Schweitzer, Merlin (1921-2006)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2006 Nov 20 p. 8

Birth date: 1921 Oct 15

text of obituary:

MERLIN SCHWEITZER

Merlin Schweitzer, 84, of rural Friend, Neb., died Sept. 26, 2006, after a courageous battle with heart disease and cancer. He was born Oct. 15, 1921, to Lee and Elma (Stutzman) Schweitzer on a farm northwest of Milford.

He worked for several farmers and spent one season in Pennsylvania picking potatoes.

In September 1942 he was drafted and entered Civilian Public Service in lieu of military service. He spent nearly three years at Fort Collins, Colo., and then a year-and-a-half near Colorado Springs.

On Jan. 22, 1945, he married Lois Jene Miller in Goodland, Kan.

They lived in Colorado until his discharge, when they returned to Nebraska.

They lived on a farm near Dorchester, and then in March 1959 they moved to their homestead near Friend. They operated a dairy farm for 30 years and grew crops and raised cattle. They enjoyed traveling throughout the United States and spent their 30th anniversary in Hawaii.

In his retirement years he enjoyed raising a large garden. He was deeply committed to his children and grandchildren. He had a sense of humor that was interspersed with his hard work ethic. He was acquainted with suffering as a result of multiple medical problems since 1996.

He was baptized in his youth at Milford Mennonite Church and later became a member of Bellwood Mennonite Church of Milford.

Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Lois; two daughters, Carolyn Peters and her husband, Dennis, and Shirley Spohn and her husband, Keith, all of Friend; two brothers, Cleve Schweitzer and Wilton Schweitzer, both of Milford; six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Leonard Schweitzer; a sister, Alvera Stutzman; and an infant sister.

Funeral services were held at Bellwood Mennonite Church. Burial was in Andrew Cemetery of Friend.