IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Merle B.
Holdeman
September 30, 2012
Obituary
Sept. 22, 1925 - Sept. 30, 2012
BRISTOL — Merle B. Holdeman, 87, of Bristol, passed away Sunday, Sept. 30, 2012, at Greenleaf Healthcare Campus after a five-month battle with leukemia.
He was born Sept. 22, 1925, in Bristol to the late Ira V. and Anna (Keggereis) Holdeman. On June 9, 1946, he married Marilou Wolf in Elkhart. She passed away on Oct. 13, 2006.
Surviving are a son, Charles R. Holdeman and his wife, Mejen, of Elkhart; six grandchildren, Mike Holdeman, Teresa (Andrew) Miller, Stacy (Todd) Plank, Stephanie (Ron) Brantley, Amanda (Allen) Hatton and Sean (Tracy) Frick; and his five loving great-grandchildren, Logyn, Emmy, Ares, Blake and Teddy with another on the way. Surviving as well are his brother, Howard K. Holdeman and Doris Bachman of Elkhart; daughter-in-law Julie (Holdeman) Hinzmann and husband Alan of Elkhart; and his companion Ella Aurand of Mottville, Mich.
Two sons, Thomas L. and Paul E. Holdeman preceded Merle in death.
Merle was the co-owner, along with his brother, of Merhow Industries in Bristol for 35 years. After he retired, he owned and operated Tired Iron Farm, where he made hoods and fenders for antique tractors. He was active in many organizations, including the Elkhart Vintage Auto Club, Midstates Jeepster Association, Tin Lizzie Travelers Club and Elkhart Moose Lodge, and was a private pilot. He was a former member of St. John of the Cross Episcopal Church and had been attending Zion Lutheran Church in Bristol.
Merle and his wife wintered for many years in Sebring, Fla.
Please join with his family and friends from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 4, 2012, at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart. Friends may also call for one hour prior to the 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 5, 2012, service to celebrate the life of Merle B. Holdeman at Zion Lutheran Church, 20943 C.R. 6, Bristol. Pastor Karen Strietelmeier will officiate. Cremation will follow the service, with burial later in Zion Cemetery Bristol.
Memorials may be given to the charity of one's choice.
To send a condolence or share a memory with his family visit www.billingsfuneralhome.com.
BRISTOL — Merle B. Holdeman, 87, of Bristol, passed away Sunday, Sept. 30, 2012, at Greenleaf Healthcare Campus after a five-month battle with leukemia.
He was born Sept. 22, 1925, in Bristol to the late Ira V. and Anna (Keggereis) Holdeman. On June 9, 1946, he married Marilou Wolf in Elkhart. She passed away on Oct. 13, 2006.
Surviving are a son, Charles R. Holdeman and his wife, Mejen, of Elkhart; six grandchildren, Mike Holdeman, Teresa (Andrew) Miller, Stacy (Todd) Plank, Stephanie (Ron) Brantley, Amanda (Allen) Hatton and Sean (Tracy) Frick; and his five loving great-grandchildren, Logyn, Emmy, Ares, Blake and Teddy with another on the way. Surviving as well are his brother, Howard K. Holdeman and Doris Bachman of Elkhart; daughter-in-law Julie (Holdeman) Hinzmann and husband Alan of Elkhart; and his companion Ella Aurand of Mottville, Mich.
Two sons, Thomas L. and Paul E. Holdeman preceded Merle in death.
Merle was the co-owner, along with his brother, of Merhow Industries in Bristol for 35 years. After he retired, he owned and operated Tired Iron Farm, where he made hoods and fenders for antique tractors. He was active in many organizations, including the Elkhart Vintage Auto Club, Midstates Jeepster Association, Tin Lizzie Travelers Club and Elkhart Moose Lodge, and was a private pilot. He was a former member of St. John of the Cross Episcopal Church and had been attending Zion Lutheran Church in Bristol.
Merle and his wife wintered for many years in Sebring, Fla.
Please join with his family and friends from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 4, 2012, at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart. Friends may also call for one hour prior to the 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 5, 2012, service to celebrate the life of Merle B. Holdeman at Zion Lutheran Church, 20943 C.R. 6, Bristol. Pastor Karen Strietelmeier will officiate. Cremation will follow the service, with burial later in Zion Cemetery Bristol.
Memorials may be given to the charity of one's choice.
To send a condolence or share a memory with his family visit www.billingsfuneralhome.com.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Merle B. Holdeman, please visit our flower store.
Services
Funeral Service
October
5
Zion Lutheran Church
Starts at 2:00 pm