Merlin E Haberer

A visitation for Merlin Haberer will be held on Thursday, February 8, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Bauer-Torrey & Mach Funeral Home in Alma, Nebraska.

A Graveside Service and Military Honors for Merlin Haberer will be held on Friday, February 23, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at the Parkview Cemetery, Hastings, Nebraska, with Air Force Honors.

Merlin Haberer, 90 years of age, of Alma, passed away on Saturday, February 3, 2024, at the Central Nebraska Veterans Home in Kearney, Nebraska.  Merlin was born in 1933, in Wayne, Nebraska, the younger of two sons, born to Joe and Agnes Haberer.  The family moved to Hastings when Merlin was in elementary school, and he lived in Hastings until he graduated from St. Cecilia High School in 1952.

Following his education, he joined the Air Force and married Noel in 1954.  They had one daughter, Lisa.  After leaving the Air Force in 1956, Merlin worked for Debus Baking Company as a bread delivery driver for over 19 years.  The bread company relocated Merlin and Noel to Alma in 1961.

After he left the bread company, he went into business for himself, creating Haberer's Nut & Bolts, where he sold high quality nuts, bolts and tools.  He had many farm and ranch customers in Nebraska and Kansas and even one in Australia!

Merlin loved going to NASCAR and dirt track races and sponsored many local drivers.  In his younger years, he enjoyed music and dancing and was always the life of the party.  Merlin suffered from dementia for the last several years of his life.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and his brother, Maurice and his wife, Christine.

He is survived by his wife of over 69 years, Noel Haberer of Alma; his daughter, Lisa Henry and her husband Mike of Virginia; grandson, Andrew Jones of Florida; granddaughter, Gina and her husband Chris of Hawaii; four great-grandchildren:  Alexis, Adrianna, Ian and Matthew and one great-great-grandson, Drew.  He is also survived by his nephew, Mike Haberer and his wife Dona, and two nieces, Sue Jensen and her husband Rod, and Christy Mattison and her husband Rich, all of Hastings, Nebraska.

Memorials in Merlin's honor can be made to the family for future designation.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Bauer-Torrey & Mach Funeral Home in Alma is in charge of the arrangements.