Merritt E. Wagoner, 89, Gas City, passed away in his home on Friday, March 25, 2022. He was born in Marion, Indiana, on Tuesday, April 19, 1932, to Leslie and Emma (Wolff) Wagoner. On October 1, 1976 he married Mary Jane Carlisle, and she survives.

Merritt graduated from North Webster and attended International Business College.

He was a member of New Hope Baptist Church, the American Legion, and Disabled American Veterans. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict from November 1952 to October 1954. He went into the building business with his two brothers when he returned from service. He built new homes in Ohio, Goshen, and south to Gas City. He built a factory at Wolf Lake, and a strip-mall shopping area in North Webster. He worked to restore the original depot building when it was returned to Upland. The last home he built was his own in Gas City when he was 65 years old. He loved being a door greeter at church and working the concession stand at Upward basketball. He loved animals and his companion, Buddy, was at his side at all times.

Along with his wife, survivors also include his daughters, Cara Lynn Pinnick of Fort Wayne, Tami Sue Wagoner of Upland, Debra Layne (Ronald) Bunt of Fort Wayne, Lisa Reid of Marion; son, Barry (Nicole) Wagoner of Indianapolis; 10 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Leslie H. and Emma Z. Wagoner; brothers, Burr Wagoner, Audrey Wagoner, William Wagoner, Mervin Wagoner, Donald Wagoner; sisters, Elsie Harris, Martha Burnworth, Letha Werstler, Mary Burns; son, Vance Wagoner; and granddaughter, Brooke Wagoner.

A service to celebrate Merritt's life was held on Thursday, March 31, 2022, at New Hope Baptist Church, 800 E. S. C St., Gas City, IN., with Pastor Curtis Rhoadarmer and Pastor Mick Simpkins officiating. Burial was made at Riverside Cemetery.