Gayle E. Merrill, 97, of Cambridge City passed away on Saturday, September 10, 2022 at Forest Park in Richmond. He was born on September 1, 1925 in Bentonville to Thomas and Irene (Stelle) Merrill. Gayle lived in the Bentonville Community for 82 years, before moving to Cambridge City in 2007. He graduated from Bentonville H.S. in 1943, attended Purdue Contractor Courses and Business management night school. On April 13, 1947 he married Alta Adams and they enjoyed 55 years together before she passed away on January 18, 2003.
Gayle led an active life, he farmed for 19 years, worked at Peoples Bank for 2 years, was a salesman for Smiley Buildings for 3 years and then managed Gold Seal Buildings in Muncie. In 1974 he used those experiences and incorporated GEM Buildings with an office in Bentonville. He was awarded Building of the Year in 1977 & 1978 with National Recognition and was named to “Builder Hall of Fame in 1986. He was a private pilot and boating enthusiast for many years having owned a home on Jimmerson Lake for 60 years.
Gayle belonged to Milton Lodge #108 F & AM for 75 years, Scottish Rite Valley of Indianapolis for 66 years, Murat Shrine for 41 years, Hagerstown Chapter 196 Eastern Star and was a former York Rite member. He served as Past Master and Secretary of Milton Lodge, as a Masonic Home Board Member 1960-61 and in the Grand Lodge Education for 12 years. He was a member of Central Christian Church in Connersville and attended Milton Christian Church.
Survivors include his companion, Katheryn Rogan-Dickey, niece & nephews, Curtis Adams, Patricia Adams Pickering, Elliott Randolph Adams and Keith E. Merrill and his sister-in-law, Ruth Merrill.
Friends may call from 5 to 7 pm on Thursday September 15, 2022 with a Masonic service at 7 pm and from 9:30 am until the start of the funeral service at 10 am on Friday September 16, 2022 at Waskom Capitol Hill Chapel. Burial will follow in the Merrill family plot at Dale Cemetery in Connersville.
Online condolences may be made at www.waskoms.com