Merle L. Gahring, Jr., 81, of Rockmere Road in Oil City, passed away Thursday, July 21, 2016 at UPMC Northwest in Seneca surrounded by loving family, following a lengthy cancer illness.

            He was born in Oil City on February 21, 1935 to the late Merle L. Gahring, Sr. and Beatrice (Repman) Gahring.  His mother, Beatrice, died while he was very young, and Merle was raised by his step-mother, the late Helen (Sawatsky) Gahring. 

            Merle attended schools in Oil City. 

            He was employed for 22 years by Sears and Roebuck, and retired from the Ann Storck Center for Children in Florida, where he and his wife lived for ten years.  

            Merle enjoyed spending time with family and friends, hunting and fishing, and serving with the fire police of the Seneca Volunteer Fire Department. 

            He was married on January 30, 1954 at the Bethel Methodist parsonage by Rev. Ivan Koonce to the former Joyce A. McKean, and she survives. Joyce is the daughter of the late Paul and Hazel McKean.  Merle and Joyce were married 62 years. 

            Also surviving are two daughters, Cynthia S. Gahring and Debra S. Gahring-George, both of Florida; a son, Merle L. Gahring, III and his wife Tina of Oil City; three grandchildren, Kathy Ann Brosch and her husband Eric of Florida, and Merle L. Gahring, IV and Jesse L. Gahring, both of Oil City; and two great-grandchildren, Catlin and Austin Brosch of Florida. 

            Merle is also survived by three brothers, George Gahring, James Gahring, and Curt Gahring and his wife Cheri; and a sister, Sue Boyd and husband Paul, all of Lancaster.  Numerous nieces and nephews also survive, including a special niece, Dana Fox and her husband Brian, of Denver, PA. 

            In addition to his parents and step-mother, Merle was preceded in death by three sisters, Barbara Anderson, Judy Young, and Beverly Loose; and three brothers, Michael, Thomas, and John Gahring. 

            There will be no visitation or funeral service held.  The Hile-Best Funeral Home in Seneca, Cranberry Township is completing funeral arrangements. 

            Memorial contributions may be made to the Seneca Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 447, Seneca, PA  16346, as Merle was a lifetime member. 

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