Merle E. Orem

Merle E. Orem, 92, Russiaville, passed away at 8:40 pm Thursday, May 16, 2019 at Golden Living Center-Sycamore Village-Kokomo. He was born January 25, 1927 to the late Charles and Faye (Merrick) Orem in Russiaville. On January 27, 1950, he married Virginia Farmer, who preceded him in death on July 2, 1999.

Merle was a 1945 graduate of Forest High School. He served in the Army from 1954 to 1956 before becoming a lifelong farmer and rural mail carrier for 19 years in Russiaville. Merle was a member of Union Baptist Church for 79 years, the National Rural Carrier Association, VFW, and loved spending time with his family.

Merle is survived by his son, Ed (Kristi) Orem; brother, Leon (Julia) Orem; sisters, Vivian Karr, and Mary Juanita Sheffer; grandchildren, Jared (Joelle) Orem, and Anne Orem; great-grandchild, Baylee Orem; and one great grandchild due in October 2019; sister-in-law, Martha McCloskey.

In addition to Merle’s wife, Virginia, he was preceded in death by his parents, daughter, Diana Lee Orem; brothers, Dwight Orem, Joe Orem, Kenneth Orem, Donald Dale Orem, and Ralph Orem; sisters, Ruth Tucker, and Joyce Adams.

Funeral services for Merle will be held at 11 am Friday, May 24,2019 at Stout & Son Funeral Home, 200 E. Main St., Russiaville, with Pastor Ted Orem and Chris Williams officiating. Burial will follow at Russiaville Cemetery with military honors provided by the United States Army and the Kokomo VFW Military Rites Team. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 2 to 8 pm Thursday at the funeral home. Messages of condolence may be made online at www.stoutandson.com .

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.