John Faber

John F. "Johnny" Faber, 85, of Melrose, died peacefully Wednesday, June 7, 2006 surrounded by his family at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, St. Cloud, Minnesota.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Saturday, June 10, 2006 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Melrose, with Rev. Vince Lieser officiating. Burial will follow in the parish cemetery with military honors by the Melrose Veterans Honor Guard.

Friends may call Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose. An Eagles prayer service will be held at 6:30 p.m. followed by Melrose Veterans Honor Guard at 7 p.m. and parish prayers at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the funeral home in Melrose.

John Faber was born March 25, 1921 in Meire Grove, Minnesota to Frank G. and Helen (Deters) Faber. He served in the U.S. Army during WWII. He married Anna L. Hinnenkamp on May 13, 1947 at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Melrose. They resided in Melrose for 57 years where he was employed by Kraft Foods as a boiler technician for 39 ó years, Central Minnesota Credit Union as a courier for 9 years, and manager of the VFW Post 7050 for 13 years. John was known for his willingness to help anyone that asked. He loved entertaining his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Johnny enjoyed playing cards, dancing, playing softball, and marching in the parades with the Melrose Honor Guard. He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, lifetime member of the Schanhaar-Otte VFW Post 7050 and the American Legion Post 101, and was a member of the Aerie #622 Fraternal Order of Eagles.

Survivors include his wife, Anna Faber of Melrose; children, John Faber (Peg) of Adrian, Judi Rassier (Ron) of St. Cloud, Joann Schuler (Gary) of Mead, Colorado, and Jane Wolff of Fargo, North Dakota; sister, Alma Blenker of Melrose; 9 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers and sisters, Joseph, Herman, Edward and Frank Faber, Annie Illies, Loretta Koll, Katie Salzman and Rose Wehlage.

Casket bearers will be Brent and Brian Rassier, Zachary Faber, Jay Neunsinger, Evan Wolff and Eric Laumeyer. Cross bearer will be Mary Beth Laing with Christi Laumeyer serving as scripture bearer. Honorary bearers will be Herman Westendorf, Hank Westerhaus, Ray Maus, Mel Roehrl, Tony Schwieters, Leander Kettler, Sylverius Rademacher and Elmer Gerding.