Merle Sarber

After 87 years, four troublesome children, 11 wonderful grandchildren, time in the Navy, and a lifetime in Bremen, Indiana, Merle Sarber gracefully gave up the ghost. He had battled the rapacious disease of esophageal cancer as far as he possibly could. On July 28th, 2022 at approximately 8:45 AM, after a valiant effort, Merle gave in. He was a great man. Perhaps the last of a gentleman generation. Merle always carried himself with modest tact and the demeanor of a saint. He married Carolyn Hite on January 18, 1958. Taking Carolyn away from her rural farm life in Ohio, they immediately moved to Honolulu, Hawaii because Merle was in the Navy. Carolyn pursued her nursing career. Their first child, Merlyn, was born in Hawaii in 1959. After his term in the Navy, Merle moved his family to northern Indiana to homestead. Merle worked odd jobs before landing a career in the ag business. Merle farmed and sold vacuum cleaners, which he hated. He hated the idea that people were, “borrowing money for machines they couldn’t afford.” He managed the Wilson Agri business for decades in Bremen. Merle was a friend to the local farmer and 4H families, as well as staff. He was active in the Bremen Lions Club. Merle and Carolyn were active members of the Tippecanoe Primitive Baptist church in Bourbon, Indiana. They helped clean the church, attended regularly, and served at the business meetings. Merle is preceded in death by his beautiful wife Carolyn Sarber, brother Glenn Sarber and his wife Pat, brother-in-law Dick Culy, and step-grandson Zach Moore. Surviving Merle are Merlyn (Sarber) Pitney and husband Nolan who are nomads, Bruce Sarber and wife Shari in North Carolina, Keith Sarber and wife Sharon in Indiana, Gail (Sarber) Brannon and husband Rick in Virginia. Additionally, Merle is survived by a brother Leon Sarber, wife Loretta and a sister Martha Culy. Merle was a friend and father figure to so many. Merle first moved the family to High Road in Bremen in 1971. On High Road, Merle fought groundhogs, horses, a bobtail cat, a dog named Chuck and some skeezy boyfriends. In the early 1980’s, Merle moved his family to the other side of the tracks where they built a home on Fir Road. There Merle fought to keep pedigreed dogs alive, survive a recession, manage an acre of garden, three teenagers at once, and gas prices. One of Merle’s great joys were his grandchildren. He loved his grandchildren. The list includes: Sarah Beth Pitney and partner Liz, Christie Pitney and partner Brad, Elizabeth (Brannon) Wing and husband Karl, Isaac Sarber, Rachel (Sarber) Fritschi and husband Michael, Katelyn (Sarber) Johns and husband William, Riley Brannon, Christian Sarber, Sarah (Brannon) Walker and husband Cameron, and Samantha Sarber. Over the last several years Merle shared a home with his grandson Isaac Sarber. Isaac’s sister Rachel and her husband Michael had just gifted Merle his first great grandson, Graham Merle. Graham always sparked a smile on Merle’s face. He taught his children to vote, “be grateful, respect great leaders, and obey the law.” It didn’t always sink in. Merle rode bulls, fooled the Bourbon Police, loved airplanes and travel. He made sure his family understood the joy of traveling and learning about the United States by visiting many national treasures. Family vacations included the Grand Canyon, Hawaii, California, Alaska, Massachusetts, and many other destinations. He enjoyed golfing at Sprig-O-Mint and even worked there after retiring from the grain elevator. Merle and Carolyn finally settled at Grandview South in a condominium where they lived for more than 30 years. Merle was president of the condo association. He enjoyed coffee with his friends Neil Montague and Paul Filpus either at McDonald’s or the hospital. In the later stages of cancer when Merle couldn’t play golf or ride bulls anymore, he liked to watch golf (and basketball) on tv. He enjoyed reading westerns (although they all started to sound the same) and Amish romance (who knew such a thing existed). He will be greatly missed. Family and friends are invited to Merle’s Celebration of Life at Saint Isadore Hall, 803 W. Bike St., Bremen on August 13, 2022 beginning at 1:00 pm, and meal following at 3:00 pm. According to Merle’s wishes there will be no funeral or graveside service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Merle’s name may be made to St. Isadore Hall or Tippecanoe Primitive Baptist Church, 9987 Gumwood Rd., Bourbon, IN 46504.