4/26/1926-11/25/2017

Merle Stewart age 91, rural Portland resident passed away Saturday evening in Christian Care Retirement Community in Bluffton. He was born in Randolph County April 26, 1926 the son of Orla and Marie (Abels) Stewart. He was married in 1950 to Wanda Lou Journay and she died April 3, 2007. He was a farmer and electrician and also owned and operated Mount Pleasant Store. He was a US Army WW II veteran, attended Fairview United Methodist Church, member of Portland Elks Lodge, Portland Moose Lodge, American Legion Post #211, Ft. Recovery VFW, Tri State Gas Engine and Tractor Association and graduate of Gov. I P Gray High School.

Surviving are two sons Greg Stewart (wife Cindy) of Portland and Gary Stewart (wife Diane) of Portland, one daughter Julie Thompson (husband Doug) of Bluffton, one sister Nina Votaw (husband Jim) of Portland, Twn grandchildren, Eighteen great grandchildren and one great great grandchild. He was preceded in death by one great great granddaughter

Funeral services will be Wednesday at 10:00 AM in the Baird-Freeman Funeral Home with Pastor Joe Hines presiding. Burial will follow in the Salamonia Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday from 3:00 – 7:00 PM. Memorials can be made to Jay County Cancer Society, Fairview United Methodist Church or Christian Care Retirement Community.