Merle Gustav Degen

Merle Gustav Degen, age 83, of New Philadelphia, died peacefully, Sunday, November 16, 2025, while in the care of Ohio’s Hospice’s Truman House at New Philadelphia, following a period of declining health.

Born on October 14, 1942, in the family home at Fiat, Ohio, Merle was a son of the late Clarence H. and Lousie E. Regula Degen.

He was a 1960 graduate of the former Stone Creek High School and on November 1, 1964, he married the former Carol Ott. Merle was drafted into the United States Army in 1966 and served his country during the Vietnam War until his honorable discharge in 1968.

For 25 years Merle worked at Marlite and later turned his attention to his farm spending many years growing crops, and raising beef cattle. Additionally, Merle spent more than three decades as an employee of Jefferson Township where he mowed, plowed, cared for the cemetery, and kept an eye on the roads.

Merle was a longtime member of the Stone Creek Ruritans, Jefferson Grange, and spent many years as a 4-H advisor, and was a lifelong fan of the Ohio Sports teams and kept a close eye on Tuscarawas County high school sports. Most of all, Merle enjoyed any opportunity he was given to attend the sporting events and various activities of his grandchildren.

In addition to his wife of 61 years, Merle is survived by his children, Michael (Michelle) Degen of Farmington Hills, Michigan, Samuel Degen, and Jennifer (Chester) Randolph all of New Philadelphia; his grandchildren, Ian, Amelia, Alexxis (Anthony), Madison, Cammi, Riley, Norah, Ella, and Silas; six great-grandchildren, and his nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Merle was preceded in death by a brother, Glenn Degen.

The family will greet guests on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, from 3 – 5 PM in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia where Rev. Dr. Tom Hendershot will lead a service celebrating Merle’s life in the funeral home’s chapel at 5 PM. A meal and fellowship will follow in the funeral home’s Family Center. Private interment with military honors will take place in the Stone Creek Cemetery.

Memorial contributions in Merle’s name may be directed to Ohio’s Hospice Foundation, 716 Commercial Avenue SW, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663 or to Jerusalem Church, 1417 Stonecreek Road SW, New Philadelphia, Ohio, 44663.