OBIT: Merle R. SCHROCK, 1941, Berlin R.D., Somerset County, PA

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Meyersdale Library.
Transcribed and proofread by: Richard Boyer.

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MERLE R. SCHROCK

Assistant Supt. of Schools Died Monday Evening
Merle R. Schrock Expired of Heart Affliction in Hospital

  Death Monday night claimed one of Somerset County's most prominent educators 
when Merle R. Schrock, 66, of Berlin R.D. 1, assistant county superintendent of 
schools for the past 26 years, passed away in Memorial Hospital in Johnstown.  
Mr. Schrock's death was attributed to a heart ailment and followed an illness of 
only a few days.  He was at his office in Somerset last Wednesday morning.
  When his condition failed to improve he was removed to the Johnstown 
institution last Friday.  Mr. Schrock's condition became serious early Monday 
and he was placed in an oxygen tent, but failed to rally.
  Mr. Schrock began his teaching profession in a one-room school in Stonycreek 
Township and remained there 17 years.  In 1910 he transferred to the grade 
school in Shanksville and three years later was named supervising principal of 
the Stonycreek Township schools.  He served in that capacity only two years when 
he was named to his post as assistant county superintendent of schools.
  The deceased first served under the late D. W. Sibert.  Later he worked under 
the administration of John Fike.  He retained the position when W. H. Kretchman 
was elected county superintendent in 1920 and was again reappointed at the start 
of the administration of Dr. Guy N. Hartman in 1934.
  Mr. Schrock had a conspicuous part in the development of public school music 
in Somerset County.  He planned the courses of vocal and instrumental music in 
the county and labored tirelessly in making possible the Somerset County Music 
Festival, a county-wide program which was first inaugurated  under his 
supervision in 1938.
  The deceased also was a pioneer in the development of the consolidated school 
plan in the county.  He began a study of consolidation when he first took over 
the position as assistant superintendent of schools.  He also effected the first 
consolidation program in the schools of his native Stonycreek Township.
  Mr. Schrock was born in Stonycreek Township on February 16, 1875, a son of 
William and Lavina (Walker) Schrock, both deceased.  His great-grandfather, 
Joseph Schrock came to America from Switzerland and was one of the pioneer 
settlers in Somerset County.
  Merle R. Schrock and Nellie Glessner of Stonycreek Township were married on 
September 12, 1896.  In addition to his widow, he leaves a daughter, Marguerite, 
wife of Chester Shaulis of Stonycreek Township, and a recent graduate of the 
music department at Indiana State Teachers College.
  The deceased was a Republican in politics.  He was affiliated with the 
I.O.O.F. lodge and the Reformed Church in Stonycreek Township.  Mr. Schrock 
served as Sunday school superintendent for a period of 19 years.  He also held 
the offices of deacon and elder in the church.
  Funeral services were conducted at 2:30 o'clock (this) Thursday afternoon at 
the Schrock home.  Interment was made in the Glade Reformed Church Cemetery 
under the direction of J. N. Johnson & Son, Berlin morticians.
  At the suggestion of Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Guy N. Hartman, all 
schools of the county observed the hour of his funeral with a fitting memorial 
service and early dismissal.

Meyersdale Republican, October 30, 1941