Person:Merle Holcomb (1)

Merle J. Holcomb, 76 of Pemberville, died Sunday at Otterbein Portage Valley Retirement Village. He was born on November 24, 1929 in Scott Township to David D. and Lucille I. (Smith) Holcomb. Merle was a 1948 graduate of Gibsonburg High School. On October 21, 1950 he married Gay Smith at St. John's Lutheran Church, Fremont and she survives. Merle worked in maintenance at the Pfizer plant for 32 years and at Redland for 13 years, retiring in 1997. He was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Pemberville where he served as a church trustee and he was a member of the Choir and dartball league. Merle was also a member of the Veracious Voices of Victory Community Choir.

Surviving are children, Doug (Janell) Holcomb of Fremont, Jeff (Linda) Holcomb of Gibsonburg, Denny (Christi) Holcomb of Paducah, KY, Amy (Rod) Lanning of Bowling Green, OH; eleven grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren; siblings, David, Richard, George (Linda) all of Gibsonburg, Mike (Marcia) of Riverview, FL and John also of Gibsonburg.

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He is preceded in death by his parents and a brother, William.

Visitation: 7-9 p.m. on Tues. Sept. 26, and 2-4 & 7-9 p.m., Wed. Sept 27, Herman-Kinn-Veh Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Gibsonburg. Services : 10:30 a.m., Thursday at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Pemberville, with one hour visitation prior to services. Pastor David Wietleman will be officiating. Burial will follow at West Union Cemetery.

Memorials: Bethlehem Lutheran Church Music Fund, Hospice of Northwest OH or Otterbein Portage Valley Retirement Center.

Online condolences: www.hermankinn.com

Originally published September 26, 2006