Melvin Morlan Schmersey

Personal and Family Information

Melvin was born on 25 JAN 1925 in Marion, Marion County, Kansas, the son of Schmersey but his mother is unknown.

He died on 13 FEB 1990 in Santa Clara, Santa Clara Cnty, California.

His wife was Helen Jane Woolery, who he married on 2 JAN 1947 in Emporia, Lyon County, Kansas. Their four known children were Priscilla Rose (1945-2022), Melvin Morlan (1949-2001), Karel Jane (Private) (1953-?) and William Fredrick (Private) (1958-?).

Pedigree Chart (3 generations)

Events

Multimedia

Melvin Schme...

Notes

Note 1

!Obituary: [provided by Cynthia Goynes]

Melvin Schmersey, 65, a Santa Clara County public works employee and a volunteer for the YMCA in Cupertino for 26 years, died of a stroke Tuesday in a Santa Clara hospital where he was being treated for a heart ailment.

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Mr. Schmersey was a fund-raising for the "Y"s" Northwest Branch when it was built in Cupertino 22 years ago and for the addition to it that opened last month.

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Born in Marion, Kansas, Mr. Schmersey attended schools there and served in Army artillery units in England, France and Belgium during World War II. He came to San Jose in 1946 and worked for short periods as an auto body repairman and a tree trimmer before going to work in the county public works department. He was employed there and in the county transportation agency for 27 years. Mr. Schmersey specialized in trimming trees, for which he was nicknamed "Doc", said John Repetti, a colleague.

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He would do without to help other people, Repetti said. "If someone had a problem, he would sacrifice his weekends or his fishing trips to help. His main recreation was helping people."

Mr. Schmersey began his association with the YMCA in 1964 when the Northwest Branch was located in two Sunnyvale houses. He helped raise money to erect the Cupertino building in 1968.

Mrs. Schmersey sold Christmas trees at YMCA lots and canvassed individuals for contributions to improve the "Y", Camp Campbell near Big Basin, where he also worked on improving the cabins, Repetti said. Mr. Schmersey also helped with bingo games to raise funds for the Northwest Branch Addition. "No sooner was the addition built than he was pushing for addition of a pool," said the branch director, adding that the pool is expected to be added within 18 months. "He was a patron saint for this branch, and he will be sorely missed".

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Mr. Schmersey is survived by his wife, Helen, of Cupertino, two sons, Melvin Schmersey Jr. and William Schmersey, both of San Jose, two daughters, Priscilla Ingle of Sunnyvale and Karel Bufalini of Scottsdale, Arizona. two brothers, Alfred And Waldo Schmersey of Wichita, Kansas and nine grandchildren.

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A funeral service is scheduled Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. at the Chapel of the Roses, Oak Hill Funeral.

Officiating: The Rev. Wilbur Garlic.