Ade D. Mersfelder, 95, passed away peacefully at Chase Point in Damariscotta on the evening of Dec. 3. Born in Union, N.J., he was the son of Adolph and Amelia Mersfelder.
Ade grew up in New Jersey and attended schools there. In his youth he came to Maine to visit Monhegan Island with his uncle. As a teen, he was drafted by the U.S. Army to serve during WWII. Not long after getting to Europe, he was captured and became a prisoner of war for 29 months. During a prisoner transport, he and some other prisoners ran and managed to escape their captors.
Upon returning to Maine, he met and married Betty Shank, and the couple would spend their lives together between Thomaston and Monhegan Island. He and Betty operated a gift shop on Monhegan for many years, selling Ade’s arts and crafts.
His artistic talents included Audubon inspired painting and carving of birds, replicas of lobster buoys, and original oil paintings.
Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his wife, Betty in 1978.
He is survived by his sons, Robert and Alan Mersfelder; caregiver, JoAnne Mersfelder; granddaughters, Sarah Teele and husband Allen, Betsy Davidson and husband Greg, and Amy Langlais and husband Jeff; as well as great-grandchildren, Kolton McKenney, Christian Teele, Catherine Teele, Zoe Davidson, Fiona Davidson, and Emma Langlais.
A private graveside service was held at the Village Cemetery in Thomaston, where he was laid to rest with Betty
If desired, a memorial donation in Ade’s memory may be made to your local food pantry.
Condolences, and messages for the family, may be expressed by visiting www.StrongHancock.com.
Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta.
