Carl Elmer Merris Jr.

Taylor Road

Columbus, Indiana

Carl E. Merris passed away Monday, March 22, 2010, at Hospice of South Central Indiana I n p a t i e n t Facility. He was 85.

Carl was born March 22, 1925, in Albany, NY, to Carl E. Merris Sr. and Grace Murphy Merris. He married Muriel Post in Northampton, Massachusetts, on October 11, 1952. She survives.

Carl grew up in Philadelphia and was drafted into the U.S. Army at the height of World War II in 1943. He was a Private First Class with the 3rd Infantry, 7th Regiment and participated in the invasion at Anzio as well as serving in Germany. He received two Purple Hearts for wounds received while serving his country during that time and was honorably discharged at war’s end in 1945.

Upon returning home, Carl attended Drexel Institute of Technology and graduated from Springfield College in Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1952. It was during this time that he met his future wife Muriel. They began their married life in Philadelphia and had two children, David and Cynthia.

They moved to Columbus in 1967 and Carl went to work for Cummins Inc. as a Safety and Environmental Engineer. After retirement, Carl stayed busy doing consulting work for Cummins as well as other area manufacturers. He also worked for Dunn & Associates.

Carl was particularly proud of his work teaching Smoke Stoppers classes at Columbus Regional Hospital.

A former jazz band drummer and lifelong Big Band music lover, he enjoyed singing with the Columbus Chordlighters barbershop chorus as well as serving as Song Leader for the Golden K Kiwanis. He enjoyed traveling, music, history, small batch bourbon and, most particularly, spending time with his wife, children, grandchildren and friends.

Carl is survived by his wife of 57 years, Muriel; his son David and daughter-in-law Janice; daughter Cindy Merris-Smith and son-in-law Patrick Smith; granddaughters, Ali Merris, Chiara Smith and Maureen Smith; grandson, Andrew Merris; nephews, Carl (Karen) Hinchey and John (Edith) Hinchey; nieces, Barbara (Rodney) Cook and Debbie McCourqdale; and a sister, Nancy Hagood.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Julia Hinchey.

Calling will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday and one hour prior to services on Friday at Myers-Reed Chapel on 25th Street. A memorial service will be held on Friday at 1:30 p.m. with the Rev. Sharon Williams Hanrattie officiating.

In keeping with Carl’s wishes, cremation is planned with inurnment at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of South Central Indiana or Turning Point. Online condolences may be sent to the family through www.myers-reed.com.