Obit: Scherer, Douglas Howard (1942 - 1960)

Contact: Linda Mertens
Email: mertens@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Anderson, Copeland, Deml, Fuchsgruber, Herman, Kwasny, Mercer, Mertens, Pecher, Plockelman, Sauter, Scherer, Schmidt, Schultz, Sebold, Spech, Underwood, Wagner, Welch, Younker, Zier

----Source - Anna Johnson's Scrapbook

Douglas Howard Scherer (03 Sep 1942 - 17 Mar 1960)

Funeral rites were held Monday for two of Dorchester's young people whose lives were snuffed out in a Highway 13 tragedy early the morning of March 17. Final rites for Marlene Pecher, 17, who died in St. Joseph's hospital, Marshfield, about 7 :00 a. m. last Thursday following the accident in which she was fatally injured about 2:30 a. m, were held from St. Louis Catholic church at 10:30 a. m. Services for Douglas Scherer, 17, who was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident, were held from the Peace church hall at 2:00 p. m. Both were interred in Memorial Cemetery here.

The Rev. Harold Welch, pastor of Salem Evangelical United Brethren church here, officiated at services for Douglas Scherer. Redecorating of Salem church made it unavailable for the rites, which were held in Peace church hall instead. Miss Janis Zier sang "The Old Rugged Cross" and "Beyond the Sunset", accompanied by Miss Donna Schmidt.

Members of Dorchester high school's basketball teams served as pallbearers. Actively were Steve Mertens, Wayne Underwood, Larry Copeland, James Kwasny, Sam Zier, and Albert Schultz; honorary, David Schultz, Nels Anderson, Duane Sebold, Mike Wagner, Joe Herman, Randy Sauter. Fuchsgruber Funeral Service had charge of the arrangements.

Flower girls were Corinne Mertens, Sharon Plockelman, Deanna and Kathleen Younker, Esther Anderson and Mary Deml of Medford.

Douglas Howard Scherer, son of Mrs. Evelyn Scherer and Francis Scherer, was born Sept. 3, 1942, in Abbotsford. The family moved to the old Mayville Cheese Factory just over 10 years ago, and Douglas attended Hilltop school. Several years ago, Mrs. Scherer and her children moved to the village where they have since resided.

Douglas was active in athletics at the local high school, being named to the 3C all-conference second team last year, and reigning as king of this year's homecoming and basketball game.

He had enlisted in the navy, and was scheduled to have reported for induction May 24, five days after commencement at which he would have been graduated from high school.

Surviving are his mother, a sister, Mrs. James (Barbara) Mercer, and a brother Allen, all of whom reside here; his father at Spencer; and his maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Spech, Abbotsford.

Attending the rites from out-of-town were relatives and friends from Abbotsford, Greenwood, Loyal, Milan, Medford, and Spencer.