Woodland Village of Suring has selected Melvin Scheer as its June Resident of the Month.
Scheer was born on Dec. 31, 1935. He grew up on the family farm in the town of How. He attended St. John’s School and Suring Public School, graduating in 1953. He was an active member of the Suring FFA for four years.
He worked as an auto mechanic at Elfie’s Garage and then as a mechanic for the Co-Op Store in Suring. Scheer then landed a job at the Memline plant in Suring where he worked as a machinist for almost 15 years. He saw the many transitions of the plant from when it was called Memline, Gerry Woods, Nu-Line and then Even-flo, all under new management. He also worked in the parts room, known as the tool crib to his fellow employees.
Scheer married the love of his life, Eleanor Schuettpelz, on Sept. 16, 1961, at St. John’s Church, where they have been lifelong members. They have three children, Scott, Carmen and Carla, and enjoy spending time with their children and grandchildren.
Scheer loved to deer hunt; the biggest buck he shot was a 13-pointer on the family farm. He also enjoyed fishing on Wiscobee and Arbo Vitiae lakes, where he caught many fish. He loves to spend time outdoors and in the woods.
His biggest passion is making maple syrup on his land. His grandpa and father taught him the trade when he was just 5 years old. At one point, he was tapping more than 400 trees, and he has been making maple syrup for 75 years. He loved when the sap was being cooked down because he had plenty of time to visit, play cards and tell stories with many of his family and friends.
While being a resident at Woodland Village, he enjoys a good game of bingo, works on word searches and participates in other activities.
