Merlin "Dean" Salyers

Funeral Services for Merlin "Dean" Salyers will be conducted from the First Baptist Church in Oxford, Nebraska on Friday, May 14, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Dave Hunt officiating. Interment will be held following the services at the Oxford Cemetery, in Oxford with military honors presented by the Oxford American Legion Post #219 in conjunction with the United States Navy Military Honors Team.

Merlin "Dean" Salyers, 89 years of age, of Holdrege, Nebraska (formerly of Oxford) died Tuesday, May 11, 2010 at the Phelps Memorial Health Center in Holdrege. Dean was born on February 8, 1921 in Harlan County, Nebraska to Ralph and Leona (Baker) Salyers. He attended Mascot High School, where he graduated with the class of 1938. He served in the United States Navy during World War II. He was inducted on October 1, 1942 and was honorably discharged on October 26, 1945.

He was united in marriage to Mabel F. Ewers on April 19, 1942 at Mabel's family home in Harlan County, Nebraska. The couple were married for over 68 years.

Dean farmed for over 30 years in Harlan County and worked several years for the Harlan County Department of Roads. He was also employed by the Oxford Nursing Home.

Dean was a member of the First Baptist Church of Oxford, and the Oxford American Legion Post #219.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one son, Marion, one daughter, Deanna, and one sister, Thelma.

He leaves to mourn his passing, his wife, Mabel of Holdrege; one son, Mike Salyers and his wife, Barb of Harvard, Nebraska; three daughters: Susan Schiefelbein and her husband, Ed of Winfield, Missouri, Sally Vaughn of Hershey, Nebraska, Beth Fisher of Hewitt, Texas; 11 grandchildren: Lisa Krieger, Wendy Pollard, Sarah Jones, Richard Schiefelbein, Deanna Hanlon, Angie Schiefelbein, Dan Vaughn, Tim Vaughn, Staci Gilmore, Heidi Dossey, Brian Fisher; 21 great-grandchildren; two sisters: Della Davison of Prosser, Washington, Norma Larson of San Diego, California; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 13, 2010 with the family greeting friends from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Mitchell-Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Oxford.

Memorials are suggested to the First Baptist Church of Oxford, or to the charity of your choice.

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

The Mitchell-Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home of Oxford is in charge of the arrangements.