Merle W. "Blackie" Black, 88, of Valencia, Middlesex Township, died Wednesday.

Born Aug. 15, 1921, in Gibsonia, he was a son of the late Lawrence and Hazel (Wood) Black.

He was the beloved husband for 65 years of Jane (Kingsborough) Black, who he married Oct. 13, 1944. In addition, he is survived by one brother, one niece and five nephews.

Merle was the proud son of a coal miner and a World World II veteran.

<B>BLACK</B> — Friends of Merle W. "Blackie" Black, who died Wednesday, July 14, 2010, are welcome from 1 to 3 and 6 to 8 p.m. today at the <B>Schellhaas Funeral Home</B>, Bakerstown, 724-443-1505. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Deer Creek United Presbyterian Church, Bairdford. Everyone, please meet at the church. Interment will follow in Deer Creek United Presbyterian Church Cemetery.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the VNA Inpatient Hospice, 154 Hindman Road, Butler, PA 16001.Please leave a personal tribute at www.schellhaasfh.com in memory of Merle.