MERLE C. TINGLEY

Merle Tingley

Merle C. Tingley, 75, of Vermont died at 11:30 p.m. Sunday, April 21, 2002, at his home.

He was born May 17, 1926, in Eldorado Township, McDonough County, a son of Claude and Mary France Tingley. He married Frances I. Herron Stambaugh on June 10, 1950, in Astoria. She survives.

Also surviving are two sons, Gordon (and Cindy) of Beardstown, and Larry (and Sherri) Stambaugh of Concord, Calif.; two brothers, Gale (and Dolly) of Florissant, Colo., and Ted (and Ellen) of Estill Springs, Tenn.; one sister, Elizabeth Martin of Macomb; 12 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; one great-greatgranddaugher; and several nieces and nephews.

He was the owner/operator of Tingley's Refrigeration in Vermont. He also was head of maintenance for the VIT School District for 12 years.

He was a World War II Army veteran, serving in the 3013th Engineers Maintenance Co.

He was a member of Vermont Christian Church, was baptized into Christ on April 15, 1981, and fellowshipped with the Berean Christian Church in Ipava. He was a member of the Vermont Fire Dept. for 46 years, serving as safety chairman and chaplain. He was a member of the Carroll Rankin Post #26 American Legion of Vermont. He was a Scout member and leader for 50 years, and had been awarded the Silver Beaver Award, as well as other awards.

Friends may call after 2 p.m. on Wednesday, April 24, with family visitation from 6-8 p.m. at Shawgo Memorial Home in Astoria.

Services will be held Thursday, April 25, at 11 a.m. at Berean Christian Church in Ipava, with Mike Courson and Damien Spikereit officiating. Burial will be in Vermont Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Beardstown Christian Academy or Vermont Fire Dept.

Published in the Astoria South Fulton Argus on 4/24/2002