From New Castle News
Former Shenango Township resident Merle L. Reed, 82, died May 27, 2016, at the West Hills Health and Rehab Center in Coraopolis, PA.
Born in New Castle on Aug. 20, 1933, Merle was a son of the late William and Myrtle Ziegler Reed.
Preceding him in death on Aug. 23, 1999, was his wife of more than 54 years, the former Sarah Wellhausen, whom he married on Oct. 14, 1961.
Merle was a veteran of the Korean War, serving with the Army.
He retired from Penn Tex Corp., where he worked as a crane operator.
Merle was a basketball official for more than 40 years and coached the Shenango girls softball team from 1976 to 2013.
He is survived by his daughter, Tracey Paul and her husband, Ron, of Moon Township; his brother, Don Reed of Hermitage; his sister, Myrtle Mariacher of New Castle; and his two grandchildren, Taylor and Elsie.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers and seven sisters.
Merle was the 365th classmate to walk down the aisle at graduation. After his name in the Yearbook, it reads: Basketball 10-11-12, Track 10-11-12.
Merle L. Reed
1933-2016
