Merle L. Simpson

January 12, 2011 Last Updated: January 12, 2011 03:01 PM Death Notice

Simpson

Merle L. “Jake” Simpson, 86, of Emlenton died at 8:12 p.m. Thursday at the Golden Living Center, Shippenville, following a lengthy illness.

Mr. Simpson was born in Pinegrove Township, Venango County, on Dec. 11, 1923. He was a son of Earnest and Minty Reedy Simpson.

Mr. Simpson was a member of the Sligo Presbyterian Church.

He enjoyed gardening, hiking, horseshoes, board games, crossword puzzles, bird-watching and bus trips.

He retired in 1985 from the Quaker State Corp. in Emlenton after 29 years.

He was married in St. Petersburg, Clarion County, on Nov. 17, 1949, to the former Maxine Dittman, who survives.

He also is survived by one son, James A. Simpson and his wife, Wendy, of Emlenton; a granddaughter, Amanda D. Simpson of Emlenton; five nephews, Robert Simpson of Garner, N.C., Walter Simpson of Emlenton, Roger Simpson of Manchs Corner, S.C., and Earnest Novak and Walter Novak, both of Polk; three nieces, Sandy Rhoads of Kennerdell, Karen Rutter of Newark, Ohio, and Peggy Sue Williams of Danville, Ohio; two brothers-in-law, Leonard Dittman and his wife, Bette, of Titusville, Walter Dittman and his wife, Janet, of Greenwich, Ohio; five sisters-in-law, Gertrude Cotherman of Emlenton, Opal Schotting of Lawrence, Shirley Smith of Fern, Mary Dittman of Knox and Donna Sheeley and her husband, James, of Pleasantville; as well as a number of other nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and cousins.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, two sisters and a number brothers and sisters-in-law.

SIMPSON — Friends of Merle L. “Jake” Simpson, who died Thursday, Dec. 9, 2010, will be received Sunday from noon until 2 p.m. in the Hile Funeral Home, 1204 Kerr Ave., Emlenton. Funeral services will be Sunday at 2 p.m. at the funeral home with the Rev. Stephanie Weaver, pastor of the Sligo Presbyterian Church, officiating. Interment will follow in Starr Cemetery, near Knox.Memorial contributions may be made to the Emlenton Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 371, Emlenton, PA 16373; the Emlenton Area Ambulance Service, P.O. Box 346, Emlenton, PA 16373; or the Clarion-Forest VNA Hospice, P.O. Box 668, Knox, PA 16232.Condolences may be sent by visiting www.hilefh.com.