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Mary E. "Merf" Confer, 82, formerly of Orviston, passed away peacefully at her home in Centre Hall on Monday, Nov. 27, 2023.
Born on April 1, 1941 in Bellefonte, she was the daughter of the late Cyrus and Myrtle (Watkins) Shaffer, Sr.
On Dec. 24, 1959 in Bellefonte, she married Larry G. Confer. Larry passed away on May 8, 1997.
Merf attended the Bellefonte Area Schools. She worked at Erie Technologies, Centre Engineering and Armstrong before going to the Housekeeping Department at Centre Crest Nursing Home, retiring in 2004 after 20 years of service.
Merf held a strong conviction for her Lord and Savior. She attended the Orviston Bible Church and the Good Shepherd Church in Bellefonte and liked reading her Bible.
Merf enjoyed the simple pleasures of life. She attended the Centre County Grange Fair for many years. She treasured the many friendships made while camping there. She enjoyed taking cruises with her family to Bermuda and the Bahamas and could always be found in the casino. When not on cruises, she enjoyed trips to the local casinos. Above all, she loved spending time with her family.
Merf is survived by her three sons, Scott W. Confer and his wife, Vicki, of Spring Mills, Michael L. Kelley and his partner, Scott Mauger, of Bellefonte, and Christopher L. Confer and his wife, Michelle, of Howard. She is also survived by a brother, Hugh Shaffer, and his wife, Diane, of Bellefonte; two sisters, Cora Shaffer, of Howard, and Josephine Walker, of Bellefonte; six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Along with her parents and husband, Merf was preceded in death by a son, Larry G. Confer, Jr.; four brothers, Cyrus, Jr., Harvey, Earl and Jim; and three sisters, Jane Rider, Nancy Nilson and Esther Bumgardner.
A public viewing will be held on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, at the Daughenbaugh Funeral Home, 102 Spring St., Milesburg. Funeral services will be at 12 noon, at the funeral home, with Pastor John Snare officiating. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery in Boggs Township, rural Howard.
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that memorial contributions be made to The St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 (stjude.org).
Arrangements have been entrusted to Daughenbaugh Funeral Home, Inc. in Milesburg, Pa. An online guest book can be signed or condolences to the family available at www.daughenbaughfuneralhome.com.