Merle W. Hoover, 90, of Bluffton and formerly rural Markle, died at 3:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 8, 2010, at Bluffton Regional Medical Center. Mr. Hoover was born in Mansfield, Ohio, on Jan. 1, 1920, to Jesse B. and Lucy Marie (Darkwood) Hoover. He married Helen M. Deihl in Garrett on Dec. 26, 1948; she preceded him in death on March 31, 2007. A 1938 graduate of New Paris High School and a 1950 graduate of Manchester College, Mr. Hoover gained his Master's Degree at Ball State University. He worked as a school teacher for Central Noble Community Schools, retiring in 1982. He was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, Huntington Exchange Club and Indiana State and Huntington retired teachers' associations. He also served three years as a smoke jumper for the U.S. Forestry Service from 1944-47. Surviving relatives include one son, Phillip M. (Cynthia) Hoover of Bluffton; one daughter, Rebecca (Mark) Reynolds of Monticello; one brother, Raymond A. Hoover of Goshen; one step sister, Sue Ellen (Jack) Reiber of Uniontown, Pa.; and two grandchildren, Heather Reynolds and Mike Hoover. Mr. Hoover was also preceded in death by one brother, Russell H. Hoover. Calling hours will be from 2 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 10, and from 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 11, at the Goodwin Memorial Chapel in Bluffton. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, at the funeral home. Graveside services and burial will be at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, at Whitehead Cemetery in New Paris.