Merle Ellwood Flagg

1927 - 2022

RANDOLPH - Merle Ellwood Flagg, 94, a resident of the Randolph Manor, formerly of Cattaraugus and Napoli, passed away Friday (July 15, 2022) at the manor, while under the care of hospice.

Merle was born Oct. 18, 1927, in Buffalo, the son of the late Ellwood and Beatrice (Crowl) Flagg.

He was a member of the class of 1946 at Cattaraugus High School, where he had left to join the military. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving from May 14, 1946, to July 22, 1950.

Merle retired from the Cattaraugus County Highway Department on Sept. 30, 1985, where he was head mechanic for many years, starting his career with the department on Nov. 16, 1948. After retirement, he was the head groundskeeper at Liberty Park Cemetery, in Cattaraugus.

He was a life member of the Randolph VFW Post 6533 and a former Little Valley VFW Post member. He was a member of the Randolph Lodge 359, Free and Accepted Masons and a former grand steward with the Cattaraugus Berean Lodge.

He was also the former grand lecturer with the Otto Order of the Eastern Star (Clinton F. Paige Lodge); a member of the Napoli United Methodist Church; and also formerly at the St. John's Lutheran Church in Cattaraugus.

Merle enjoyed woodworking, making bird houses and wood ducks, clock making, hunting, gardening, and camping.

He is survived by his wife, Rosamond Mae (Rugg) Flagg, whom he married on March 15, 1997; a step-daughter, Linda (Joseph) Conti of Jamestown; five grandchildren, JB (Christine) Conti of Stockton, Jayme (Kate) Conti of Ellington, Jeffrey Lexer of Boston, Christopher (Marcia) Lexer of Yorkshire and Carol (Patrick) Grabowski of Alabama; 10 great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; three step-sisters, Carol Lewis Eichmann of Hilton, Ann Lewis Waters of Little Valley and Ellie Lewis Lesefske of Gowanda; as well as many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Florice "Peggy" Gross Flagg on Dec. 2, 1996; a stepson, Bernard Lexer on Sept. 10, 1969; and stepdaughter, Jody Lexer in May of 1988.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday (July 18, 2022) from the VanRensselaer & Son Funeral Home, 14 Church St., Randolph, from where services will follow at 1 p.m. The Rev. Rene Adams will officiate. Burial will be in the Liberty Park Cemetery in Cattaraugus.

To leave a condolence for the family, visit www.vanrensselaerandsonfuneralhome.com.

Memorials if desired, may be sent to the Order of Eastern Star Home, 8290 NY Route 69, Oriskany, NY 13424.