ANSON – Merle Lyndon Waugh, 90, passed away Aug. 8, 2011, surrounded by his family in Waterville. He was born in Starks, the son of Hannibal and Gertrude (Baker) Waugh.
He attended Red School House, Starks. Merle married Marjorie Anne Viles Dec. 4, 1948. She predeceased him June 3, 1996. Merle went to work in Bangor as an apprentice in an auto body shop. He was drafted into the Army, serving in World War II from December 1942 to November 1945. He served in the northern part of Europe. After working briefly at People’s Garage, Merle opened Waugh’s Auto Body Shop, Madison, in June 1947. Even after almost 60 years of auto body work, he continued to go to the shop, where friends could find him, usually with his hat on and a toothpick in his mouth, sitting at his desk in his office. There was always an extra chair for visitors! Merle enjoyed deer hunting and fishing. He talked often of going on fishing trips to Lake Moxie with his good friend, John Longley. He was an avid Red Sox fan, who enjoyed watching the games on TV. In 1989 he enjoyed a Father’s Day trip to Fenway Park.
Merle was predeceased by his parents; his wife; his brother, Roy “Buster”; and his sister and her husband, Ellen and Robert Cushing. He is survived by his four children, David L. Waugh and his wife, Rita, of Syracuse, N.Y., Mary W. Luce and her husband, Gary, of Anson, Daniel W. Waugh of Anson and Judith A. Waugh of Skowhegan; seven grandchildren, James, John and Jackye Waugh of Syracuse, N.Y., Benjamin Luce of Portland, Elizabeth Luce of Westbrook, Matthew and Abigail Dolan of Skowhegan; sister-in-law, Jeanette Waugh, of Madison; several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Friends and family are invited to visit 6-9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 12, at Giberson Funeral Home, 40 Maple St., Madison. A graveside service will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13, at Athearn Cemetery, Anson. After the service there will be a gathering of family and friends at the home of Gary and Mary Luce, 212 Main St., Anson. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Merle’s memory to the no-kill animal shelter and refuge, Charley’s Strays, Inc., P.O. Box 64, Limestone, ME 04750. For more information, please visit
www.charleysstrays.org.