Merle Franklin Uhrick , 87, of rural Columbia City, passed away at 3:06 p.m. Saturday, December 21, 2024, at Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne.

Born on June 11, 1937, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, he was a son of the late Ira F. and Opal (McAbee) Uhrick.  Growing up in Fort Wayne, he completed his schooling and became a career-long truck driver.

On September 20, 1958, he married Helen May Nichelson.  They made their home in Fort Wayne, raising two children.  Helen died on September 6, 1994.  On March 8, 2013, he married Anita Marie Wherry.  They have always made their home in rural Columbia City.

For many years, Merle owned and operated Uhrick's Disposal in Fort Wayne, a private refuse hauling company.  He also owned a convenience store in northwest central Fort Wayne.  He completed his driving career driving dump trucks for Fort Wayne-based sand and gravel companies.

Merle enjoyed fishing in his private pond and occasionally ventured to the area's lakes.  He liked maintaining his property by mowing the grass and keeping it in good order.  In his senior years, he liked to watch the birds, especially the hummingbirds that would frequent his feeders.

Surviving is his wife, Anita; his children, George (Emilie) Uhrick and Loretta L. (Mike Brandt) Gibson, both of Fort Wayne; stepchildren, Jesse Singleton and Jason Singleton, both of Columbia City; grandchildren, Chad Rolli, Thomas Gibson, Roger Rose, April Hadley, Tracy West, George Uhrick, Jr.; and nine great-grandchildren.

The last of his generation, Merle was preceded in death by brothers, Gale, Jack, Gene, Chance and Earl Uhrick and sisters, Lucille Hardy, Charolotte Berger, Florence Story and Ruth Hadley.

The funeral service is at 2 p.m. Saturday (Dec 28th) at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City.  Burial is at the Nolt Cemetery.  Visitation is from noon until the service Saturday at the funeral home.

Memorials in Merle's honor are to Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana.