1933
2012
Merle E. Foraker, 79, of Stow, Ohio died Friday Dec. 14 at Stow-Glen Nursing Home after a long struggle with Parkinson's Disease.
Born July 28, 1933 in Barberton, Ohio, he was the son of the late William P. and Virginia M. (Guffey) Foraker.
He married Joyce (Epley) Foraker on August 14, 1954 who survives.
Mr. Foraker was a graduate of Galion High School in 1952 and served proudly in the United States Marine Corp from 1954-1957. He was employed by the Galion U.S. Post office for 38 years.
Mr. Foraker was a long-time dedicated member of the Galion First Church of the Nazarene and served in various capacities which included Board Member, Young People's President, District Church Extension Board member, Sunday School Superintendent, Usher and Financial Secretary. He also joined in the construction of the current church dome and committed an entire year to joining the team that provided its construction.
The second love of his life, after his beloved wife, was involvement in mission work throughout the world including an entire year that he and his wife spent as volunteer missionaries in the Dominican Republic. His "Work and Witness" trips took him to 9 different countries including Antigua, Costa Rica, Venezuela, Trinidad & Tobago, Argentina and Paris, France.
In addition to his wife he is survived by a son Stan (Cindy) Foraker of Hudson, Ohio and daughter Linda K. Matthews of Nashville, Tn. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren and brothers Chet (Marie) Foraker of Snyder, Texas and Millard (Judy) Foraker of Castle Rock, Colorado.
A celebration memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 5, 2013 at Galion First Church of the Nazarene with Rev. Rick McCartney officiating. A family greeting will take place at the church beginning at 10am. Military honors will be conducted at the church by the United States Marine Corp.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to either Christ Community Chapel (with "Bread For Haiti-Foraker" in memo line) c/o Bena Paisley, 750 W. Streetsboro Rd., Hudson, Ohio 44236 or The Wounded Warrior Project at www.woundedwarriorproject.org.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
3 Entries
Millard,
Was sorry to hear about your brother. As I can tell you first-hand, it's no fun losing brothers.
Hope you're well, old friend.
Jim Buskirk.
December 27, 2012
Dear Joyce,
We are saddened to learn of Merle's passing and are blessed to have met you at church. You were so gracious when we visited. Will let Paul Say know of the news. May God be your very best Comforter is our prayer. Bill has had some health issues the past couple years so we haven't been able to visit Ohio. He is just finishing chemo. We are praising God for His Christmas Miracle Gift of Healing as his recent scan showed no signs of any lymphoma...
Bill & Bev Beach
December 25, 2012
Dearest Aunt Joyce, I thank the Lord that He is with you and will never forsake you. I wish I could have been there with you also. I love you and Merle very much, and even though I have not been around for a very long time, that has never stopped me from thinking about or talking about you to my friends here. Be strong and comforted in our Lord. Love always, Tom.
Thomas Epleyh
December 24, 2012
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