Merle Leroy Sheffer
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
He was born March 18, 1929, in Van, Pa., to Warren Garnet and Neva Izora Ziegler Sheffer. On Aug. 16, 1951, in Oil City, Pa., he married Patricia Louise Lane, who survives in Winona Lake.
He was a 1947 graduate of Cranberry High School, Cranberry, Pa., where he was a star basketball and baseball player. While in school he was active in the high school band, orchestra and drama club, as well as a member of the “Hayrake League” – a local baseball league. He was privileged to be selected to attend the first intercollegiate all-state band and chorus in 1950, directed by conductor Fred Waring.
He then graduated in 1951 from Clarion State Teachers College with a degree in elementary education. During the summer months, while in school, he worked at Eakin Novelty Works as a wood craftsman. From 1951 until his retirement in 1987, he was a teacher and principal in the Cranberry Elementary School system in Seneca, Pa.
During his time in the U.S. Army he served during the Korean Conflict from 1953-1955 as a sergeant. He also served in the 69th Infantry Division Band & Chorus, performing weekly on the Arlene Francis Soldiers Parade Show. After his honorable discharge from the military, he completed his master’s degree in education at Penn State University in 1957.
He retired to Arizona, where he enjoyed hiking in the desert. He lived there for 13 winters before moving to Grace Village Retirement Community of Winona Lake 10 years ago, where he enjoyed his time until his ill health and his passing. Following his retirement he pursued many of his interests: photography, inspirational presentations, woodworking, stained glass work, hunting, fishing, writing poetry and collecting and repairing brass musical instruments. He was a self-taught trumpet player and loved to inspire children to want to play. He would try to teach them that “music is a lifetime sport.” He loved playing in numerous local bands, singing in male quartets, arranging church choirs and directing many choral events. All of his interests were motivated by his faith and service to the Lord Jesus Christ.
He also will be lovingly remembered by three sons: Gordon (and spouse Barbara) Sheffer, Westville; David (and spouse Kathy) West, Temperance, Mich.; Thomas West, Oil City, Pa.; a daughter, Rebecca Carnes, Louisville, Ky.; nine grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; one niece and one nephew. He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Grace Village Chapel, 337 Grace Village Drive, Winona Lake, and officiated by the Rev. Milt Ryerson. Military rites will be conducted by the Indiana ARNG Honor Guard, the American Legion Post #49 and the VFW Post #1126, both of Warsaw. Burial will be at a later date at Brandon Cemetery in Cranberry, Pa.
No visitation is planned.
Arrangements were entrusted to Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw.
*****
Memorials to Grace Village Retirement Community, 337 Grace Village Drive, Winona Lake, IN 46590.
Condolences may be sent via www.redpathfruthfuneralhome.com[[In-content Ad]]
He was born March 18, 1929, in Van, Pa., to Warren Garnet and Neva Izora Ziegler Sheffer. On Aug. 16, 1951, in Oil City, Pa., he married Patricia Louise Lane, who survives in Winona Lake.
He was a 1947 graduate of Cranberry High School, Cranberry, Pa., where he was a star basketball and baseball player. While in school he was active in the high school band, orchestra and drama club, as well as a member of the “Hayrake League” – a local baseball league. He was privileged to be selected to attend the first intercollegiate all-state band and chorus in 1950, directed by conductor Fred Waring.
He then graduated in 1951 from Clarion State Teachers College with a degree in elementary education. During the summer months, while in school, he worked at Eakin Novelty Works as a wood craftsman. From 1951 until his retirement in 1987, he was a teacher and principal in the Cranberry Elementary School system in Seneca, Pa.
During his time in the U.S. Army he served during the Korean Conflict from 1953-1955 as a sergeant. He also served in the 69th Infantry Division Band & Chorus, performing weekly on the Arlene Francis Soldiers Parade Show. After his honorable discharge from the military, he completed his master’s degree in education at Penn State University in 1957.
He retired to Arizona, where he enjoyed hiking in the desert. He lived there for 13 winters before moving to Grace Village Retirement Community of Winona Lake 10 years ago, where he enjoyed his time until his ill health and his passing. Following his retirement he pursued many of his interests: photography, inspirational presentations, woodworking, stained glass work, hunting, fishing, writing poetry and collecting and repairing brass musical instruments. He was a self-taught trumpet player and loved to inspire children to want to play. He would try to teach them that “music is a lifetime sport.” He loved playing in numerous local bands, singing in male quartets, arranging church choirs and directing many choral events. All of his interests were motivated by his faith and service to the Lord Jesus Christ.
He also will be lovingly remembered by three sons: Gordon (and spouse Barbara) Sheffer, Westville; David (and spouse Kathy) West, Temperance, Mich.; Thomas West, Oil City, Pa.; a daughter, Rebecca Carnes, Louisville, Ky.; nine grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; one niece and one nephew. He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Grace Village Chapel, 337 Grace Village Drive, Winona Lake, and officiated by the Rev. Milt Ryerson. Military rites will be conducted by the Indiana ARNG Honor Guard, the American Legion Post #49 and the VFW Post #1126, both of Warsaw. Burial will be at a later date at Brandon Cemetery in Cranberry, Pa.
No visitation is planned.
Arrangements were entrusted to Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw.
*****
Memorials to Grace Village Retirement Community, 337 Grace Village Drive, Winona Lake, IN 46590.
Condolences may be sent via www.redpathfruthfuneralhome.com[[In-content Ad]]
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