Merle Peterson

Merle Peterson, 918 Schrader Road, Mercer, passed away peacefully at his home with his family at his side after a two-week illness on April 21, 2016.

Merle was born in Hadley on May 1, 1932, the eldest son of Madison and Cecil Turner Peterson.  He attended Hadley schools and continued learning throughout his lifetime, even taking organ lessons well into his 80’s.

Merle was first and foremost a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and great poppy.   He was a master woodworker, electrician, mechanic, gardener, and craftsman.  It was said that he could fix anything but a broken heart.   Throughout his life Merle enjoyed sharing his time and talents with neighbors, friends and family, always wanting to lend a hand.  He built homes, vehicles, toys, furniture and a loving family – his pride and joy.

In his early years Merle was employed by Stegkepmer Motors, Stevenson Motors, GATX, Mercer Forge and retired as plant maintenance supervisor of CIT (formerly GTI) in 1997.

He was a member of Oak Grove Church, Fredonia, and member of Hebron Lodge #575 of Mercer, member of ZemZem Shriners in Erie, and a member of Scottish Rite Consistory in New Castle.

Surviving are his wife of 35 years, Margaret Kepler; three daughters and their husbands:  Janine and Dan Gnagey, Hermitage; Glenda and Gary Fulkman, New Wilmington; Marsha and David Minarik, Mercer; and stepson Joseph Kepler and his wife, Deanna, Mercer; seven grandsons: Ryan Gnagey, Christian and Collin Fulkman, Noah Minarik, Tanner and Reade Kepler, Zayne Williams.   One granddaughter, Allison Gnagey, and three grandchildren: Aubrey, Eli and Mira Fulkman complete the family.

Also surviving are four siblings: Norma Varner, Kenneth (Barbara) Peterson, of Hadley; and Dorothy See and Dale (Janice) Peterson of Florida.

Preceding him in death are his first wife, Nina Cousins, in 1977; an infant son, Ronald Edward; six brothers: LeRoy Grinnell, and Paul, Virgil, Glenn, Herman, Wayne Peterson; and four sisters: Esther Varner, Alda Straub, Harriett King, and Marty Musser.

The funeral service will be held on Sunday, April 24, 2016 at 2:00 pm at the Robert L. Snyder Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc.  169 Second Street, Fredonia with Rev. Randy Ritchey, pastor of the Oak Grove Church officiating.  The committal service and interment will follow at the Millbank Cemetery. Family and friends may call at the funeral home on Saturday from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm and are invited to share condolences and memories online at snyderfh.com.  Mercer Hebron Lodge # 575 will hold a memorial service at the funeral home on Saturday at 7:00 pm.

Those wishing to extend sympathies in memorial contribution may be made in Merle’s name to the Building Fund of Oak Grove Church, 16 Oak Grove Road, Mercer.

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