Merle O. Altaffer

Merle O. Altaffer, age 88, of Bryan, Ohio, died at 1:25 A.M. on Saturday, May 31, 2014, at Community Health Professionals Inpatient Hospice near Defiance, Ohio, where he was a patient, after an extended illness. Mr. Altaffer was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, serving in multiple campaigns in the European Theater. He was employed by Hayes-Albion as a truck driver for fifteen years and later as a machinist, retiring with thirty-five years of service. He was a Life Member of V.F.W. Post #2489, where he served as post commander several times and was an active participant in the post Honor Guard for many years. Several years ago he was able to be on the Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. Merle O. Altaffer was born on June 19, 1925, near Kunkle, Ohio, the son of Henry Logan and Vera (Johnston) Altaffer. He married Rosemary Calvin on April 15, 1950, in South Bend, Indiana, and she survives. Survivors also include his children, Merle Allan (Cynthia) Altaffer, of Lima, Ohio, Hazel Jean (Andrew) Vargo, of Bryan, Warren Ralph (Linda) Altaffer, of Montpelier, Ohio, Ann Marie (Brent) Stimpfle and Denise Kay (George) Gebhart, both also of Bryan; nine grandchildren, Hayley Schmidt, Brent Tewksbury, Kyle Tewksbury, Todd (Linzi) Stimpfle, Wyatt (Allison) Stimpfle, Ryan (Maria) Altaffer, Phillip (Shelly) Altaffer, Julie (Adam) Baker and Jeff Altaffer; nine great-grandchildren; one brother, Ralph Altaffer; and two sisters, Vaneta (Walter) Hicks, of Montpelier, and Gladys (Lowell) McGowen, of Bryan. He was preceded in death by one son, Danny Logan Altaffer, a sister, Litha Landis, and two brothers, Henry and Maurice Altaffer. Visitation will be held on Friday, June 6, 2014, from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. in the Krill Funeral Home, 860 West Mulberry Street, Bryan. Grave side services with military rites will follow at 1:30 P.M. in Fountain Grove Cemetery, Bryan, conducted by Bryan V.F.W. Post #2489. Memorials are requested to Community Health Professionals Visiting Nurses and Hospice or to Bryan V.F.W. Post #2489.