Merle Maher

Maher, Merle OrvilleWho left us on December. 17, 2002.Merle Orviller Maher was born to Lyle and Elsie Spaulding Maher on June 29, 1918. He was raised in Litchfield, MN., attended the Elementary Schools and graduated from High School in 1936.He was baptized into the Christian Church at 14 years of age and very soon became an aid to Erwin Marshall who was minister to the Litchfield Church for 14 years.On February 7, 1942, Merle was united in Marriage to Ethel Nielsen. She had moved to Litchfield and was employed by the First State Bank. Brother Frank Fleming performed the simple ceremony and Mrs. Hester Fleming served a lovely supper for the couple, their attendants, Elna Prestidge and Roy Lindeen, and several relatives and friends.World War II was in full throes, and men were being drafted right and left. Merle knew that he would be soon called, so he and Ethel attempted to prepare themselves for a seperation. On his birthday, June 29, 1942, Merle boarded the bus which took him to Ft. Snelling, the first leg of a 44 month journey serving his country.After his induction and basic training in Sheppard Field, Texas, he was transferred to Presque Isle Army Airfield in northern Maine. It was here that he became a part of the Chaplains' Corps, first assisting the field Chaplain. But Col. Wm. V. Morgan, Chief Chaplin of the North Atlantic Division of the Air Transport Command, Asked for him to become his aide. An attempt was made at this time to raise him to an officer's Status, but because he did not have adequate education, this was refused.Merle served with Col. Morgan for the remainder of his service from 1943 through 1945, until his tour of duty was over.His and Ethel's daughter, Julienne Lee, was born to them in 1946. She has been the shining light of her Dad, following in his Christian footsteps all of her life.Under the GI bill Merle attended Minn. Bible College, achieving a BA in ministry in four years, and then adding a fifth year to study Psychology and training of children.In 1954 Minnesota Bible College called Merle to be their Personnel Representative to the Chruches across the States. He was always welcomed as were the young people, singers and musicians who accompanied him. He held this position from 1954 to 1970.While he was a student he ministered to the Dassel Chrristian Church, and he was instrumental in bringing into existence the Brainerd Christian Church, now combined with the Baxter Church, now known as the Lake Country Christian Church.In his latter years beginning in 1985, he preached on the third Sunday of each month in the Fairhaven Christian Church, a small congregation near Kimball, MN. These dear folk have become our special spirtual family. They have needed us and we have needed them. But the Forest Lake Christian Church has been our home since 1957. No other Church on earth can take its place. It was Merle's privilege to lead the Wednesday Evening Bible Study and prayer sessions while we were between ministers. Merle rejoiced in this activity and, in his latter years, when he has not been physically strong, the fact that he could still bring God's Word to God's people has meant a great blessing to him.As Ethel was sitting at the typewriter, putting together this history of her beloved's life, the phone rang. She answered, and the hospice nurse from Birchwood told her that Merle had left this world. He is now at home with the Lord Whom he had served so faithfully for seventy years. The Lord be praised. Amen

---