Sale to benefit Schmerber children

MOUND HOUSE - An estate sale Friday and Saturday will benefit the children of Richard and Tamara Schmerber, killed in their Mound House home Nov. 25.

Dayton Valley Community Church in Dayton will host the event from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 5000 Highway 50 East. There will be a $1 charge at the door

"The family contacted us and asked if we could help sell the estate, and we've agreed to do that," said Lori Schierholt, a member of the church's Praise Team and sale organizer.

All proceeds from the sale will go into an account set up at Bank of America by Loomis Fargo & Co., where Richard Schmerber worked for the past three years as a driver. Donations can also be made to the Richard and Tamara Schmerber Fund and Trust for the Children, account number 004967825191 at any Bank of America branch.

Schierholt said church members will move the items from the family's Pyrite Drive address during the week.

"I hope people attend; the children need the help," she said.

The Schmerber children - 9-year-old Christopher, 12-year-old Amanda and 15-year-old Jacqueline - are being cared for by family.

Christopher, was shot in his thigh and shoulder, was listed in serious condition Monday at Washoe Medical Center.

The boy was found injured in the home Nov. 25, after Amanda called police to say there'd been a shooting.

Richard Schmerber was found dead in the kitchen from a gunshot wound, investigators said, Tamara Schmerber had a self-inflicted gunshot wound and was found dead near the master bedroom.

Both Schmerbers served in the U.S. Navy and moved to Carson City seven years ago from San Diego, where they were stationed.

Richard Schmerber is survived by his children; parents Karl and Carolyn Schmerber of Salem, Ore.; brothe,r Steven Gregory Schmerber of Vancouver, Wash.; and sisters Karla Marie Hofman of Oregon City, Ore., and Elizabeth Diane Ferry of Salem.

Tamara Schmerber is survived by her children; parents James and Madelyn of Carson City; brother, James Bowers Jr. of Tucson, Ariz.; sisters Deborah Bowers of Carson City and Jody Davis of Nashville, Tenn.; and maternal grandmother Gladys Long of Garrettsville, Ohio.

A service for both Schmerbers is today at 7 p.m. at FitzHenry's Funeral Home Chapel of Faith.

Contact F.T. Norton at 881-1213 or ftnorton@nevadaappeal.com