Merle H. Gray, 83
Merle H. Gray, 83, of Camden died at 10 pm Monday April 8th at his home. He was born in White County, near Idaville, IN on July 2, 1929 the son of Harry H. and Mamie G. (maiden- Edgerly) Gray. He was raised by his stepfather, Harry Hartman, and his mother following his father's death when Merle was 10. Merle started school in a one room school house at Caley near Royal Center, IN. He was a 1947 graduate of Camden High School and attended Purdue University. He worked for the Pennsylvania Railroad prior to serving as a corporal in the U.S. Army from 1951 to 1953 serving in Germany. On January 29, 1955 at Winona Lake, IN he married Lorraine E. Ness. He worked as a rural mail carrier in the Camden and Delphi areas, retiring from the U.S. Postal Service in 1990. He then worked for Wal-Mart and helped open the first Wal-Mart store in Lafayette. He retired from there due to failing health in 2011 after 20 years of service. He was a founding member of the Lighthouse of Hope United Pentecostal Church of Logansport.
Merle enjoyed coin collecting, stamp collecting, and gardening. He enjoyed watching Purdue basketball and the New York Mets, along with spending time with his beloved family.
Surviving along with his wife are four daughters, Rachael (Eric) DeRudder of Lafayette, Beth (Randy) Stephens of Cutler, Melinda (Troy) Rossetter of Delphi, and Jennifer (Bryan) Clingenpeel of Camden; three sons, Tim (Rhonda) Gray of Raleigh, NC, Tom Gray of Delphi, and Ted Gray of Camden; one brother, Leo (Renee) Gray of San Diego, CA; two sisters, Eva Elaine Vandenberg of Salt Lake City, Utah, and Carol (Tom) Majewski of Westville, IN; ten grandchildren, Skye (Bryan) Dispennett, Shelby Stephens, Kayla Stephens, Joshua Gray, Benjamin Gray, Lydia Gray, Dale R. Seward II, Charles Ryan Seward, Megan Rossetter, and Miranda Clingenpeel; three great-grandchildren, Tyler, Connor, and Cassie Dispennett.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Harold and Earl Gray; one sister and brother-in-law, Alice and John Clear; and Hartman step-siblings Chester, Ed, Grover, Harold, Harriet, Hope, and Margaret.
Funeral services will be at 1 pm Friday at Cree Funeral Home, Camden with Pastor Joshua Bault officiating. Burial will follow in the Camden Cemetery. Friends may call from 5 to 8 pm Thursday and one hour prior to services on Friday at the funeral home.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
6 Entries
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Sheri Bechdolt Francis
April 12, 2013
We are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Gray family.
Brenda, Jim, and Claire Chewning (Rhonda's sister) - Roanoke, VA
Brenda Chewning
April 11, 2013
I worked with Merle at Walmart back when it opened. My prayers and deep sorrow goes out to this family in need.
Stanley Seretny
April 11, 2013
So sorry for the loss of Merle! Keeping the Gray family in my thoughts and prayers.
God Bless,
Deanne Lambert
April 10, 2013
You have my deepest sympathy
Peggy Zook
April 10, 2013
I worked with Merle all the years he was there, he was a good man. Had a lot of talks & laughs with Merle.Merle's family you are in my thoughts & prayers. Rest in Peace Merle
Becky Houchens
April 9, 2013
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