p.m. Monday Merlin was born on March 25, 1952, to Vernon and Mary Heittmann Gorsh in Belle Plaine, Iowa. He was the youngest of four children. He grew up on the family farm near Victor, he attended H.L.V High School, then Las Lomas College where he received his Bachelors degree in electrical engineering. Merlin was married to Beverly McCallister Lehrkamp in 1969, from this union two children were born. Merlin moved to Northern California in 1991, and in 2004, he married Lisa Tiffany on St. Patrick's Day, the same day they met three years earlier. The couple made their home in Gold Beach, Oregon. He enjoyed many things in this world especially traveling. He and Lisa traveled to Europe, Canada, Mexico, and Caribbean and well as several states. He had an interest in history and science. Merlin is survived by his wife Lisa of Gold Beach Oregon; daughter Tracy (Burton) Chaska of Nevada; grandson Kyle Chaska of Nevada; son Jason Gorsh of Des Moines; sisters Cleo (Greg) Brecht of Norway, Helen (Butch) Baetsle of Harper ,Dorthy (Larry) Wade of Grinnell; and several aunts and cousins. Merlin is preceded in death by his parents.