Merlin K. Sprunger

Merlin K. Sprunger, 96, of Berne passed away on Wednesday, October 19, 2016 at Swiss Village, where he was a resident. He was born on March 8, 1920 to Jonas and Zilla (Gilliom) Sprunger. He was married on September 9, 1950 to Alice Mae Neuenschwander.

He worked as a CPA with Edward Gore and Company in Fort Wayne, as plant manager and controller at Berne Furniture, and as the first executive director and later controller of Swiss Village. He also served on the Swiss Village Board of Directors for 35 years.

He was a member of the First Mennonite Church, where he served as church treasurer and as a member of the church advisory council. He was a member of Men’s Chorus and the Mennonite Choral Society. He volunteered many years as treasurer of Et Cetera Ecke and Swiss Heritage Society. He especially enjoyed listening to classical and big band music and playing trombone and trumpet duets with his grandson.

He is survived by his wife; three daughters, Joanne Sprunger of Seattle, Washington; Jennifer Sprunger of Lafayette; and Ellen Sprunger of Indianapolis; two sisters, Doris Sprunger; and Berneta (Don) Yager, both of Berne; and grandson, Christopher Sprunger of Glendale, California.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Margaret Eggers; and five brothers, Freadus, Lowell, Otis, E. Verne, and Loren Sprunger.

Visitation will be from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 22 at the Swiss Village auditorium. Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 23 also at Swiss Village. Officiating will be Pastor Jerry Flueckiger. Burial will be at MRE Cemetery in Berne.

Memorials may be made to the Swiss Village Samaritan Fund or First Mennonite Mission Fund.

Arrangements provided by Yager-Kirchhofer Funeral Home in Berne. Sign the guest book online at www.yagerkirchhofer.com.