Merlin Luce

Youngstown - Merlin Luce, 95, of Youngstown, died Sunday afternoon at Omni Manor Health Care Center. Merlin was born September 25, 1912 in Antwerp, Ohio, a son of Moses and Minnie Goyings Luce. He was raised on a farm in Paulding County and came to this area in 1941. He was a 1929 graduate of Antwerp High School and attended the Fort Wayne Correspondence School where he received his Stationary Engineer License. He was a Stationary Engineer for US Steel Company for over 30 years, retiring in 1977. During the Depression, he worked for the U.S. Sugar Mill. Merlin was a United States Army Veteran serving in World War II. He was a radio operator in Southern France, North Africa, Sicily and Rome- Arno, and received the European, African, Middle Eastern Campaign Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. Merlin was a political activist in union and labor causes. He was a member of the American Civil Liberties Union, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), and the Steel Workers Union Local #1330, where he was grievance committeeman. He also wrote for the Steel Worker Union Paper "Ohio Works Organizer". He was a member of the Peace Action Youngstown, Solidarity, the Grange, and contributing member of the Paulding County Historical Society. He was a member of the Struthers Presbyterian Church Fireside Sunday School Class. Merlin leaves his wife, the former Lois Ruth Mallery, whom he married December 7, 1944; two sons, Charles (Leslie) Luce of Weehawken, NJ, and Danny Luce of New York City, NY; one daughter, Ruth Alice Luce of Girard; and one granddaughter Brianna Luce. Besides his parents, Merlin was preceded in death by three brothers, Paul, Howard, and Harry Luce, and two sisters Violet Luce and Grace Carr. Funeral services will be Thursday, 1:30 PM at the Struthers Presbyterian Church with Pastor Steve Breazier and Rev. Rick Judy officiating. Interment will follow in the Lake Park Cemetery. Friends will be received Thursday from 11:00 A.M. until 1:15 PM at the church. Contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Assistance and Referral Network, 4214 Market Street, Youngstown 44512. Condolences may be sent at www.beckerobits.com .

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