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Merwyn L. Chivers

1924 - 2008

Merwyn L. Chivers, 83, of Watertown, passed away on Saturday afternoon, March 15, 2008, at Watertown Memorial Hospital.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held Wednesday at 11 a.m. at St. Henry Catholic Church in Watertown with the Rev. Brian Wilk officiating. Burial will be in St. Henry Catholic Cemetery with military graveside rites being conducted by the Watertown American Legion and the Watertown Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 3709.

Relatives and friends may call to pay their respects at the church on Tuesday from 4 to 8 p.m. and on Wednesday from 10 a.m. until the time of the Mass.

Memorials, if desired, may be directed to the family.

The Hafemeister Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Merwyn Leroy Chivers was born on Dec. 26, 1924, in Portage, son of Lawrence and Elsie (Kaiser) Chivers. On March 2, 1946, he married the former Lorayne Leona Stauss at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Jefferson.

He was a veteran of World War II serving with the United States Army in France, England and Germany from 1943 to 1945.

Merwyn was a certified welder and had been employed at the former Sherman Products, Harold A. Peterson, Inc., Menasha Corp. and the former Feed Bag Restaurant, all in Watertown, where he lived most of his life. He had been a member of the Watertown Police Department Auxiliary, St. Henry Catholic Church in Watertown and a lifetime member of the Richwood Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 7852.

Merwyn enjoyed wildlife, cutting firewood and fishing. He had managed a number of softball teams and enjoyed horseshoes and gambling. He also enjoyed playing cards, especially euchre and sheepshead. Merwyn loved spending time with his family, making turtle soup and raccoon for family dinners.

Survivors include two daughters, Judith (Tom) Schlesner of Clyman and Laurie (Keith) Rickerman of Watertown; four sons, Richard (Jean) Chivers of Watertown, Michael (Chris) Chivers of Watertown, Steve (Joan) Chivers of Clyman and Joseph (Peggy) Chivers of Reeseville; 12 grandchildren, Richard (Kim) Chivers Jr., Tessa Brady, Bryan Chivers, Shannon (Justin) Ready, Josh Chivers, Melanie (James) Chivers, Jamie (Dave) Rickerman, Randy (Jill) Rickerman, Jacki (Brandon) Rickerman, Ken Hankes, Kevin (Hope) Hankes and Sara (Jesse) Mand; 17 great-grandchildren and one on the way; a brother, Charles (Jane) Chivers of Waupaca; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Merwyn was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Lorayne on Nov. 29, 1988; his sisters, Muriel Abernathy and Rita Benedict; and his brother, Donald Chivers.

The family would like to thank the staff at Zinzendorf Hall, Marquardt Memorial Manor and Watertown Memorial Hospital for the wonderful care they provided.