John H. Merhoff

John H. Merhoff, 89, of Shelbyville passed away Tuesday, January 27, 2009, at Major Hospital. Born September 20, 1919, in Louisville, Ky., he was the son of Henry H. and Edyth F. (Fegenbush) Merhoff. He married Wanda M. Cochran on September 25, 1943, and she preceded him in death on September 19, 2008. Survivors include his daughters, Lynn (husband, Michael) Wheeler of Shelbyville and Mo Merhoff (husband, Paul Reis) of Carmel; granddaughters, Celia Wheeler (husband, Jason) Stephens of New Palestine and Emily Wheeler (husband, Chris) Lefebver and Indianapolis; and great-grandchildren, Eli, Ian, Aidan, Brody, John "Jack" and Alex. He also was preceded in death by his parents. Mr. Merhoff lived in Shelbyville since 1984. He previously lived in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. He retired in 1984 as plant manager from The Border Co., where he had been employed at since 1950. Mr. Merhoff was a U.S.Army veteran of World War II, serving in Great Britain and France in a bacteriology lab. He graduated from DuPont Manuel High School in Louisville and in 1941 from Purdue University. Mr. Merhoff was a member of First Presbyterian Church, BPO Elks, Fond du Lac Masonic Lodge; and lifetime member of Purdue Alumni Association and Purdue Agriculture Alumni Association. He loved horses. He was a Master Gardner and Chocolatier and an avid grower of red raspberries. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday at First Presbyterian Church, 124 W. Broadway St. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at the church, with Pastor Mark Morningstar officiating. Interment will be in Justus Cemetery in Oxford. Services were entrusted to Freeman Family Funeral Homes, Carmony-Ewing Harrison Street Chapel, 819 S. Harrison St. Memorial contributions may be made to Shelby County Purdue Booster Club Fund, in care of Blue River Community Foundation, 54 W. Broadway St., Suite 1, Shelbyville, IN 46176; or First Presbyterian Church, 124 W. Broadway St., Shelbyville, IN 46176.