Merlyn J. Schaefer, 79 of Spearfish died Saturday, May 22, 2010 at Ft. Meade VA Medical Center.

Visitation will be from 2-5 P.M., Wednesday, May 26, 2010 at Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapel in Spearfish, with Vigil services to follow at 7:00 P.M. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Spearfish.

Mass of Christian burial will be at 10:00 A.M., Thursday, May 27, 2010 at St. Joseph Catholic Church with burial to follow at Black Hills National Cemetery with full Military Honors.

A memorial has been established to benefit Hospice of the Northern Hills.

Merlyn John Schaefer was born north of Rhame, North Dakota on 4 January 1931 to Albert C. Schaefer and Cyrilla (Heying) Schaefer. Merlyn was raised on the family's farm until entering the Air Force where he served his country for twenty-eight years. He married Audrey L. Schauman on 31 December 1951 in Marmarth, North Dakota. They lived in Montana, North Dakota, California, and South Dakota, moving to Spearfish in 1993.

Merlyn is survived by his wife, Audrey Schaefer of Spearfish, his children; Michael (LouAnna) Schaefer, MI, John (Ellen) Schaefer, CA, Glenn (Helga) Schaefer, Germany, Karen Schaefer, WY, and Donald (Lynnette) Schaefer, MT ten grandchildren, one great-grandchild, sister Virginia, brothers Laverne and Jerome. Merlyn was preceded in death by his parents and two infant sons.