Myron Zerger, Teacher and Lifelong Peace Activist, Dies at 91

On April 3rd, 1974 an F5 tornado tore through the heart of Zenia, Ohio, killing 33 people and injuring more than 1300, destroying or damaging more than 1400 buildings. Within hours Brethren Disaster Ministries called for volunteers. Myron Zerger received the call in Dearborn MI. Without fuss nor fanfare, Zerger headed south to help rebuild the community. Prior to Christmas of 1973, Zerger joined the community in Homestead Florida, to rebuild after an F2 Tornado. In 1965, after the "Palm Sunday" Tornado Outbreak in Goshen Indiana, Zerger was there. Myron Zerger-peace activist, teacher, father and grandfather, died on January 5th, 2021. His son, Tom Zerger, said the cause was a wonderful, long-lived life.

Myron was born December 2, 1929 to Peter E. and Viola A. Flickner Zerger on the family farm near Elyria, Kansas, a community deeply rooted in the Mennonite Church. A historic "Peace Church", the Mennonite Church is deeply committed to the principals of service, tithing and peace.

Zerger's deep spiritual commitment informed his character and life choices. He was a conscientious objector to the Korean War, performing alternative service at Brook Lane Farm, a mental health facility in Hagerstown, Maryland, owned and operated by the Mennonite Central Committee. It was there that he met his wife, Ardis Brenneman, a nurse at the facility. They married on April 30, 1954.

Zerger taught science and math in the Dearborn Public Schools for over three decades, where he also coached football. Myron and Ardis raised four children: Nadine, Peter, Tom and Jennifer. The family spent their summers camping throughout the country, collecting rocks with the Dearborn Rock Club. Throughout his entire life, Zerger donated 25% of his teacher's salary to his church, environmental and peace groups.

His commitment to peace and social justice led him to Nicaragua and Guatamala on peace delegation. In later years, Myron traveled to Alaska with the "New Communities Project", in order to learn from the Indigenous communities.

Throughout their lives, Myron and Ardis advocated on behalf of people living with mental health issues and worked tirelessly to remove the stigma of mental illness. The couple regularly made surprise visits to Northville Psychiatric Hospital in order to monitor the facilities condition. They served as Presidents of the Dearborn Chapter of NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness).

After Myron's death, his son Tom found a small scrap of paper in his wallet with faded hand writing that perfectly described Myron Zerger:

7 Faces of Intention.

1. Be Creative

2. Be Kind

3. Be Love

4. Be Beauty

5. Be Ever Expansive

6. Be Abundant

7. Be Receptive and Peaceful

Survivors include children Nadine Zerger, Goshen, Indiana, Peter Zerger, Livonia, MI; Thomas Zerger, Dearborn, MI; and Jennifer Brown (Zerger) Mt. Clemens, MI. Grandchildren Alisha , Jordon & Nicole , Ardis and Cora. Great Grandchildren: Karsten, Richie, Ariana and Mason Myron.

Myron attended Living Peace Church of the Brethren in Plymouth, Michigan.

Memorial gifts should be directed to NAMI of Metro Detroit: http;nami;metro.org/ or Living Peace Church of the Brethren. 684 Deer Street, Plymouth, MI 48170.