Joseph Merle Carter Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Joseph Merle Carter, 96, of rural Wapakoneta, died 7:32 a.m., Wed. July 20, 2022, at Lima Memorial Health System, with his family at his side. He was born Feb. 14, 1926, in Waynesfield, OH, the son of the late Everett & Hattie (Miller) Carter. While stationed with the U.S. Army in Wiesbaden, Germany, Merle met his beautiful wife, Helene Nikolaenko. They were married Sept. 23, 1951, and she preceded him in death on June 4, 2013. Survivors include, 9 children, Larissa (Mike) Osbun, Loretta (Bill) Diehl, Mike (Lois) Carter, Andy Carter, Lana Hall, Tamara Belisle, Brian (Louise) Carter, Linda (Karl) Wolf, & Laura (Steve) Shepherd, 23 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren, 2 sisters-in-law, Rowena Carter, & Mary Lou Carter. He was preceded in death by 2 grandchildren, Grace Elisabeth Schoonover and Lane Arnell Hursh; siblings and spouses, Erma (Grant) McGrath, Elmer Carter, William (Lucille) Carter, Nellie (Charles) Martin, Lucille (Rex) Claybaugh, Abrahm Carter. Merle was a 1944 graduate of Waynesfield –Goshen High School, and a U.S. Army veteran having served during W.W. II and the Korean War. He retired from the the Lima State Hospital after 35 years of service. He also had worked at Howell Hardware, Waynesfield, the Shaw Lumber Co., Uniopolis, and drove school bus for the Waynesfield- Goshen Schools. Merle was a member of the Waynesfield Baptist Church, and a 77 year member of the American Legion Post #395, Waynesfield. He loved telling stories of his time in the service to his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He also enjoyed playing euchre, mowing grass, caring for his vegetable garden, and watching the Cleveland Indians. Funeral services will be 3:00 p.m., Sun. July 24, 2022, at the Waynesfield Chapel of the Eley Funeral Home & Crematory, with Robert Waitman officiating. Burial is to follow in the Fairmount Cemetery, near Uniopolis, where military rites will be conducted by the Wapakoneta V.F.W. Post #8445. The family will receive friends 1-3 p.m., Sun. at the funeral home. Due to family with severe allergies and in lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be directed to the Waynesfield Baptist Church. Condolences may be expressed at www.eleyfuneralhomeandcrematory.com.

Joseph Merle Carter

February 14, 1926 - July 20, 2022