Merle Edwin Stelzer, age 91, of Celina, passed away Wednesday, May 13, 2020, at The Laurels of Shane Hill, Rockford.
He was born January 26, 1929, in Lima, to the late Wilbur H. & Carrie L. (Gossman) Stelzer.
On June 26, 1949, he married Erma C. Denney, who preceded him in death.
Surviving are their seven children: Timothy Stelzer of Maumee, Randy M. (Nancy) Stelzer of Wapakoneta, Terry M. (Patricia) Stelzer of Marysville, Stephen E. Stelzer of Lima, Anne R. (Michael) Opperman of Anna, Patrick B. (Jennifer) Stelzer of Missouri City, Texas, and Lucinda C.D. (Robert) Jolliff of Celina, a brother & sister: Howard Stelzer and Lorna (Thomas) Emerson, and sister-in-law, Patricia Stelzer.
Merle also had twelve grandchildren: Tonja, Bethany, Brian, Michael, Scott, Andrew, Kevin, Seth, Benjamin (deceased), Shelby, Courtney, and Robert III, and eleven great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by siblings: Marcine (Robert) Dicus, Vernon Stelzer, and Joan (Wilbert) Wolf, and sister-in-law, Beverly Stelzer.
He was a 1947 graduate of Central High School in Lima, and served in the States with the U.S. Army, and was honorably discharged in 1951.
Merle retired from Milcor (Lima Register) in 2005, after 41 years of service. He was an active member of the Mendon Lions Club for 20 years, and an active member of Mendon United Methodist Church. He was a charter member of Mendon American Legion Post #2019 and a member of Celina American Legion Post #210.
Merle loved his family, and his favorite pastime was visiting the friendly town of Mendon as often as he could.
Private Funeral Services for the family will be held at 1:30 P.M., Tuesday, May 19, at W.H. Dick & Sons-Hellwarth Funeral Home in Mendon, with Pastor Rob Glenn, officiating. Burial will follow at Elm Grove Cemetery, St. Marys, with military rites to be conducted by Celina American Legion Post #210 and VFW Post #5713.
Public Calling Hours will be held before Services on Tuesday, May 19, from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. Visitors will be limited to 10 at a time, and are asked to follow the guidelines set by the Ohio Department of Health. The Funeral Service will be limited to family only.
Memorial Contributions may be made to Mendon United Methodist Church, 105 E. Market St., Mendon, OH 45862
If you are unable to attend, and would like to extend your sympathies to the family, please send a card or message at www.dickandsonshellwarthfh.com
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