EDWARDSBURG, Mich. -- Gerald L. Mechling, 84, died Thursday (Oct. 23, 2008) at 9:15 p.m. after an illness while a patient at Elkhart Rehabilitation Center in Elkhart.
He was born Oct. 22, 1924, in Argos to Guy D. and Arvesta V. (Burkett) Mechling. He married Mary Ellen Miller on Oct. 30, 1948, in Bremen.
She survives as well as two sons, Raymond L. (Kimberly) Mechling of Dowagiac, Mich., and Jeffrey J. (Pam) Mechling of Edwardsburg; a daughter, Rebecca Lynn (Roger) Shields of Edwardsburg; six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; brother Allen (Helen) Mechling of Michigan City; and sisters-in-law Izzy and Pat Mechling.
He was preceded in death by a son, Harvey Allen Mechling, who died as a child; a daughter, Sandra Mersburgh; three brothers, Bill, John and Joe; and a sister Grace Batsleer.
Friends may call 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at Paul E. Mayhew Funeral Home, 26863 W. Main St., Edwardsburg. There will also be visitation one hour prior to services, set for 11 a.m. Tuesday at Community Baptist Church, 3250 U.S. 12 West, Edwardsburg. The Rev. Thaddeus Stout of Community Baptist Church will officiate and burial will be at Edwardsburg Cemetery, where the U.S. Navy Honor Guard will present the flag and play taps graveside.
Mr. Mechling, a U.S. Navy veteran who came to the area in 1962 from Roseland, worked at Bendix Corp. in South Bend and retired in 1980 from the aerospace and brake department as a machinist and assembly worker. He enjoyed wood cutting, hay bailing, cooking, drinking coffee, eating, visiting with family and friends and having scouts come to his farm for camp outs.