Merle Lawrence Harder

I had a wonderful life! I looked for my obituary every day in the paper, and it's finally here. I died on Thursday, June 21, 2012. My greatest joys in life were my wife and our family. Work. When asked what I liked to do to relax, I said "work." Born at home in Limestone during the Great Depression on December 19, 1932, I was the oldest of five children born to Lawrence (Murph) and Wilma (Myerholtz) Harder. After my graduation from Oak Harbor High School in 1950, I attended the Gale Institute of Technology in Minneapolis where I graduated in 1951.My first job was with New York Central Railroad as an agent operator. Enlisting in the U.S. Coast Guard during the Korean War in 1952, I served my country for three years, achieving the rank of 3rd class Petty Officer specializing in aviation electronics, and was a radioman that was part of a crew flying PBYs in the Aleutian Islands. After service, I was an electrician with U.S. Gypsum, then lead electrician with Brush Wellman for 15 years. As the superintendent for the Village of Elmore for 22 years, I earned several awards including Best Boss of the Year, 7 Hats Award for the State of Ohio by the American Public Power Association in 1994, then became a finalist for the national award, winning that prestigious award in 1995 in Seattle. I designed and supervised the construction of the electrical substation for the Village of Elmore. Also, I never determined if it was an honor to have a boulevard named after me (Merle Harder Blvd.) when it leads to a sewage treatment plant?! I married the love of my life, Norma Marie (Weidner) Harder on October 2, 1954 in St. John's Evangelical and Reformed Church in Elmore. She died in May 2006 shortly after our 50th wedding anniversary. Norm and I had four children that survive me: Kimberly Danes, Robin (Paul) Hansen, Steven (Jeannie) Harder, and Todd (Colleen Schule) Harder. Each of our children has two children, blessing us with eight grandchildren. Adding to our family were three great-grandchildren and two step-grandchildren. My parents, two brothers, Gerald and Dennis, and sister, Twila (Harder) Zimmerman, died before me. My youngest brother, Clinton Harder (Joanne Price), survives. During my lifetime, I was a member of American Legion Post 279, Elmore Historical Society, Elmore Lions Club, and was a volunteer firefighter with the Harris-Elmore Fire Department. Raised in St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Graytown, I remained a member of the little gray church in the country my whole life. Building our family home, barns, swimming pool, rabbit hutches, dog houses, and helping build or remodel all four kids' homes were a joy to me, more fun than work. Having owned three antique cars, one Model T and two Model As, I enjoyed working on everything. For my family and friends, I hope that I have left a touch of myself with all of you. Special thanks to my family for allowing me to stay in my own home-the home that I built, until the last few months. Thank you, also, to the Senior Independence Hospice and Swan Creek Retirement Village staff, for their care and compassion. Memorial contributions can be made to the Cherry Street Mission at 105 17th Street, Toledo, OH 43604 or Senior Independence Hospice c/o OPRS Foundation 5916 Cresthaven Lane, Toledo, OH 43614. There will be a celebration of my life at 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 24 immediately followed by an Open House until 5 p.m. at Schedel Arboretum & Gardens in Elmore. Come and share your stories and memories with my family and remember the advice I've always given including: "I may be wrong, but I'm still boss." "When I want your opinion, I'll give it to you." "If all else fails, read the instructions." Funeral Home: Crosser Funeral Home & Cremation Service - Elmore-Genoa Chapel 19550 West State Route 51 Elmore, OH US 43416