Merle, as she preferred to be called, was born at home in Wilgus, Lawrence County, Ohio on June 25, 1931 to Frank Osborn and Belva Estep. She was the second of eight children. Her brother, Frank, Jr. died in childhood. Her siblings were June, Ruby, Katherine, Mary, Norma, and Leonard. Merle was named for her father's sister, who died at a young age. Her family was very poor and they moved many times during Merle's childhood to wherever her father could find work. She considered her greatest accomplishments to be her cheerleading letter and being the first runner-up to the Circleville Pumpkin Show queen. Don and Merle were married on October 7, 1949 and were married for almost 60 years. She was a loving housewife, mother, and grandmother.
Merle, as she preferred to be called, was born at home in Wilgus, Lawrence County, Ohio on June 25, 1931 to Frank Osborn and Belva Estep. She was the second of eight children. Her brother, Frank, Jr. died in childhood. Her siblings were June, Ruby, Katherine, Mary, Norma, and Leonard. Merle was named for her father's sister, who died at a young age. Her family was very poor and they moved many times during Merle's childhood to wherever her father could find work. She considered her greatest accomplishments to be her cheerleading letter and being the first runner-up to the Circleville Pumpkin Show queen. Don and Merle were married on October 7, 1949 and were married for almost 60 years. She was a loving housewife, mother, and grandmother.
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