Merle W. Oliver

Merle Wayne Oliver, of Charlotte, formerly of Eaton Rapids,  passed away September 29, 2021, at the age of 94. Merle was born in West Liberty, Ill., June 28, 1927, the son of Harold and Fannie (Buchanan) Oliver. At the age 17, he enlisted in the US Navy where he would proudly served during WWII for six years. After retiring from the Navy, he went on to enlist with the Army National Guard in Lansing as a Supply Sergeant where he worked for 21 years before retiring. Merle was also a school bus driver in Eaton Rapids, a hobby farmer, and a member of the First United Methodist Church in Eaton Rapids. He enjoyed playing golf, square dancing, watching horse races and was a huge Michigan fan.
Merle is survived by his wife of 73 years, Barbara Oliver; son, Gary (Yolanda) Oliver of DeWitt; daughters, Sue Oliver of Eaton Rapids and Sheryl Oliver of Eaton Rapids; grandchildren, Eric Cervantes, Stacy (Travis) Lemon, Jayme (Jesse) Lawton, Angela Oliver, Robert (Mary) Oliver, Meagan (Randy) McLouth, Sara (Jeremy) Latham, Joshua (Rebecca) Oliver; 11 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; sister-in-law, Carol Oliver; brother-in-law, Jim Aldrich. He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Sunie Oliver; siblings, Ted Oliver, Marian Jessup, Betty Dunevant, Ellen “Cricket” Aldrich.
Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday October 9, 2021, at the First United Methodist Church, 600 S. Main St., Eaton Rapids, Mich. A light reception will follow the service. Memorial contributions may be made to the church.  Arrangements were entrusted to the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids. To leave online condolences for the family, please visit their website, millsfuneral.com.