IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Merlin
Holycross
October 10, 2012
Obituary
July 7, 1926 - Oct. 10, 2012
ELKHART — Merlin R. Holycross, 86, of Osceola, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2012, at Elkhart Hospice House.
He was born July 7, 1926, in Mishawaka to Eugene K. and Donabelle (Smith) Holycross.
On Aug. 24, 1947, he married Lauraine (Kendall) Holycross in Osceola. She survives at home.
Other survivors include a son, Robert A. (Noreen) Holycross of Oswego, Ill.; two daughters, Sue (Jim) McGee of West Lafayette and Jo Ellen (Terry) Frend of Granger; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Merlin was a graduate of Jimtown High School.
He proudly served in the U.S. Army Infantry during World War II in the European Theater.
After serving his country, Merlin was employed as an operating engineer with Sollitt Construction for 18 years. He later worked as a self-employed home builder. Prior to his retirement in 1984, he was employed with the Galaxie Corporation in Bristol.
Merlin enjoyed spending time water and snow skiing, snowmobiling, driving his dune buggy and woodworking. He had been a private pilot since 1947.
He and his wife, Lauraine, traveled to Alaska three times in the motor home he built himself.
The family will receive friends from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 14, 2012, at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart, and one hour prior to the 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 15, 2012, funeral service at Billings Funeral Home. Rudy Gourdine will officiate.
Interment will follow in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Osceola. The U.S. Army Funeral Honor Detail and the DAV Champter 19 will render military graveside honors.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Elkhart Hospice House.
ELKHART — Merlin R. Holycross, 86, of Osceola, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2012, at Elkhart Hospice House.
He was born July 7, 1926, in Mishawaka to Eugene K. and Donabelle (Smith) Holycross.
On Aug. 24, 1947, he married Lauraine (Kendall) Holycross in Osceola. She survives at home.
Other survivors include a son, Robert A. (Noreen) Holycross of Oswego, Ill.; two daughters, Sue (Jim) McGee of West Lafayette and Jo Ellen (Terry) Frend of Granger; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Merlin was a graduate of Jimtown High School.
He proudly served in the U.S. Army Infantry during World War II in the European Theater.
After serving his country, Merlin was employed as an operating engineer with Sollitt Construction for 18 years. He later worked as a self-employed home builder. Prior to his retirement in 1984, he was employed with the Galaxie Corporation in Bristol.
Merlin enjoyed spending time water and snow skiing, snowmobiling, driving his dune buggy and woodworking. He had been a private pilot since 1947.
He and his wife, Lauraine, traveled to Alaska three times in the motor home he built himself.
The family will receive friends from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 14, 2012, at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart, and one hour prior to the 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 15, 2012, funeral service at Billings Funeral Home. Rudy Gourdine will officiate.
Interment will follow in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Osceola. The U.S. Army Funeral Honor Detail and the DAV Champter 19 will render military graveside honors.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Elkhart Hospice House.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Merlin Holycross, please visit our flower store.
Services
Funeral Service
October
15
Billings Funeral Home
Starts at 11:00 am