Merle Leroy Welling, 70

SALEM – Merle Leroy Welling, 70, of 291 N. Madison Ave., died at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday at his home, with his family at his side, after a courageous battle with cancer.
He was born Oct. 2, 1936 in Lisbon, the son of the late Merle Paul and Ethel Rebecca (Stockman) Welling.
He was a 50-year member of the Plumbers & Steamfitters Local 396, retiring Oct. 2, 1998.
Merle had worked as a plumber for Ellyson Plumbing & Heating for 23 years. He attended McKinley Heights School, Salem High School and the First Friends church in Salem. Merle was an avid NASCAR fan, a stock car driver and enjoyed working on cars. He also enjoyed gardening and spending the winters in Florida.
He is survived by his wife, Marjorie Lou (Leyman) Welling, whom he married June 27, 1953 by Wade Loop, Justice Of The Peace; four daughters, Bobbie (Larry) Callahan of Uniontown and Vickie (Les) Bricker, Sue (Don) Shuman and Jan (Greg) Toothman, all of Salem; a brother, Russell Welling of Salem; 10 grandchildren, Jordan Callahan, Stacy (Bricker) Callahan, Jason Bricker, Chelsie Shuman, Don Shuman, Chantel Shuman, Ashley Welling, Brittany Toothman, Brandon Toothman and Emily Toothman; a great-grandchild, David Alexander Mathes; and several nieces and nephews.
Also preceding him in death were a son, Ken Welling; a brother, James William Lutton; two grandchildren, Greg Hodge and Lantz Bricker; and a great-granddaughter, Ella Ann Callahan.
Services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Stark Memorial Funeral Home, with Rev. Mark Headland officiating.
Burial will be at Highland Memorial Park in Beloit.
Calling hours will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 525 N. Broad St., Canfield, OH 44406.