John Merlin Cramer, 85, of Chatfield, passed away on Saturday, June 11, 2022. Merlin was born on October 2, 1936 to William and Evelyn (Pogatchnik) Cramer in Randall, MN. Here, William owned a gas station and auto repair shop, prior to obtaining his welding certification. William welded on United States Navy ships during WWII, which brought he, Evelyn and their four sons to Oakland, California; Milwaukee, Wisconsin and finally Chatfield, Minnesota.