Calling(s)

Friday, August 27, 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM Young Family Funeral Home, Hudson-Ashley Chapel

Service

Friday, August 27, 2:00 PM Young Family Funeral Home, Hudson-Ashley Chapel

Obituary

Merle W. Lorntz, 82, of Pleasant Lake died Wednesday, August 25, 2021, at Orchard Pointe Health Campus in Kendallville.

He was born January 22, 1939, in Wauseon, Ohio to Paul W. and Frieda V. (Spangler) Lorntz.

On December 13, 1958, in Williams Center, Ohio, he married Beverly J. Patterson.

Mr. Lorntz retired from Merritt Sand and Gravel near Angola, and was also a farmer.

He was a member of the Ashley United Methodist Church, Steuben County Soil and Water Conservation, Steuben County Pork Producers, and Farm Bureau Insurance Board. At one time, he also served on the Salem Center Fire Department.

Merle enjoyed collecting old tractors and tinkering on junk.

Surviving are his wife of 62 years, Beverly Lorntz of Pleasant Lake; two daughters, Brook (Joe) Hartman of Howe and Beth (Craig) Kain of LaGrange; five sons, Mark (Patty) Lorntz of Fremont, Michael Lorntz of Angola, Monty Lorntz of Pleasant Lake, Matthew (Donna) Lorntz of Pleasant Lake, and Mitch Lorntz of Fort Wayne; 17 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by two sisters, Nancy Ann Hanna and Janice Leppelmeier; a grandson; and a great-granddaughter.

Visitation will be Friday, August 27, 2021, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Young Family Funeral Home, Hudson-Ashley Chapel, 612 North Main Street, Hudson.

Funeral services will be Friday at 2 p.m. at the funeral home with Pastor J.L. Horton of the Ashley United Methodist Church officiating.

Merle's funeral service on Friday will also live stream on the Young Family Funeral Home Facebook page beginning at 2 p.m. for those unable to attend in person.

Burial will follow at Circle Cemetery near Hudson.

Pallbearers are Trevor Lorntz, Tyler Lorntz, Tatem Lorntz, Lance Lorntz, Cole Lorntz, and Blake Kain.

Preferred memorials may be directed to the Salem Center Fire Department.

Share memories and condolences at www.youngfamilyfuneralhome.com