Merrill Eugene Stanley, 84, died at 1:35 a.m. Friday, September 11, 2009 at Heritage Pointe in Warren.
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He was born in Blackford County on September 28, 1924 to J. Earl Stanley and Grace (Marshall) Stanley. Both parents precede him in death.
Merrill graduated from Hartford City High School in 1943. He married Fostine Louine (Cheesman) Stanley on September 25, 1949 at the former E.U.B. Church now Trinity United Methodist Church. Merrill retired from St. Joe Paper in Hartford City in 1988 after thirty-four years of service.
He was a member of the Hartford City Wesleyan Church in Hartford City. He was a Sunday school teacher and especially enjoyed the two-year old class that he and Fostine had taught. Fostine and Merrill conducted Bible Studies at local nursing homes and really enjoyed their nursing home Bible Ministry. He was dedicated to hard work, family and his church. He also enjoyed gardening and flowers.
If not for the loving and caring staff at Heritage Pointe the family feels they would not have had Merrill for the past year and a half.
Merrill will be sadly missed by his wife, who he was blessed with sixty years of marriage and his never ending love and commitment to her, Fostine Louine Stanley of Hartford City; daughters, Martha Ellen (husband, Marvin) Keiffer of Wabash, IN, Esther Mae (husband, Thomas) Hileman of Ft. Wayne, IN, Ruth Ann (husband, Eric) Robinson of Plainfield, IN; son, James Alan (wife, Jennifer) Stanley of Noblesville, IN; son-in-law, Russell Loy of Hartford City; ten grandchildren, Michael Keiffer and Mark Keiffer of Wabash, Karen Loy and Russell Greg Loy of Hartford City, Alison (husband, John) Strong III and Troy Hileman of Ft. Wayne, Lindsey (husband, Frank) Hammans of Beach Grove, IN, Bradley Robinson of Plainfield, Ayden J. Stanley and Ethan T. Stanley of Noblesville; great-grandchildren, Hailey Strong and John L. Strong IV of Ft. Wayne; sisters, Zelma Everhart of Hartford City, Mable (husband, Charles) Smith of Texas, Delores (husband, Ted) Paver of Hartford City, Karen Kitterman of Hartford City; brothers, Richard Stanley of Marion, Paul (wife, Sally) Stanley of Hartford City, Ray (wife, Linda) Stanley of Hartford City; several nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, J. Earl and Grace Stanley; daughter, Mary Jane Loy; brothers, Bill Stanley and Norman Stanley; and sisters, Helen McClain and Betty L. Dollar.
Funeral service will be at 1:00 p.m. Monday, September 14, 2009 at Hartford City Wesleyan Church with Pastor Tom Parsons officiating.
Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. Sunday, September 13, 2009 at Hartford City Wesleyan Church, 221 North Cherry St., Hartford City, and one hour prior to the service on Monday.
Interment will follow at Gardens of Memory Cemetery, 10703 N. State Rd 3, Muncie.
Keplinger Funeral Home, 509 N. High St., Hartford City is in charge of arrangements.
Memorials may be made to Hartford City Wesleyan Church Building Fund, 221 North Cherry St., Hartford City, IN 47348.