Merle Wayne Reichart

Merle Wayne Reichart passed away on Feb. 21 at the age of 94.

He resided in Franklin, Pa. until 2008, when he relocated with his wife to Maryland.

Merle was born on Sept. 29, 1924, in Bruin, and graduated from Parker High School in 1942.

He joined the U.S. Marine Corps on Dec. 7, 1941, and was honorably discharged on March 22, 1946, as a sergeant.

Merle was deployed to the South Pacific during World War II, and engaged in the taking of Guadalcanal and Wake Island.

He suffered an injury to his arm and underwent an extensive repair to that arm. Despite the severity of the injury, he continued to use his arm and suffered two more injuries to the same arm. He was unwilling to allow that to keep him from fully functioning throughout his life.

Merle was awarded the Good Conduct Medal for service from 1942 until 1945, the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal and the Victory Medal World War II.

During his military service, Merle married Frances Reichart on July 7, 1945, at St. Paul's United Church of Christ in Sugarcreek Township, where they were members.

Upon discharge from the military, Merle worked at Koppers Corporation in Petrolia, from 1946 to 1968. In 1968, Merle began his employment with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, where he gave drivers' examinations in Erie, Warren, Meadville, Cochranton, Oil City and Rock Grove, retiring from that employment in 1986.

After retirement, Merle and Fran traveled extensively, including trips to Europe, Mexico and throughout the United States. They vacationed for many years in St. Pete Beach, Fla., during the winter months.

Merle enjoyed walks, where he used his metal detector along the beach and later kept his mind active putting puzzles together.

The health care providers caring for Merle were amazed that no matter what happened, he would not complain about pain and would do whatever was necessary to recover.

Merle forced himself to keep his mind alert and active, reminding family and friends of specific information they had sometimes forgotten, and always struggling to put puzzles together, even when he did not feel well.

Merle and Fran were married 65 years when Fran preceded him in death on July 31, 2010.

Merle also was preceded in death by his two brothers, George Reichart and Robert Reichart.

Merle had two daughters and his oldest daughter, Murial Ann Frontino, preceded him in death.

He is survived by his daughter, Marie S. Palmquist, with whom he resided after 2008, and before the onset of his most recent health problems. He took great pride in assisting her in her law office on weekends.

Merle also is survived by three grandchildren, Frederick W. Palmquist, Richard Frontino and Amy Lavo; and four great-grandchildren, Katelyn Frontino, Nichole Frontino, Brandon Lavo and Abigail Lavo.

REICHART — The ashes of Merle Wayne Reichart, who died Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019, will be interred at Oak Grove Cemetery, Sugarcreek Township, Armstrong County, without viewing.