Merril Leon Moore

Merril Leon Moore, 92, passed away at Our Hospice of South Central Indiana Inpatient Facility in Columbus, Indiana at 8:54 PM on Sunday, July 7, 2013. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Elma (Bright) Moore of Brown County, Indiana, a brother E. Keith Moore, and his beloved wife of 61 years, Louise (Crane) Moore. Merril was born in Brown County, Indiana on September 30, 1920. He grew up on a farm near State Roads 135 and 46 near Brown County State Park. Mr. Moore was a 1939 graduate of Nashville High School, co-captain of the basketball team, and enlisted in the Navy for WWII. During the war, he was a gunnery instructor, first at Great Lakes Naval Base, then in Seattle, Norman OK, eventually being transferred to San Diego. He attained the rank of Aviation Ordanceman First Class. Following his military service, he returned to Brown County, Indiana, and started dating Louise Crane. After several years of courtship, they were married in New Unionville, Indiana on November 22, 1950. He was the owner and operator of the Gnawbone Grocery, drove a huckster truck into the hills of Brown County, founded his own trucking business, ran a Texaco service station in Columbus, Indiana, became the parts manager for White River Truck stop, and then returned to over the road driving for Roberts Trucking, and Indiana Liquid Transport. For recreation during this time, he played and managed the Nashville Ramblers, a semi-professional baseball team in the South Central Indiana Amateur Baseball Association. Mr. and Mrs. Moore began spending winters in Fort Myers, Florida in the 1980s, leading to establishing a winter home there where he and Louise enjoyed the sunshine and various pursuits, including fishing and playing euchre. He is survived by brothers, Loren (Ruth) Moore of Nashville, Indiana, H. Ray (Janet) Moore of Cortland, Indiana, and a sister-in-law, Hester Ann Moore of Columbus, Indiana. Children include Tom (Connie) Moore of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Jerry (Kathy) Moore of Columbus, Indiana, and Judy (Troy) Hill of Westport, Indiana. Grandchildren include: Quixada (KiKi) Moore-Vissing and Christopher Moore-Vissing both of Chester, New Hampshire, Matt Moore of Columbus, Indiana, Tyler Hill of Reno, Nevada, and Justin Hill of Westport, Indiana. Mr. Moore is also survived by many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. The funeral service celebrating the life of Merril will be conducted at 11:00 AM Friday, July 12, 2013 at Myers-Reed Chapel at 3729-25th St. with Rev. Tom Rust officiating. Calling hours will be from 4:00-8:00 PM Thursday, July 11, 2013 and from 10:00 AM until the time of the service on Friday. Burial will be in the Garland Brook Cemetery. Online condolences to the family of Merril may be submitted at www.myers-reed.com. Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Merril to Mission Resource International or to Our Hospice of South Central Indiana, Inc. through the funeral home or by mailing to 2626 E. 17th St., Columbus, IN 47201.