Lester F. Merder, 97, of Jasper

Lester F. Merder, 97, of Jasper, passed away at 11:40 a.m. Tuesday, February 22, 2017, at Brookside Village in Jasper.

Lester was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on January 28, 1920, to Henry and Clara (Blessinger) Merder. He married Caroline Wilz on April 25, 1940, in St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Jasper. She preceded him in death on December 17, 2014.

Lester was a U.S. Navy veteran, serving during World War II. He retired from Jasper Novelty, where he had worked for 40 years. He was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Jasper, the Holy Name Society, the American Legion Post #147, the Jasper Knights of Columbus, where he was a 4th degree knight, and a lifetime member of the V.F.W. Post #673,

He was an avid sports fan, and especially loved I.U. basketball games and Jasper sports.

Surviving are one daughter, Ruth Flick (Tom) of Jasper; two sons, Rich Merder (Gloria) of Jasper and Bob Merder (Kathy) of McKinney, Texas; one daughter-in-law, Jane Merder of Jasper; nine grandchildren, 28 ggreat-grandchildren two great-great-grandchildren.

Preceding him in death is one son Ron Merder.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Lester F. Merder will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, February 24, 2017, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Jasper, with burial to follow in Fairview Cemetery in Jasper. The V.F.W. Post #673 will conduct military grave site rights.

A visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until the 11:00 a.m. service time at the church on Friday.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Memorial Hospital Foundation or to a favorite charity.

Condolences may be made at www.becherkluesner.com.