John Frederick Maurer, 81, 313 S. Wayne St., Mendon, died at 10 :10 a.m. Feb. 27, 2007, at Joint Township District Memorial Hospital, St. Marys.

He was born Aug. 28, 1925, in Mendon, to Frederick W. and Zua Murlin Maurer. On June 10, 1951, he married Elaine Pumphrey, who survives.

Also surviving are a son, J. Gregory (Cathy), New Bremen; two daughters, Heather (Jim) Dedyne, St. Johns, Mich., and Heidi (Dale) Moorman, Celina; and nine grandchildren.

Deceased are three sisters, Vivian Schnarre, Amy Downey and Betty Mann Reynolds.

He was a third generation owner of Maurer's Hardware, Mendon. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, serving in the Medical Corps, assigned to Queens Mary and Elizabeth transport ships. He graduated from Mendon Union High School in 1943 and later from Bowling Green State University with a bachelor's degree in pre-medicine.

He had served as treasurer of the village of Mendon and clerk/treasurer of the former Mendon-Union Schools. He also had served on the Vantage Vocational School board of education, Van Wert, and on the Mercer County board of education.

He was a member of Mendon United Methodist Church and its pastor/parish board, past president of the Mendon Lions Club, former master and treasurer of the Mendon Free & Accepted Masons Lodge 586, Spencerville Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6772, Rockford Shane's Lodge 377 and Scottish Rite Valley, Dayton.

Services are 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the church, the Rev. Charles Eagle officiating. Burial is at Mendon Cemetery with graveside military rites conducted by VFW Post 6772.

Calling is 2-5 and 6-8 p.m. Friday at W.H. Dick & Sons-Hellwarth Funeral Home, Mendon, and 9:30-10:30 a.m. Saturday at the church. Masonic rites will be held at 7 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Contributions can be made to the church or the Mendon Lions Club community building fund.