MERLIN HUBER

SPENCERVILLE — Merlin Jack Huber, 84, passed away on Monday December 21, 2015 at Roselawn Manor Nursing Home in Spencerville surrounded by his loving family.

Jack was born on November 20, 1931 in Allen Country to Murlin C. and Wilma M. Huber, who preceded him in death. He caught the eye of an English girl, whom he met while serving in the United States Air Force in England. On September 5, 1955, he married Elisabeth Ann Gayton of Harrold, Bedford, England, and recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.

He was a 1949 graduate of Spencerville High School and a life long member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church. He served his country from 1951 to 1955, where he was a staff sergeant with the 10th Radio Squadron Mobile, which later became the 6950 Security Squadron. He was stationed at the Chicksands Priory Air Force Base near Shefford, Bedfordshire, England.

Jack worked for the Pepsi Cola Bottling Company for 30 years and retired in 1988 as Marketing Manager. After he retired he became a school bus driver for the Spencerville School System and also worked for the Thomas E. Bayliff Funeral Home.

He loved being around people and never knew a stranger. He enjoyed spending time with his four grandsons and rarely missed any of their sporting events. He was their greatest sports fan.

Jack loved the many family vacations that were taken and delighted in teaching his children and grandchildren to water ski. He also enjoyed going out and playing 18 holes of golf with his golfing buddies.

He was an active member of the Spencerville Garden Club and also liked puttering in his workshop.

Along with his wife Ann, Jack is survived by a son, Nicholas (Leslie) Huber of Lima, Ohio and twin daughters, Laura (Michael) Youngpeter of Spencerville, Ohio and Lisa Crites of Lima, Ohio. He has four grandsons: Trevor and Evan Crites of Columbus, Ohio, Matthew Youngpeter of Columbus, Ohio and Mitchell Youngpeter of Spencerville, Ohio. He also has two step grandsons, four step great granddaughters and one step great grandson. He is survived by a sister-in-law Maureen (Leo) D'Agnello of Harrold, Bedfordshire, England and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his two sisters LaDonna (Paul) Hotz and Jean (Alfred) Miller. A brother-in-law John W. Gayton is also deceased.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, December 24, 2015, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Spencerville with Fr. David Ross officiating. Burial will be in Spencerville Cemetery with military rites following the service. Rites will be conducted by the Spencerville Veterans.

Visitation for family and friends will be on Wednesday, December 23, 2015 from 2:00 - 8:00 pm at Thomas E. Bayliff Funeral Home, Spencerville, Ohio.

Memorial contributions may be made to the local Kidney Services of West Central Ohio, 750 West High Street, Suite 100, Lima.