Gary Merihew, 64 / Dec. 16, 1947 — Sept. 9, 2011

Published 9:17 pm Thursday, September 15, 2011

Gary Merihew, 64
Dec. 16, 1947 — Sept. 9, 2011

Gary Douglas Merihew, 64, of the rural Niles area, passed to his rest Friday morning, Sept. 9, 2011 at his home with his family present after a

Merihew

sickness.
Gary was born Dec. 16, 1947 in Cortland, N.Y. to the late Raymond C. and Ethyl (Satterly) Merihew. He graduated from Cortland (N.Y.) High School and had been employed at Smith-Corona Co. as a punch press operator.
Gary entered into the U.S. Air Force in 1966, and while in the Air Force, he met and married Shirley A. Hemminger, and she survives with their two sons, Kenneth (Jennifer) Merihew of Mishawaka and Robert “Bob” (Wanda) Merihew of Elkhart. There are five loving grandchildren: Celiena Merihew, Shirley Merihew, Kenny Merihew, Troy (Trisha) Winrott and Robert (Brittany) Winrott. Also, three step-grandchildren who are loved: Shelbie Turner, Zach Losher and Bryan Bottorff. In addition, he has two dear great-grandchildren, Haley and Layla. Gary has two living sisters, Shirley Parker of Cortland and Rosemary Ganoe of Homer, N.Y. There are two sisters of Gary’s who have passed, Doris Pursey and Vivian Homer.
Gary was employed at Bayer Corp. of Elkhart as an electrician, and retired after 35 years of service. He enjoyed the “Bayer Board meetings” with his fellow workers every week. Only he and the board members understood. When the family would get together or talk on the phone, it always ended with “I love you.”
Friends and family gathered Monday, Sept. 12 from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at Paul E. Mayhew Funeral Home, 26863 West Main (U.S. Highway 12), Edwardsburg.
The Service of Remembrance was held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 13 at Smith’s Chapel, 29858 Redfield Rd., between Edwardsburg and Niles.
There was an hour of visitation Tuesday at the church before the services. Officiating was the Rev. Jeff Reese, pastor of Hope United Methodist Church.
Interment was at Smith’s Chapel Cemetery at the same location.
The U.S. Air Force Honor Guard played taps and presented the flag.