Merle I. Davis, 84, of Havana died at 2:41 a.m. March 15, 2010, at Graham Hospital in Canton.Merle I. Davis, 84, of Havana died at 2:41 a.m. March 15, 2010, at Graham Hospital in Canton.
He was born on Dec. 18, 1925, in Schuyler County, the son of Ernest and Lorena Hightower Davis. He married Maxine Rhoades on Nov. 24, 1947, in Brown County. She survives.
Also surviving are two daughters, Norma (and Steven) Knapp of Wyoming, Mich., and Diann (and Brian) Pomeroy of Jerseyville; two sons, Leslie (and Donna) Davis of Astoria and Gary (and Lisa) Davis of Lewistown; one sister, Louise (and Ed) Ward of Rushville; nine grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
He graduated from Rushville High school in 1943. He owned and operated Merle’s Welding Shop in Rushville and then went on to several other places of employment, including Tribbey Implement in Rushville, Weakly and Sloan in Havana, Peabody Coal Mine in Rushville, Ag Rain in Havana and eventually retired from Freeman United Coal Mine in Industry. Over those years, he owned and managed a small grain and livestock farm.
He was a member of Havana Church of Christ and had served in numerous capacities there, including Elder, Sunday School teacher and Missions treasurer.
Before moving to rural Havana, he was a member of Ripley Church of God (of Abrahamic Faith) and served as Sunday School superintendent. He taught and preached there on many occasions.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at Havana Church of Christ with Pastor Bill Boyce and Pastor Warren Hughes officiating. Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at Shawgo Memorial Home in Astoria. Burial will be in Laurel Hills Cemetery in Havana.
Memorials may be made to his church or Lincoln Christian Nursing Home.