Sept. 28, 1920 Sept. 20, 2013
Merlin E. Shade, 92, of Delphos died at 2:22 a.m. Friday at his residence.
He was born Sept. 28, 1920, in Mansfield, to William Edward and Grace Hardin Shade, who preceded him in death.
He married Nan B. Barnhard on Aug. 19, 1951. She survives in Delphos.
Mr. Shade retired from public education where he at worked in Cincinnati and finished up as a principal at Lincolnview School. He was a graduate of Lima Shawnee High School class of 1939 and went on to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Bowling Green University. He served in the US Army Air Corp during World War II where he earned the rank of Cpl.
He was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church Delphos and the Delphos Masonic Lodge 214. He had earned his 32nd degree and was also a member of the Scottish Rite of Dayton. He was a charter member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity where he joined the Elmer C. Brown Wall of Fame in 1997.
Survivors include four sons, Nile Edward (Daren) Shade of Eldridge, Iowa; Gary Robert Shade of Mountain View, Calif.; Donn William (Natalie) Shade of Clayton and Mark Thomas Shade of Lake Tahoe, Calif.; and two grandchildren, Charlotte and Ethan Shade.
He was preceded in death by four sisters, Argyle Davis, Lucille Marshall, Donna Shaw and Evelyn Petro; and an infant brother, Otis Shade.
The family will receive friends 1-3 p.m. Sunday at Bayliff & Son Funeral Home, Cridersville, and graveside services will follow at Fairmount Cemetery near Uniopolis.
Memorial contributions may be given to The American Cancer Society or to The Shriners Hospitals for Children.