Obituary of Merle L. Houghwot

Merle L. Houghwot, 81, of 223 Baker St., died Thursday, July 10, 2014 at his home. He was born May 24, 1933 in Kiantone, NY, one of nine children of the late Merle B. and Lois Woodward Houghwot. Merle served in the US Army from 1954 to 1956. For 17 years he was employed by Weber-Knapp, and retired in 1995 after 17 years with Ulrich Planfiling Equipment. Merle had belonged to the Samuel Derby American Legion Post in Frewsburg. He enjoyed bowling, especially with his Weber-Knapp bowling team. He was also a devoted woodworker, particularly in his retirement. Merle always enjoyed children, whether his own in earlier years or later those in the neighborhood. He is survived by his wife, the former Betty J. Bigelow, whom he married August 20, 1977; four children: Vanessa (Dave) Tracy of Panama, Edward (Tammy) Houghwot of Panama, Kevin (Jackie Draggett) Houghwot of Stockton and Bradley (Mara Winston) Houghwot of Panama; two step-children: Willis (Judy) Mohney of Jamestown and Grace Ann (Paul) Merrick of Colorado; two grandsons: Timothy Houghwot of Panama and Joshua Houghwot of Celoron; 16 step-grandchildren, 12 step- great-grandchildren and 6 step- great- great-grandchildren; and two sisters: Edna Bennett of Frewsburg and Phyllis (Richard) Warner of Sugar Grove. He was preceded in death by four brothers, Norman, Lyle, Russell and Harold Houghwot; and two sisters, Jean Green and Clara Moore. The funeral will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday in the Lind Funeral Home. Merle's niece, Pastor Carol Becker of the Wheeler Hill United Methodist Church, will officiate. Burial will be in Soldier's Circle of Lake View Cemetery. Friends will be received from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday in the funeral home. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105; or to the Chautauqua County Humane Society, 2825 Strunk Rd., Jamestown, NY 14701.