Merle Vaughn

Merle C. Vaughn, 94, of Shippensburg, departed this life on the morning of Thursday, August 3, 2023, at his home.

He was born on January 24, 1929, in Shippensburg, a son of the late Frances and Margaret (Weaver) Vaughn. Merle married Mary I. Barrick on June 7, 1947. She preceded him in death on January 22, 2022, after seventy-four years of marriage.

Merle held many different jobs and worked for many places throughout his life. He was a steam engine engineer for the Merchant Marines; a steel worker; worked at the Chambersburg Electric Company; owned and operated the former Vaughn’s Refuse Service, Green Village Gulf Station, and a Mister Softee Ice Cream truck; and finally retired from SKF, Shippensburg, in the early ninety’s.

He was a member of the Oscar M. Hykes American Legion Post #223, and a member of the Williams Grove Steam Engine Association for 47 years. In his free time Merle enjoyed going to the local dirt track races in Shippensburg and Path Valley. He also liked to go for coffee with the local men’s breakfast groups. His family was very important to Merle and he was always known as a really good story teller because of his vast life experiences.

He is survived by two daughters, Cheryl Bard and husband Donald of Fayetteville, and Karen Cummings of Shippensburg; his son, Keith Vaughn and companion Wendy Gross of Shippensburg; son-in-law, Barry Cramer of St. Thomas; twelve grandchildren; many great grandchildren; numerous great-great grandchildren; and special friends from Michigan Ed and Madge Cramer.

In addition to his parents, Merle was preceded in death by a son, Merle Edward Vaughn; a daughter, Mary Ethel Cramer; a granddaughter, Angela M. Defenderfer; and a son-in-law, Jerry Cummings.

His funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., on Wednesday, August 9, 2023, at the Fogelsanger-Bricker Funeral Home & Crematorium, Inc., Shippensburg. Pastor Dale A. Detweiler will officiate. Interment will follow in the Mongul Cemetery. Viewing will be Tuesday evening from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., and one hour prior to the service on Wednesday morning at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Grane Hospice.