Merlin W. Habegger

Merlin W. Habegger, 90, of Berne passed away on Thursday, January 25, 2018 at Swiss Village in Berne, where he was a resident. He was born on February 10, 1927 in Adams County to Homer and Tillie (Yoder) Habegger. He was married on April 5, 1969 to Harriet Habegger.

He served in the US Navy during World War II. He started his working career as a building, concrete and masonry contractor (M. W. Habegger Construction Company). His greatest joy was building churches. He was also a local developer and started the development of Forest Hills west of Berne.

In his retirement years, he and his wife spent many winters in Florida with family and friends. He also continued development of Forest Hills. He was a loving father and enjoyed spending time with his family having fun and playing games. He had a positive personality and honored God in daily life and business practices. He was a member of the First Missionary Church in Berne. 

He is survived by his son, Steven Habegger of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee; two daughters, Carol (Steven) Counsell of Indianapolis; and Jane (Robert) Summers of Berne, all from a previous marriage; a special daughter, Laurie (John) Kaeser of Berne; eight grandchildren, Emily (Joe) Partin of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee; Ben (Becky) Habegger of Murfreesboro, Tennessee; Chad Summers; Sarah (Jorge) Tosado; and Suzanna (Ramito) Tosado, all of Fort Wayne; Thomas (Jessica) Counsell; and David (Laura) Counsell, both of Indianapolis; and Elizabeth (John) Sandvig of Grand Rapids, Michigan; and nine great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; brother, Glenn Habegger; and two sisters, Vernelle Zurcher; and Treva Wiederkehr.

Visitation will be from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 27 and one hour prior to the 2:00 p.m. funeral service on Sunday, January 28 at the Swiss Village Auditorium. Officiating will be Dr. Wayne Steury. Burial will be at MRE Cemetery in Berne.

Graveside military rites will be provided by the American Legion Berne Post $468.

Memorials may be made to First Missionary Church Missions or First Church of the Nazarene in Berne.

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