Merrill "Mert" Pyle,
May 3, 1932 to March 10, 2011
Merrill "Mert" Pyle, 78, of Anderson died at St. Vincent's Hospital after a brief illness.
Mert was born in Erick Oklahoma on May 3, 1932 to the late Charles E. and Elsie Pyle. He grew up in LaJunta, Colorado and graduated from LaJunta High School in 1950. He was active in all sports and was named High School All American Football in 1949.
Mert graduated from Anderson University, worked for Salvation Army in 1957, 58 and 59. He coached for Carl Erskine's baseball Camp at Anderson College in the early 1960's.
He was active in local politics, and was an educator, coach and administrator for Anderson Community Schools for nearly 40 years, at South Side Middle School, Central Junior High School, East Side Middle School and North Side Middle School. He was past AFT president and on the executive board for many years. He ran May's Ice Rink, Aqua Gardens and Athletic Pool for the Park Department under Mayor Rock's Administration. In later years, he co-owned and operated Old West Galleries in Middletown. Mert was an accomplished pianist and artist. He loved auto racing and football. He created and hand mad the original Anderson High School Indian Mascot and Indian Maiden Mascot costumes in the 1960's.
He is survived by a daughter, Susan Minnich, a son Tim Pyle both of Anderson, foster son, Mark Marshall, Anderson and foster son Roger Denny, Georgia, foster daughter, Linda Windham, Anderson, foster sister Charlsye Lipman of Cincinnati, brother Ken (Wanda) Pyle of Claremont, California; grandsons, Jonathan, Jacob(Carolyn) and Joel Minnich, several nieces and nephews and his former wife Doris Pyle.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Don Pyle and son Bill Pyle and a foster daughter Anna Graig.
Funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 12 at 2:00 P.M. at Rozelle-Johnson Funeral Service with Pastor Don Collins and Pastor Rick Vale officiating. Friends may call from 12 PM until the funeral service.
Mert's family would like to thank the doctors and nurses at St. John's Health System and St. Vincent Hospital for their loving care.
Cremation will take place.
Memorial contributions may be given to Christian Center, Operation Love or Park Place Community Center
E-mail condolences may be sent to [email protected].