MAPLETON – Merle C. Hughes, 80, died peacefully May 8, 2008, with his family by his side at a local hospital. Merle was born July 7, 1927, in Mapleton, the son of Lorestin and Dora (Wyman) Hughes. He attended Mapleton schools and served in the U.S. Navy from 1944 to 1947. After being discharged from the Navy, he graduated from Aroostook School of Commerce, Presque Isle. He worked as a bookkeeper for a few years, then was employed by Maine Public Service Co., for 33 years. Merle loved fishing, softball, bowling, horse racing, golf and baseball. He also loved his grandchildren and great-grandchildren a lot. He was a member of United Methodist Church, Mapleton. He served on and chaired many of the committees of the church. He also loved helping with community luncheons on Fridays. Merle was a member of Knights of Pythias fraternal lodge, Mapleton, working through all the offices of the local and state lodges. He was a supreme representative and attended Supreme Lodge Conventions in Boston and Las Vegas. He was a member of Colonel Brewer Lodge, Brewer. Merle married Barbara Grendell in 1948 and they have three children, Darla Anderson, Vicki Kinney and her husband, Ray, and Scott Hughes and his wife, Fonda, all of Mapleton; three grandchildren, Mathew Patterson, Mia Akeley and her husband, Adam, and Nicolas Hughes; two stepgrandchildren, Brooke and Ryan Sperrey; two great-grandsons, Gavin and Logan Akeley; one great-stepgrandchild, Hunter Clark; a brother, Carl and his wife, Lillian, of Florida; a sister-in-law, Jean Condon of Alabama; a brother-in-law, Ron Grendell and his wife, Viv, of Nashville, Tenn.; a sister-in-law, Gertie Oaks of Presque Isle; as well as several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by four sisters, two brothers, a sister-in-law and her husband; and a granddaughter, Amy Marie Hughes. A memorial service will be conducted 1 p.m. Thursday, May 15, at Mapleton United Methodist Church with the Rev. Dot Matson officiating. Relatives and friends may call noon until the time of the service at the church. Refreshments and fellowship will be immediately after in the dining room of the church. Interment will be at Worth Grendell Cemetery, Chapman. Those who wish may make gifts in his memory to United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 190, Mapleton, ME 04757. Arrangements are in the care of Duncan-Graves Funeral Home, Presque Isle. Condolences may be made at www.duncan-graves.com.