Haney, Merle (née Thaler)

Passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 14, 2024 at Wellington Terrace LTC, Fergus, at the age of 91 years. Beloved mother of Paul Haney (Carolina Warren), Susan (Ron) Walton, David Haney (Arletys Borrego), and Steven (Patty) Haney. Loved and missed by special step-daughters Diane Burkhart and Sherry Denstedt. Dear grandmother of Sharla, Don (Sue), Adam (Katiana), Dayna (Scott), Brent (Lisa), Tiffany (Jason), Natalie (Zoe), William, Jose (Ariel), and Nick; and great-grandmother of Nathan, Julia, Blake, Grace, Elena, Alexander, Reid, Cash, Ty, Colby, and Zoe. Will be missed by brother-in-law Arnold Davies, and many nieces, nephews and their families. Predeceased by husbands Don Haney (1978) and Lewis Drudge (2001), parents August and Janet (Pollock) Thaler, sisters Elaine (Reginald) Haney (2019), Marilynn Davies (2024), and Vivien (Barry) Tolton (2023). Merle was a kindergarten teacher in Moorefield and Elmira (Riverside) for many years. She was an active member of Trinity United Church, and also enjoyed volunteering with the Royal Canadian Legion, distributing poppies each year. She loved spending time at her Bruce Beach cottage on the shores of Lake Huron, sharing her cottage each year with friends, family and even her kindergarten classes. Merle was an avid world traveler who visited many different countries, but especially enjoyed her Florida home at Leisure Lake Village and established many lasting friendships there. Most of all, Merle will be remembered for the love she held for her family, and her amazing dedication to her children, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren. Cremation has taken place. A celebration of Merle’s life will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, March 6, 2024 at Floradale Mennonite Church, 22 Florapine Rd., Floradale, with Rev. Sue Campbell officiating followed by a reception in the fellowship hall. The service will be livestreamed and can be accessed on Merle’s tribute page of the funeral home website. Family inurnment to take place in Hanover Cemetery in the spring. Memorial donations to Toronto SickKids Hospital would be appreciated and may be made through the Dreisinger Funeral Home, Elmira.