Merle Showalter Duncan, 94, of Troutville, Va., went to be with her Lord on March 23, 2009. She was born on October 10, 1914, Troutville, Va. to Jonas Graybill and Lillian Paynter Showalter and was their last surviving child. She was a lifetime member of the Troutville Church of the Brethren. Merle was educated at Troutville High School. Although she loved Botetourt County, she loved to travel and meet new people. Merle always had a story or a good joke to tell. She was quite a business woman. Merle ran an egg business and in later years ran a greenhouse and produce farm. Many Roanokers have met Merle on the Roanoke City Market where she sold eggs, plants and produce. On March 15, 1967, Merle married Emmett Woodrow "Woodie" Duncan Sr., a widower with four children. All the children boasted that she was the best cook in Botetourt County, even though she started her cooking skills late in life. At the Graybill Reunion at Camp Bethel, Merle's green beans, fried chicken and banana pudding were the talk of the picnic. Woodie and Merle were a farming and greenhouse team. Her greatest joy was her husband, the garden, the bedding plants, baskets, flowers and being outdoors. Many said Merle was the hardest worker in the county and a well respected nursery woman.
On the Duncan side Merle is preceded in death by her husband, Emmett Woodrow "Woodie" Duncan Sr.; and her stepson, Emmett Woodrow Duncan Jr.
On the Showalter and Osborne side, Merle is preceded in death by her parents; brother, Fred (Poe) Showalter; and her sisters, Glenna Showalter, Virginia (Hal) Osborne and Kathryn (Frank) Battaglia.
On the Duncan side, Merle is survived by her stepdaughters, Carolyn Duncan Cecil, Barbara Duncan Piedmont and Lois Duncan (David) Russell; 11 stepgrandchildren; four stepgreat-grandchildren; and one stepgreat-great-grandchild.
On the Showalter and Osborne side, Merle is survived by her nephews, Gary (Carol) Osborne, of Daleville, David (Mary Ann) Osborne, of Fincastle, Frederic "Tex" Showalter, of Seattle, Wash., and Richard "Jim" (Judy) Showalter, of Troutville; many grand nephews, grand nieces, great-grand nephews and great-grand nieces; also many cousins and close friends.
The family will receive friends at Rader Funeral Home, in Daleville, Wednesday, March 25, 2009, from 5 to 8 p.m. A celebration of Merle's life will be held on Thursday, March 26, 2009, 10 a.m. at the Troutville Church of the Brethren with Pastor Chris Foster officiating. Interment will follow at Troutville Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Troutville Church of the Brethren, P.O. Box 156, Troutville, Va. 24175. Arrangements by Rader Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Daleville, Va.



Published in the Roanoke Times on 3/25/2009