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Merlin J. Schwebach
Services for Merlin J. Schwebach, age 88, of Sheldon who passed away on Thursday, September 18, 2025, at Sibley Specialty Care. His memorial service will be at 10:30 A.M. on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Sheldon with Father Siby Punnoose, officiating.
Burial will be at St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery in Sheldon.
Visitation with family present will be from 5 to 7 P.M. on Monday, September 22, 2025, at Vander Ploeg Funeral Home in Sheldon. A rosary by the Knights of Columbus will be at 7 P.M. Visitation with family present will resume on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at 9:30 to 10:15 A.M. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Sheldon.
Arrangements are under the care of the Vander Ploeg Funeral Home in Sheldon.
IN LOVING MEMORY
MERLIN J. SCHWEBACH
BORN
May 2, 1937
Granville, Iowa
PASSED AWAY
September 18, 2025
Sibley, Iowa
MEMORIAL SERVICE
10:30 A.M. Tuesday, September 23, 2025
St. Patrick’s Catholic Church; Sheldon, Iowa
Father Siby Punnoose - Officiating
MUSIC
Opening: “Go Forth”
Preparation: #455 “Come To Me”
Communion: #565 “On Eagle’s Wings”
#815 “Song of Farewell”
Closing: #593 “Mine Eyes Have Seen The Glory”
Organist: Laura Wagner
Cantor: Tyler Youngers
FINAL RESTING PLACE
St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery
Military rights presented by:
McGlothlen-Cowie Post of the Sheldon American Legion
After today’s graveside service, relatives and friends are invited to join the family in the fellowship hall of the church.
Arrangements are under the care of the
Vander Ploeg Funeral Home; Sheldon, Iowa.
MERLIN J. SCHWEBACH
Merlin James Schwebach the son John and Coletta (Stallmann) Schwebach was born May 2, 1937, in Granville, Iowa. He received his education in Melvin schools. On August 17, 1956, he was called in to the Army serving until his Honorable discharge on September 2, 1959. He returned to the Melvin area to make his home. On October 11, 1969, he was united in marriage to Paula Seivert at the St. Patrick Catholic Church in Sheldon. After their marriage the couple settled in Sheldon where two children blessed this marriage Steven and Amy. Merlin was employed by Big 4 now known at Ag Processing in the maintenance department for over 25 years, he was also employed as a parts man at Motor Supply in Sheldon. Due to ill health Merlin became a resident of Specialty Care in Sibley since September of 2022. He passed away at Specialty Care on Thursday September 18, 2025, reaching the age of 88 years 4 months and 16 days.
He was a member of the St. Patrick Catholic Church in Sheldon, the Knights of Columbus of Sheldon, a member of the V.F.W. of Sheldon. Merlin liked to spend time with his family.
Merlin is survived by his wife of almost 56 years Paula Schwebach of Sheldon, his daughter Amy Stoltenberg (John Lalim) of Wannaska, Minnesota; grandson Marc Stoltenberg of Wannaska, Minnesota; granddaughter Sidney (Logan) Lammers and their two children Lainey and Barrett Lammers of Millville, Minnesota; two step grandchildren Brianna and Mallary Lalim; a sister Clara Hartwig of Ocheyedan, Iowa; special niece Mitzi (Dwight) Glade of Ocheyedan, Iowa; brother and sister in -laws Dave (Glenda) Seivert of Everly, Iowa, Gerry (Kathy) Seivert and Lynn Seivert all of Sheldon, Iowa; also nieces and nephews.
Merlin was preceded in death by his son Steven Schwebach on January 8, 2018; parents John and Coletta Schwebach; parents-in-law Pete and Rosemary Seivert; sister Darlene Schwebach in infancy; brother-in-law Dean Seivert and nephew Troy Seivert.
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