On December 20, 2015, during the Sunday School hour, Merle Ward, age 96, left this world to join his many family and friends in Heaven! He passed away peacefully with family at his side, his last words, typical of his life, “See you in the morning for coffee.” He was a wonderful gentleman, with a sweet spirit and loved by all. He is preceded in death by his loving wife of 68 years, Marie (Aleda Olson), two brothers and two sisters. He is survived by five adoring daughters Bonnie (Paul) Wilkinson, Diane Demeter, Juliene (Bob) Batcher, Becky (Kent) Davis and Luana (Andy) Helms; fifteen grandchildren; twenty six great grandchildren and one great great grandchild, as well as many special nephews, nieces and friends. He was a World War II veteran and a member of “the greatest generation”. He was a long time member of the First Baptist Church of Maine where he held many leadership positions as long as his health allowed along with singing in the choir, men’s quartets and sometimes with a daughter or two. Merle was a retired IBM Corp employee, retiring after more than 40 years of dedicated service and was a member of its Quarter Century Club. In his younger years he enjoyed archery, hunting, fishing, softball and home projects including a homemade swing set, a tree house and putting up flood lights for the community ice skating pond behind his home. He and his wife, Marie designed and built their retirement home on a hill just above Maine which had been their dream since they were teenagers. He spent his last few years in that home with his daughter, Diane, who lived with and cared for him.

Memorial Services will be held Saturday, 2 pm, May 14^th at the First Baptist Church, 16 Church Street, Maine, NY.