Merle Owen Shackelford

Merle Owen Shackelford, age 89, of Myrtle Creek, died December 22, 2016 at Mercy Medical Center in Roseburg.

Merle was born September 11, 1927 in Augusta, Kansas to Joseph Theodore Shackelford & Elvera Grace (Cool) Shackelford. During World War II he served as a United States Army Sergeant as a mess cook while stationed in Austria and Germany. He owned and operated Southern Oregon Lumber Distributors and Cal-OR Wood Products here in Grants Pass. After retirement, he worked with his son, Earl at Grants Pass High School as a groundskeeper. In 2005 he moved from Grants Pass to Myrtle Creek.

Merle spent his second retirement spending time with his kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids. He was a gentleman farmer and enjoyed vegetable gardening and raising cows, pigs, and chickens.

Survivors include his children, Cindy Shackelford, Earl Shackelford and wife Nancy, Debbie Shackelford, and Robert Shackelford and wife Michelle; grandchildren, Sarah Shackelford, D.J. Shackelford, Sarah Roderick, Joseph Shackelford, Charlette Shackelford, Jennifer Otis and Glenn Otis Jr; and 13 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Doris Edna (Towne) Shackelford; daughter, Karen; sister, Marvel Rudd; and brother Lyle Shackelford.

A viewing will be from 11:30 a.m. to 12 noon, Wednesday, December 28, 2016 at Hull & Hull Funeral Directors.

A funeral service will begin at 12:00 noon, Wednesday, December at Hull & Hull Chapel. Mausoleum entombment will follow at Hawthorne Memorial Gardens