SHINGLEHOUSE---Merle A. Graves, 85, of Shinglehouse, passed
away with his loving family by his side on Monday, December 4, 2017, in Cole
Memorial Hospital, Coudersport, after a short illness.
Born on January 13, 1932 in Shinglehouse, he was a son of R.
Lyle and Ada Ford Graves. On September
21, 1957 in the Frayser Baptist Church in Memphis, TN, he married the love of
his life, Carolyn J. Crain, who survives.
Merle graduated from Shinglehouse High School, Class of
1949. He was a U.S. Army veteran. He then attended Bryant & Stratton
Business School in Buffalo and the National Hardwood and Lumber Association’s
School of Hardwood Lumber Inspection in Memphis, TN. He was employed at various lumber mills and
in 1970 he began a career in insurance sales, retiring in August of 2017. Along with his family, Merle was a maple
syrup producer.
Merle was a member of the Shinglehouse United Methodist
Church, having served in several capacities within the church. He enjoyed supporting his favorite baseball
team, the NY Yankees and was an avid bowler, golfer, gardener and hunter. He and his wife enjoyed square dancing with
the Grand Squares. He enjoyed listening
to gospel quartet music and also enjoyed singing bass in his church choir and
as a member of the gospel group, Witness.
Merle was the longtime secretary/treasurer of the Maple Grove Cemetery
Association in Shinglehouse. He had
previously served on the Shinglehouse Borough Council. He was a loving husband and devoted father,
grandfather, and great-grandfather.
Surviving besides his wife are five children, Sharon Elaine
(Richard) Simon of Portville, N.Y., Donna (Leo) Higley of Eldred, John
(Catherine) Graves of Warren, Gary (Patricia) Graves of West Point, VA, and
Richard (Leah) Graves of Olean, N.Y.; several grandchildren; several
great-grandchildren; a sister, Lucille (Charles) Hastings of Newtown; and
several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Merle was predeceased by his
loving stepmother, Reba Woodard Graves; a brother, Lewis Graves; and a sister,
Mareta Smith.
Friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. on
Thursday at the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, 118 South Union Street,
Shinglehouse. Funeral services will be held at 11a.m. on Friday, December 8,
2017 at the Shinglehouse United Methodist Church, with the Revs. Robert M. and
Sandra D. Howles, pastors, officiating.
Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery, Shinglehouse.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the
Shinglehouse United Methodist Church, PO Box 296, Shinglehouse, PA 16748; to the
Potter County Hospice, Main Street, Coudersport, PA 16915; or to Explosive
Ordinance Device Warrior Foundation at www.eodwarriorfoundation.org.
To express condolences or share a fond memory of Merle,
please visit www.virgillhowardfuneralhome.com.
