Merton L. Rowe Obituary (1918 - 2011)

Lieutenant Colonel. Merton L. Rowe (Ret), 92, of Waterville, Maine, passed away on Thursday, September 8, 2011, at MaineGeneral Medical Center in Waterville, after a battle with diabetes, and heart failure with his loving family with him until the end. Mert was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, uncle and friend. Mert was born in Boothbay Harbor, Maine, the ninth of ten children born to the late Curvin and Flora (Lane) Rowe on November 1, 1918. Mert was educated in Boothbay Harbor, graduating from Boothbay Harbor High School in 1938. Mert then moved to Randolph, Maine with a brother, and drove a bakery route for Cushman Bakeries. Mert enlisted in the National Guard in September of 1940, at the age of 21, and in the United States Army in February of 1941. He attended basic training in Fort Benning, then to OCS school at Fort Benning, where he received his 2nd Lieutenant commission. Mert married Marjorie Fossett in September of 1942. Also in September of 1942, Mert set sail for England, and then in 1943 to North Africa. In July of 1943, he was detailed to act as MP, escorting prisoners to the British Isles, and the United States. Mert then returned to North Africa, and was reassigned to the Italian Company serving Rome, Po Valley, and Verona. Mert was sent home in 1945, and was honorably discharged at Fort Hood, Texas and awarded the European and African Middle East Theater Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, and the good conduct medal for his service. After the war, Merton and his wife Marjorie owned and operated a convenience store in Randolph, and proceeded to raise four children, Suzanne, Robert, Mark, and Kirby. Mert then went to work for Jordan's Meats, staying with them for 27 years, retiring as District Manager in 1979. He also served in the Army Reserves from 1945 to 1970, retiring as Lieutenant Colonel. Marjorie passed away in 1976. Mert married Florence Fairfield of Randolph in October of 1980. Mert loved Rotary and all it stood for. He was a longtime devoted member, past president of the local club, and secretary for many years. He was past district secretary for DDP Paul Jensen. He was an eight time Paul Harris Fellow. He was a past member of the Randolph Methodist Church and lay leader. He was also a member of Pleasant Street United Methodist Church in Waterville. Mert was predeceased by his nine brothers and sisters, Lawrence Rowe, Dolly Rowe, Milton Rowe, Thelma Jordan, Wesley Rowe, Cleo R Lewis, Melville Rowe, Millie R. Giles, Eleanor R. Farnham; and special friend Michael Hamlin. Mert is survived by his present wife Florence Rowe; his four children, Suzanne and Fred Thurlow, Robert Rowe and his partner Ursula Holzkamper, Mark and Kathy Rowe, and Kirby and Linda Rowe; two stepchildren, Richard and Sharon Fairfield, and James and Susan Fairfield; eight grandchildren, Jefferson and Mandy Daggett, Rebecca and Adam Goodpasture, Amanda and Chris McTigue, Jonathan Fairfield and fianc Kelly Ouellette, Jeffrey Fairfield, and Samantha and Troy Thibodeau, Ericka Fairfield and fianc Matt Page, Michelle Schlosser; two step-granchildren, Ben Brown, Matt Brown and Erin Cunniham; great grandchildren, Finn and Kaia Goodpasture, Cassidy McTigue, Ava Thibodeau, Gavin Brown; brother-in-law, David Fossett and wife Eddie and family; and sister-in-law, Harriet Gurney and family; two nephews who were like sons, Curvin Farnham and family, and Ronald Farnham and family, and many other nieces and nephews. Also, Mack and Carlene Hamlin are like another son and daughter-in-law and their families; Mary and Josh Lapan and sons Steven and Wyatte, Marsha and Donald Demers and their family Cassie, Alex, and Michaela. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Waterville Rotary Club Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 192, Waterville, ME 04903, or the Mike Hamlin Scholarship Fund, c/o Lawrence High School, 9 School St., Fairfield, ME 04937, or the Randolph Methodist Church, 16 Asbury St., Randolph, ME 04345. Thanks to everyone for all of the cards, prayers, support, and kindness during his illness, especially Delta Ambulance, Emergency Unit at Thayer Hospital and all of the staff, and the CC Unit staff., during the last five years and especially his last five days with us. His family appreciates all you did. Visiting hours will be held on Monday, September 12, from 6-8 p.m. at Lawry Brothers Funeral Home, 107 Main Street, Fairfield. A chapel service with military honors will be held on Tuesday, September 13, at 10 a.m. at Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Civic Center Drive, Augusta, Maine.