Merle M. Siebert, 99, of Reedley, Cal., died June 4, 2024. He was born Aug. 31, 1924, to Cornelius and Frieda (Friesen) Siebert of Henderson, Neb. He married Florence (Fast) Siebert (d. 2022) on May 31, 1949.

Merle graduated from Bethel College in 1951 and earned a master’s degree in mathematics from Oklahoma State University in 1959. In 1951, he began his career as a mathematics teacher in Cheney, Kan., and continued teaching in California after moving there in 1959, teaching for many years at Reedley High School, where he also coached basketball and track. Late in his career and after “retirement,” he taught part-time at Reedley College and returned to farming for several years.

Merle and Florence were devoted to each other, their children, and extended family. The immediate family traveled back to the Midwest to visit relatives, sightseeing along the way in the Desert Southwest. Being outdoorsy, they also took the family on fishing trips in the Sierra Nevadas.

Devoted as they were to family, they also rarely missed any of their children’s concerts, musicals, games, and swim meets. This continued after their children made homes of their own. Merle and Florence often visited their children and grandchildren, especially when big events were taking place. This sometimes involved traveling half-way or completely across the continent.

Merle and Florence were both active members of First Mennonite Church of Reedley. Over the years, he served the congregation as a Sunday School teacher, usher, deacon, church board member, and church board chair. For several years, they together led week-long backcountry hikes in the Sierras for the Camp Keola Retreat Program.

Merle is survived by four children, Joleen Siebert of Reedley, CA, Ron (Kerry Noble) Siebert of Clovis, Cal., Bradley (Kay Preheim) Siebert of Topeka, Kan., and Jeff Siebert (Michael Di Bianco) of New York, N.Y., also by five grandchildren, four grandchildren-in-law, and seven great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by Florence, two sisters, and two brothers.