Merton Bruce Sharples

Name: Merton Bruce Sharples

Calling Hours:

Service Hours: Saturday, March 14, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. at Weigel Funeral Home in Swanton

Merton Bruce Sharples, age 81, of Swanton, Ohio, passed away Monday morning, March 2, 2009 in his home. He was born July 24, 1927 in Swanton, Ohio to Oshea LeClair and Bernice May (Barnes) Sharples. Bruce was a United States Navy WWII veteran who served aboard the USS Missoula and USS Mogoffin in the Alantic. He married Dorothea Thornton on July 24, 1973.

Bruce is survived by his loving wife of 35 years, Dorothea; children, Dave (Kathy) Sharples, Les “Burr” Sharples, Dennis (Roberta) Sharples, Mary (Roger) Minnich, Carol Stultz, Tempy (Jed) Mignano and Les (Elaine) Thornton; grandchildren, Nicole (GySgt Russell) Blanchong, Kimberly (Troy) Vandenbusche, SSgt Anthony (Andrea) Sharples, Jayme, Troy and Kelsey Sharples, Kelly, Ben and Casey (Christine) Sharples, Zack and Mark Minnich, Brian (Carys) Stultz, Carie (Jay) Clark, Michelle, Stephen, and Hanna Mignano, and Chris, Emily and Connor Thornton, great-grandchildren, Ella, Alex, and Logan Blanchong, Shelby and Jackson Vandenbusche, Averie Stultz, Chloe Sharples, and SkyAnn Sharples. Also surviving are sister, Joyce Smellie; and sisters-in-law, Veryl Sharples, Margie Sharples and Constance (Frank) Dinsmore.

Bruce worked in the construction trade as a general contractor for Thornton/Sharples and Fulton Lumber as a building contractor. After retirement, he and his wife, Dorothea, enjoyed boating and sailing all over Lake Erie. They especially loved traveling in their Airstream (3430) throughout the United States, Mexico, Canada and Alaska. Bruce also loved to fly airplanes with his son, Les Thornton. He was a member of Spencer Union Church which his parents helped to build on land that the family donated.

Bruce was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Margie Marie (Borck) Sharples and brothers, Ross and Jerry Sharples.

Bruce donated his body to The University of Toledo Medical Center for anatomical research.

A memorial service celebrating Bruce’s life will be held Saturday, March 14, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. at Weigel Funeral Home in Swanton. All are welcome. Please come and enjoy this celebration with our family.

Interment at Sharples Cemetery will be held at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Kidney Foundation or American Heart Association.

Residence: Swanton, Ohio

Interment: Sharples Cemetery