Merle Gayman

MERLE LEROY GAYMAN, 97, of Carlisle, PA, passed away on May 13, 2025, at Thornwald Home of Carlisle.

Merle was born at home in Bloserville, PA, on August 31, 1927, the son of the late Edward Z. Gayman and Mary (Smith) Gayman of Bloserville, PA. Merle attended a one room school house in Bloserville to 8th grade. He then worked on the family farm, which lead to the devoted work ethic that he maintained throughout his life. In 1945 at the age of 18, he was drafted into the Army to support the efforts of WWII. After basic training he served in the Pacific theater in Okinawa, Japan from 1945 to1946. He enjoyed sharing his war time stories with his grandchildren.

Upon his discharge from the service, he was employed by Ralph Piper Auto Parts. He later worked with Floyd Blosser drilling water wells, and eventually took over the business, which he ran for 32 years as Merle L. Gayman Well Drilling.

Merle was a member of Carlisle United Methodist Church for many years. He was an avid sportsman, who enjoyed hunting and fishing in Pennsylvania, fishing trips to Canada, a hunting trip in Alaska, and visiting the cabin in Potter County. He later spent his time doing volunteer work for the Pennsylvania Fish Commission. He donated countless hours during the Big Spring stream improvement project and was also an active member of the state’s annual trout stocking program.

Merle is survived by his two children, Merlene (husband, Paul) Marhevka and Ted A Gayman, of Carlisle, grandchildren, Nickie (husband, James Heberlig, Jr.) Marhevka and Chad Gayman, of Carlisle, and Jordan (wife, Felicia) Gayman of Newville. He is also survived by three great grandchildren, Cooper Gayman and Izzabella Bowers of Newville, and Ava Gayman of Carlisle.

Merle was predeceased by his wife, Norma Heberlig Gayman, on June 10, 2017, after 67 years of marriage. He was also predeceased by his 3 sisters, Mildred Sees of Sarasota, Florida, Martha Russell of Carlisle, Elsie Hockenberry of Newville, and three brothers, Glenn (Hank), Earl (Bus) and Jay (Brady) Gayman, all of Newville.

Funeral services will be held Monday, May 19, 2025 at Hoffman Funeral & Cremation, 2020 West Trindle Road, Carlisle, with Pastor Steve Motter officiating. His visitation will be held from 9:30am to 10:30am and his Celebration of Life will begin at 10:30am. Burial will be in Westminster Memorial Gardens, Carlisle.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Merle’s memory to Johns Hopkins Office of Giving, P. O. Box 17045, Baltimore, MD 21297-0307.

Merle’s family would like to extend their thanks to the nurses and staff at Thornwald Home for the kindness and courtesies extended to them during Merle’s stay there.