Obituary
With sadness in our hearts the family of Merlin Leroy Stauffer announces his passing on November 1, 2022, at the age of 91 years.
Merlin is survived by his loving wife Betty; their 6 children, Dianne (Kelly), Margaret (Dennis), Brenda (George), Doug (Paul), Maureen (Oscar) and Darren (Pamela). Also left to cherish his memory are fourteen grandchildren, Taylor (Jocelyn), Reid (Leslie), Angela, Christine, Deborah (Ryan), Joshua, Daniel (Alma), Brianne, Miles, Aaron, Garrett, Julie (Grant), Peter (Jennifer) and Samuel. Eighteen great grandchildren, Charlotte, William, Simon, Elle, Eliana, Nathaniel, Lillie, Emma, Elijah, Morgan, Emily, Michael, Samantha, Elyse, Solana, Leilani, Ariya, and Ellijah; and one great-great granddaughter Kailani. Merlin is also survived by his brother Harley (Gloria).
Merlin was predeceased by his parents William and Katie; his sisters Grace, Pearl, Florence and Louida; his granddaughter Lindsay and his great granddaughter Olivia.
Merlin grew up on a farm in the Tofield area and attended Grand Forks school until 9th grade when family responsibilities kept him home to help with the farm. He married his bride Betty in August 1953 and continued to farm until 1965. They sold the farm and moved into town where Merlin began a career in sales, selling heavy trucks and farm equipment. In 1969, Merlin and Betty and their young family moved to Edmonton. Merlin spent many years selling John Deere equipment for Martin Farm Equipment. He took a brief pause from sales and worked as an agriculture inspector which found him on the road many days of the week. Merlin learned quickly that being away from his family was not for him. In 1984, Merlin, Betty and the two remaining children living at home moved to Calgary where he took an opportunity to work for Mennonite Foundation as a Stewardship Consultant. In 1990 an offer to pastor at Tofield Mennonite Church saw Merlin and Betty return to where they began in Tofield, with Merlin retiring in 1996. Upon retirement Merlin kept busy with volunteering, woodworking, travelling and helping his children bring to completion many a project.
Merlin was a man of many talents and wore many hats over his lifetime: Husband, Dad, Grandpa, farmer, salesman, carpenter, mechanic, community volunteer, pastor, friend, confidant, leader, teacher, storyteller and organizer extraordinaire. He was always ready and willing to help anyone who asked. Merlin loved his family and was always proud to introduce them to anyone within ear shot of him. Merlin and Betty celebrated 69 years of marriage in August 2022.
The family would like to thank Jan Valliere and all the staff at the Tofield Senior Citizens Lodge for making a warm and inviting home for Dad and Mom the past 4 years. A warm debt of gratitude to Dr. Abuzahar and all the nursing staff at the Tofield hospital for their kindness and compassion shown to Merlin and family during his final days.
A memorial service will be held in Merlin’s memory at 2:00 p.m., Friday, December 9th, 2022 at Salem Mennonite Church (1 mile south of TWP494 on RR184) with Pastor Mark Loewen officiating. Cremation has taken place and inurnment will be held at the Salem Mennonite Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Mennonite Central Committee (#210, 2946 – 32 St NE Calgary, AB T1Y 6J7 or online at donate.mcccanada.ca).
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March 27 1931
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Merlin Leroy Stauffer March 27 1931..
Death notice for the town of: TOFIELD, Province: Alberta