The ranks are thinning…

I just got word that a third member of my high school graduating class has died, all within less than a month:

Francis Edward (Frank) Merson died July 3. He was born in Crawfordsville, Indiana to Nola Litton Merson and James Edward Merson. He graduated from high school in Delphi, Indiana and attended Purdue University, where he met his wife, Mary Merson. They had two daughters, Anne Merson Stevens and Julie Merson Martinez. Retiring from the US Air Force as a MSGT after 20 years of service, he worked as a military contractor, then a handyman. He was his mother's caretaker and loved her very much. Another love was animals and he regularly rescued them. One of his greatest joys in life were his furry friends. The family wishes to thank Hospice of San Angelo for all of their help and loving care. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Concho Valley PAWS or Hospice of San Angelo, Texas. He is survived by his mother, Nola Merson; wife Mary Merson; Anne and Walter Stevens; Julie and Aramis Martinez; seven grandsons; one great-granddaughter; brother John Merson of San Antonio; and sister Linda Perkins of Olympia, Washington. No services are planned. Arrangements are by Johnson's Funeral Home.

Robert T. Moore of Delphi passed away on Sat., July 12, 2014 at IU Health Arnett in Lafayette. Robert was born on Dec. 19, 1944 in Lafayette to the late Morris T. and Roberta H. (Bowman) Moore. He was a 1963 graduate of Delphi High School.
Mr. Moore was a retired sheet metal fabricator.
He married Shirley K. Shaw on Aug. 11, 2001 in Delphi and she survives.
He enjoyed hunting mushrooms, camping and loved the outdoors.
He is survived by his wife and step-children: Michael Hines of Delphi and Ginni Ramsey (Marcus) of Noblesville; 5 grandchildren; sisters: Julie McMahan (Nigel) and Judy Glover (David) both of Texas. He was preceded by his parents and brother, Jim Moore.
Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. until the 3:00 p.m. service on Thursday, July 17, 2014 at Davidson Funeral Home in Delphi. Pastor Jeff Kibler will officiate. Burial will be in I.O.O.F. Memorial Gardens in Pittsburg, Indiana.

Richard L. Bell of Colorado Springs, Colo., passed away on Tuesday, June 17, 2014. He graduated from Delphi High School in 1963. A U.S. Army veteran, Richard owned a glass company in Colorado Springs. He was passionate about restoring old automobiles, especially Hudsons.

Frank and Bob were pals in high school Dick was class president in our freshman year.