John R. Mericle

John R. Mericle, 87, of Bremen, died Wednesday, October 23, 2013 at the Pickering House. He was born January 20, 1926 in Bremen to the late Carl B. and Lois M. (Krout) Mericle. John was a member of the Bremen Bethel Presbyterian Church for over 50 years and more recently attended Rushcreek Presbyterian Church. John loved his community and served in many capacities over the years. He was a longtime member of the Bremen Chamber of Commerce and had served as president; a 60 year member of the Bremen Masonic Lodge #608 F&AM, Past Master; a 50 year 32nd Degree Scotish Rite Shriner; a member of the Alladin Shrine Temple; 66 year member of the American Legion Post 20; Fairfield County Farm Bureau; and the chairman of the Grandview Cemetery committee for several years. He was a veteran of the United States Army Corp of Engineers serving in WWII. He was the Postmaster in Bremen, retiring after 32 years and was a member of the League of Postmasters and National Association of Postmasters. John enjoyed farming, hunting, fishing and wintering in Ft. Myers, Florida the past 20 years. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Marcella M. (Muck) Mericle; daughters, Karla (Keith) Rowe, Molly (Bob) Dittoe and Jonda (friend, John Claybourn) Sims; 10 grandchildren, Chris (Lindsay) Jourdan, Charlie (Becky) Rowe, Jim (Diana) Rowe, Blake (Jennifer) Ross, Angela (Aron) Rogers, Audrey Ross, Chris (Anna) Dittoe, Jody (Mike) Taylor, Allie and Maddie Sims; 9 great-grandchildren; brother, William (Robley) Mericle; sister-in-law, Jeanne Muck; and several nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held Friday from 2-4 and 6-8 PM at the Morgan Funeral Home, 124 Fort Street, Bremen. Funeral services will take place in the funeral home on Saturday at 10 AM with Rev. Richard Riedel officiating. Graveside and military services will follow at Grandview Cemetery, Bremen. Contributions may be made in John’s memory to the Bremen Bethel Presbyterian Church, Rushcreek Presbyterian Church or Bremen Historical Society.