Merle R. Arney Sr.

Merle R. Arney, Sr., 60, of Beach City, died Sunday, November 23, 2003, in Union Hospital.

He was born and raised on his family�(TM)s dairy farm outside of Navarre and continued the family business working as a dairy farmer for over 50 years.

Merle was the son of the late Ralph & Betty Carroll Arney.

He was a member of the first graduating class at Fairless High School in 1961. He served honorably in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War, earning the rank of Sergeant. Having spent his life on the farm �" Merle was also an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was also a 3-year member of the U.S. Department of Agriculture�(TM)s Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation service.

He is survived by his loving wife, Barbara (Oravec) Arney, whom he wed on June 19, 1965.

Other survivors include: Four children; Merle (Cheryl) Arney, Jr., of Beach City, JoAnn (Shawn) Fearon of Dundee, Lance Arney of Atlanta, Georgia and Aaron Arney of Massillon, two grandchildren; Jessica and Shannon Fearon, five brothers and sisters; Mel (Wanda) Arney of South Carolina, Maynard (Keren) Arney of Navarre, Jane (Dave) Johnson of Canton, Ruth (Jack) Shroyer of Navarre and Ralph (Cathy) Arney, Jr., of Virginia, several nieces and nephews.

A ceremony celebrating Merle�(TM)s life will be held Wednesday, November 26, at 11:00 a.m. in the Toland-Herzig Funeral Home, Dover with Rev. Dan Legg officiating. Interment will be in the Welty Cemetery at Beach City where the Dover VFW will conduct military honors. Friends may call in the funeral home on Tuesday from 4-7 p.m.

Those unable to attend or wishing to share a fond memory may sign the online register book for Merle by visiting the “obituaries” link on the funeral home�(TM)s website.

The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to The Church of New Hope, 3374 Schneiders Crossing Road N.W., Dover, OH 44622

Toland-Herzig, Dover
(330) 343-6132
www.tolandherzig.com