Merlin Schiffman

Merlin Bert Schiffman, Age 84 has gone to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on July 26th, 2018.

Merlin was born on November 18, 1933 in Mendon, Utah.  He is predeceased by five of his six sisters; Della Sodenkamp Denning, Lois Skabelund, Elda Quinn, Verda Gittens, and Rosemarie Monson.   He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Marilyn Shelly Schiffman of Placitas, New Mexico and his three children, Randall Bert Schiffman (Rosie Sieben), Robert Blake Schiffman, Shelly Ann Brown (Clark Brown).  He is also survived by 6 grandchildren, Jessica Schiffman, Brian Schiffman, Christopher Lowery {Lizzie Wright), Austin Lowery, Cody Lowery (Emerald Lowery), and Jillian Lowery as well as 4 great grandchildren, Sami Schiffman, Donovan Coranta, Jessi Peabody, and Aria Peabody. 

Merlin was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and served faithfully his entire life.  He gave freely of his time and talents for every person he thought was in need.

He grew up in Northern Utah, picking up potatoes, thinning sugar beets, loading hay bales, picking beans and cherries. He went into the Army in 1954 and served 2 years in Tacoma, Washington followed by 6 years of Reserves and National Guard.

He married Marilyn Shelly on August 21 1957 when he returned from the Army and immediately went off to college in Greeley Colorado for 4 years.  Merlin received his Bachelor’s Degree in Education from the University of Northern Colorado and taught elementary school for the Bureau of Indian Affairs for 25 years.  This was all in service for the Navajo children which he loved dearly.

After he retired, he worked for the LDS Church as a Custodian Supervisor, making sure that all of the Chapels in the Albuquerque Area were in top notch condition.  During this time, he spent so much time with his beloved grandchildren.

In 2001, he moved to Medical Lake WA to be near Shelly and her four children.  He worked as a custodian at the Medical Lake Schools where the four grandchildren attended for many years. He then followed the grandchildren to Sherwood OR in 2009.

In 2013, the grandchildren having grown up, he returned to New Mexico and lived with his son, Rob in Placitas.

His lifelong hobby was gardening and a love of old cowboy movies … especially Roy Rogers. He will be remembered for his kindness to everyone and his love of children … every child he met.

A memorial service will be held at:

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Bernalillo Chapel

Monday, July 30, 2018 at 11:00 am

275 E Avenida De Bernalillo,

Bernalillo, NM.

Interment will be held at:

Mendon City Cemetery

Thursday, August 02, 2018 at 10:00 am

Mendon, Cache County, Utah

In lieu of flowers’ we would ask for donations to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital be made in Merlin’s name. He so loved the little ones.

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