Merle Arnold Blake

Merle Arnold Blake of Terre Haute, formerly of Montezuma, Indiana, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, at Terre Haute Regional Hospital on Saturday, January 9, 2016.
        Merle was born to Ruby Opal (Bennett) and Theodore Blake in Kokomo, Indiana, on September 20, 1933. He graduated from Hillsdale High School and entered the U.S. Army, serving during the Korean War. Merle then worked for Keller Marshall TV and Appliance in Montezuma before working as a maintenance supervisor at the U.S. Army Ammunition Depot in Newport, Indiana. He then continued his career at J.I. Case in Terre Haute, IN, moving to Burlington, Iowa to work for J.I. Case, until he retired there.  He then returned to Mason Hanger, also retiring from there.
        Merle enjoyed bowling, golf, gardening, and other interests in his early years, then spent much of his retirement camping and fishing with family and friends, and hitting bingo games and slot machines for amusement. He most loved spending time with family and friends, especially his kids and grandchildren. He was a member of the American Legion #48 and Montezuma Fish & Game Club.
        Merle was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Mardell Earls, Millie Trittipo, Madonna Hoggatt, brother Melvin Blake, son Steven Jones, step-brother Don Ames, and step-father Earl Ames.
        Surviving are his wife Sharon “Docca” Blake, sisters Marjorie (Don) Judson of Cicero, Illinois, Myra (Mike) Todd of Montezuma, Rebecca Trittipo of Lafayette, brother Marion Blake of Indianapolis, step-brother Bill Ames of Terre Haute, sons David Blake of Brazil, Jeffery Blake (Ted Wilson) of Terre Haute, Brian Blake of Ferndale, Bill (Jane) Hann of West Terre Haute, daughter April (Paul) Trench of Terre Haute, son Tim (Bobbi) Hann of Spring Hill, Florida, grandchildren Jessica (Bryan) Mount, Jaclyn (Justin) Vandivier, Jami (Keith) Morris, Devon (Molly) Blake, Preston Blake Hann, Brittany Stigler-Hann, Elijah Hann, Blake Hann, Tyler Trench, and several great grandchildren, brother-in-law’s, Chuck Trittipo and Dennis Hoggatt, sister-in law, Martha Blake, and nieces and nephews.
        The family thanks the staff of Kindred Care (Southwood) and the staff at Terre Haute Regional Hospital for their amazing care and support during this difficult time.
Visitation will be 4-8 on Tuesday, January 12 at Brown-Mack Funeral Home.  Services will be held at 3 pm on Wednesday, January 13 with visitation from 2-3 at the funeral home.  Officiating will be Reverend Keith McIntyre.  Burial will follow in Oakland Cemetery with military honors performed by Parke County Veteran’s Association.

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