Merle Hunter

AUSTINTOWN...There will be services at 11 a.m. Monday at the Higgins-Reardon Funeral Home, Austintown Chapel, for Merle L. Hunter, 81, who died Wednesdayafternoon at St. Elizabeth Health Care Center.Merle was born Feb. 6, 1924 in Martinsburg, W.Va., a son of William and Emma Nora Johnson Hunter, and came to this area in 1929.A 1942 East High School graduate, he was a supervisor for Truscon Steel and later for Keystone Steel Corp. for more than 25 years. He loved music and enjoyed singing.Merle was a Army veteran of WWII, having served in the European Theater, and received a Purple Heart after being injured in Bitche, France.He leaves his wife, Carrie L. Hetherington, whom he married June 14, 1946; two daughters, Kathleen Chuck Knickerbocker of Canton and Marjorie L. Hunter of Austintown; a son, Robert M. Sr. Lori of Struthers; ninegrandchildren, Susan, Thomas Sonya and David Vanda Knickerbocker, Deborah James Kisser, Karen Ben Pennington, Wayne King, Katarina Bennettand James Lisa Bennett; a special grandson, Bobby Hunter Jr., with whom he shared his home and a special friendship; and 15 great-grandson.He was preceded in death by five sisters and four brothers.Friends may call from 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.Memorial tributes may be made to the M.R.D.D. of Mahoning County, 4791 Woodridge Drive, Youngstown, OH 44515, in the name of his grandson, Bobby Hunter Jr..Condolences may be sent at www.higgins-reardon.com.