Merle Banning, Jr.

Merle Banning, Jr. 76 of Austinburg died Monday (Jan. 29th) at the Ashtabula County Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. He was born June 30, 1941 in Ashtabula the son of Merle and Edith J. (May) Banning, Sr.

He was a graduate of Ashtabula High School and attended Kent State University and one year at Cleveland Institute. He was an engineer for Norfolk Southern Railroad for 43 years until his retirement.

He was a member of the Ashtabula Beagle Club and he enjoyed golf, fishing, horseshoes, bowling and beagle dogs.

Surviving him is his wife, Linda Wood Bacon Banning whom he married, August 20, 2005; his son, Scott (Diane) Banning of Middleburg Hts; a daughter, Kelly L. (Arnold) Scoville of Harpersfield; a step-daughter, Sheri (Mark) Hines of Kingsville; three grandchildren, Mitchell Banning, Abbey Scoville, Seth Scoville; three step grandchildren, Megan Buccieri, Michael Buccieri, Austin Hines ; a sister, Shirley Wendt of Saybrook and two nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and his first wife, Jean Ann Banning in 2002.

Visitation will be Monday (Feb. 5th) at 6:00 PM at the Ashtabula Home of Fleming & Billman Funeral Directors and Crematory, 526 W. Prospect Rd. Ashtabula with his funeral service to follow at 7:00 PM with Rev. David Hines of the Kingsville Baptist Church officiating. Burial will be in Ridgeview Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to Hospice of the Western Reserve, 1166 Lake Ave. Ashtabula, Ohio 44004. Condolences and obituary at www.fleming-billman.com.

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