June 12, 1929-Feb. 3, 2006

Martin (Dick) Mahler, 76, a lifetime resident of Mishawaka, passed away at 9:18 p.m. Friday, February 3, 2006, after fighting an illness of cancer, spending most of his time at home, but the last several days at Hospice House of St. Joseph County.

He was born in Mishawaka to Martin H. and Clara (Snyder) Mahler on June 12, 1929. They preceded him in death along with two sisters, Marguerite Colley and Rosalee Mahler. Surviving are his wife, Erma Mahler; two brothers, Robert Mahler of Mishawaka and Carl Mahler of Arizona; and a sister, Betty Lewis. Dick is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

On October 10, 1964, he married the former Ms. Erma Vlaeminck in South Bend. He was a loving father to Erma's children, William (Cheryl) Rouch of Three Rivers, Michigan, Donna (Fred) Lightner of Elkhart, Barbara (Walter) Brogdon of Elkhart, and Sharon (James) Scanlon of Pittsburgh, Pa. Also surviving are 19 grandchildren, and 32 great-grandchildren. They all loved him dearly.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, February 7, 2006, in Chapel Hill Funeral Home in Osceola. Services will be conducted by Father Richard Hire on Wednesday, February 8, 2006, at 11 a.m. in Chapel Hill Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Osceola.

Mr. Mahler was a Mishawaka High School graduate. He retired from Trinity Hackney and was employed at Northern Indiana Brass and Taylor Products of Elkhart. He was a veteran, serving his country in The U.S. Air Force in the 25th Fighter Interceptor Squad and 51st Fighter Squad. He was stationed in Seoul, South Korea, and was honorably discharged in 1954. He was a life member of the VFW Post #360, the American Legion Post #161, and a 32 year member of the Moose Lodge #599 in Elkhart.