Friday, April 3rd, 2009
Jan Merder
Jan Keith Merder, 70, of Tellico Village, Tenn., died April 2, 2009, at his home.
He was born Feb. 5, 1939, Jasper, Ind., to Kenneth Karl and Adelaid Willis. His mother survives in Sullivan, Ind. In 1962, he married Joy Buckner, who survives.
Other survivors are two sons, Jeff (Becky), Carlsbad, Calif., and John (Kim), Suwanee, Ga.; two daughters, Julie (Jon) Bannon, Carmel, Ind., and Jenelle (Shane) Segars, Montgomery, Ala.; two sisters, Sara Ault and Nancy Wesner, both of Sullivan; a brother, Mike Merder, Indianapolis, Ind.; and nine grandchildren.
He graduated from Sullivan High School in 1957 and received a bachelor of arts degree from DePauw University in 1961 and his masters degree in education at The Ohio State University in 1962. He worked for two years as head basketball coach and assistant football coach while teaching mathematics at Celina High School, where he directed the summer education program. He joined Dana Corporation in 1965 and held various positions in Indiana, Ohio, Alabama and Pennsylvania. He was promoted to general manager at Dana, served his last six years in Thailand and retired in 2003 after 38 years with the company.
He was a member of Tellico Village Community Church, and served on the church council and as leader of the worship and music team. He was active in the United Way and the Chamber of Commerce, and in 2007-2008, he served as president of the Little T Squares of Tellico Village, a square dancing club.
A memorial service is 11 a.m. Wednesday at the church, with a luncheon to follow in the Christian Life Center at the church.
Calling is 5-8 p.m. Tuesday at Click Funeral Home, Lenoir City, Tenn.
Contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society or the building fund of the church.
Condolences can be left at www.clickfuneralhome.com.
