

Louis Frank Meren, beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, brother and friend, peacefully left this world on April 27, 2026. Lou was born on March 17, 1931, in West Wyoming, Pennsylvania. He lived an exemplary life, marked by generosity, gentle mentoring, love, humor and an all-consuming desire to keep learning.Born the son of Frank and Brunetta (née Conti) Meren, both immigrants, he learned from his earliest days the value of education, hard work, respect and kindness. He joined the Navy after graduating from high school at 17 and was proudly serving as an Electrician's Mate when the Korean war broke out. Upon returning home, he used the GI Bill and a work study program to attend the University of Scranton and then the University of Detroit to study Electrical Engineering. He graduated in May of 1957 and immediately started working at Westinghouse Electric Corporation, married his childhood sweetheart Nancy on June 22, 1957, moved to Maryland, and raised a family.Lou worked at Westinghouse Electric Corporation until he retired as an executive in 1994 after an amazing career. His decision to retire and selflessly care for Nancy until she passed in 2010 was just one of many he made throughout his life to support the wide circle of life and family they created. He continued learning, thinking and innovating, always looking to help solve any issues brought to him.He loved to talk with anyone about their passions, concerns and joys. He was an inveterate collector, and his vast knowledge of and love for stamps, coins, baseball cards, travel and Lladros translated into large but (thankfully!) very well-organized collections that he enjoyed immensely. He always said he was fortunate to have traveled the world throughout his career and was very proud to take Nancy and later his family along whenever possible. His last international trip, with his family, was to Sardinia when he was 87. He was thrilled to visit and explore the island, walk the town where his father was born and experience the warmth of several generations of relatives still living on that beautiful island. He loved sports, especially if one of his grandchildren was playing. He was a long-suffering Orioles fan and a diehard Ravens fan. He proudly visited each of his grandchildren at college in four different states and two different countries when they studied abroad.
In keeping with his deep faith and belief in the power of a Jesuit education, Lou's life exemplified his heart for service. He never spoke of what he did, and an incredible number of people throughout his life benefitted from his generous, humble and gentle spirit. He selflessly gave of his time, his resources and his love and was a life-long supporter of many organizations that served those in need. More than anything, he always put his family and friends ahead of himself. He looked for the good in people and treated everyone with genuine respect and kindness. His children and grandchildren learned many invaluable lessons through the example he set to always try and do the right thing, to act kindly and to be there for others. He was also always ready with a pertinent joke or story (he had a real gift for telling both). Making people laugh made him incredibly happy.
His beloved wife Ann "Nancy" (née Conway) predeceased him in 2010 and has been waiting, no doubt impatiently, to be reunited. His parents and his sister Irene also passed on before him and await his return to them. He is survived by his sister Joanne Taras (Steve), his daughter Eileen Bittner, his son-in law Kevin Bittner, his daughter Kerry Meren, his son-in-law Paul Freedman, his grandchildren Gillian Freedman, Emmett Freedman (Anne), Patrick Bittner (Samantha), Shannon Bittner (Jarrett), his great-grandchildren Peter and Eleanor Freedman, many loving nephews, nieces, great nephews and nieces and great-great nephews and nieces, as well as other dear family and friends. His life served as a shining example of the power of good, the need for kindness, resilience and compassion, the importance of service to others and the true value of a life well lived.
Visitation will be held at Sterling Ashton Schwab Witzke Funeral Home of Catonsville, 1630 Edmondson Ave, Catonsville, MD 21228, US, on May 3, 2026, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
Visitation will also be held at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church, 711 Maiden Choice Ln, Catonsville, MD 21228, US, on May 4, 2026, from 10:30 am to 11:00 am.
A Funeral Service will be held at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church, 711 Maiden Choice Lane., Catonsville, MD 21228, US, on May 4, 2026, from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm.
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