RANDOLPH - Merle O. Prince, 81, of the Lutheran Home & Rehab Center, formerly of Kirk Road, Randolph, passed away Sunday (Dec. 16, 2012), in the Center.
He was born June 17, 1931, in Cattaraugus, N.Y., the son of the late Lee B. Prince and Ila Olmstead Prince.
Merle attended Pine Valley High School. A veteran of the U.S. Army, he served during the Kore-an War era, from April 23, 1952, to Feb. 27, 1959. He was the head mechanic for Beaver Dairy Farm in Randolph, where he worked and lived for 42 years, retiring in 2008. In earlier years he worked for the Conewango-Leon Milk Plant.
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He enjoyed music and was known as a very accomplished fiddler and played the mandolin, guitar and was a great yodeler. A man of character, he taught his children the difference between right and wrong, taking pride in their farm and themselves and teaching his children all how to drive.
He is survived by a son, Dale (Judy Benson) Prince of Sinclairville; two daughters: Susan Buck and her husband, Gary, of Key West, Fla., and Gail (Doug Fox) Williams of Rocky Mount, N.C.: five grandchildren: Brittany Mosier with whom he shared a birthday, Lakin Gajewski, Landon Williams, Lane Williams and Alisha Prince; and two sisters: Shirley Haynes of Leon, N.Y., and Louise Pitts of Gerry, N.Y.
He was preceded by his wife of 55 years, Beverly A. Delahoy Prince, whom he marred Nov. 1, 1956, in Levant, and who passed away on Sept. 15, 2012; an infant son, Merle Prince Jr.; and a brother, Merton Prince.
The family will receive friends from 4-7 p.m Thurs-day (Dec. 20, 2012), in the VanRensselaer & Son Funeral Home, 14 Church St., Randolph, where funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday. The Rev. Kenneth Pratt, pastor of the Cherry Creek Assembly of God Church, will officiate. Burial will be in the Valley View Cemetery in Elling-ton. To leave a condolence, log onto www. vanrensselaer and sonfun-eralhome. com.
In lieu of flowers the family request memorials be sent to Hospice of Chau-tauqua County, 20 W. Fair-mont Ave., Lakewood, NY 14750.
