Merle L. Schaefer

GARNER - Merle L. Schaefer, 90, of Garner, formerly of Sun Valley/Burbank, CA, died Wednesday (August 27, 2008) at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

Graveside services will be held 4:00 P.M., Wednesday, October 1, 2008 at Ell Township Cemetery in Klemme. His body was cremated. There will be no visitation. Cataldo Funeral Home in Garner is in charge of arrangements.

Merle L. Schaefer, the son of Roy Irwin and Cora May (Gates) Schaefer, was born July 28, 1918 on a farm near Klemme . He attended rural school at Liberty Township No. 9. Merle served his country in the US Navy during WW II. After his honorable discharge, he moved to the state of Washington and then later made his home in California working as an auto mechanic. In September of 2004, he moved to Prairie View Apartments in Garner and in October of 2006 entered Concord Care Center. Merle will always be remembered for his favorite saying: "We spend our health in search of wealth and live our lives so brave. Then spend our wealth in search of health and all we find is the grave."

He is survived by a brother, Gene Schaefer of Mason City; sisters, Rose Trca of Story City, Iris Rayhons of Clear Lake and Daisy (Jesse) Schwichtenberg of Garner; sisters-in-law, Mildred Schaefer of Garner and Esther Schaefer of Valencia, CA; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Merle was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Violet Weaver; and brothers, Calvin "Joe" and Donald Schaefer.