Merle J. Gray
Merle J. Gray, 86, of Valencia, formerly of Butler Township, passed away Tuesday evening at UPMC Passavant Hospital in McCandless Township.
Born on Feb. 24, 1927, in West Deer Township, Pa., he was the son of the late Paul B. and Bertha Campbell Gray.
Merle was an owner and operator in the trucking industry and was a member and officer of the Butler County Chapter of the Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association.
He was a member of the Glade Run Presbyterian Church for 73 years, serving as a longtime trustee and Sunday school teacher. He lovingly cared for his church's flowers for 37 years.
Merle served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II.
His family was his first love. He was the loving husband of 67 years of Betty Meinert Gray, who he married on Oct. 13, 1945, father of David (Diane) Gray of Carlisle, Bob (Bonnie) Gray of Renfrew, Tom (Mary Lou) Gray of Renfrew and Barbara (Charles) Giltenboth of Butler; proud grandfather of Kimberly Martin, Matthew Gray, Allen Gray, Michelle Kozik, Bradley Gray, Sandra Zivkovitch, Bethann Carter and Charlie Giltenboth, and 16 great-grandchildren.
One of 12 children, Mr. Gray is survived by two brothers, Stanley Gray (Catherine) of Ellijay, Ga., and Lawrence Gray (Carol) of Melbourne, Fla.
He was preceded in death by his brothers, Barton and Norman Gray, and his sisters, Ruth Pearce, Edna Gray, Sara Choura, Lois Nicklas, Mary Duggan and Harriet Argentah.
GRAY — Friends of Merle J. Gray, who passed away Tuesday, July 23, 2013, are invited to a memorial service in the Glade Run Presbyterian Church, 1091 Pittsburgh Road, Valencia, at 11 a.m. Saturday with the Rev. Greg Wiest, pastor, officiating. The family will greet friends following the service at the church.Memorials may be made to the Glade Run Presbyterian Church or to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 960 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15222.Arrangements are under the direction of the McDonald-Aeberli Funeral Home, 238 Crowe Ave., Mars.The condolences are available at www.mcdonald-aeberli.com.
