Merle Leroy Black

Merle Leroy Blackie Black, Jr. was born June 4, 1920 in Hallett, Oklahoma. He was the son of Merle Leroy and Clara Ann Black. He moved with his family to the Big Springs, Texas area at an early age and was educated there, graduating from Big Springs High School in 1939.

Upon graduation, Merle moved to Cleveland where he began working for his Uncle, Charlie Bowman, at the Bowman Grocery Store stocking groceries and as a sales clerk. He was married to Billie Lou Chapman on February 20, 1942 in Cushing, Oklahoma. After a short time together, Merle was inducted into the service of his country in the United States Army on April 16, 1942. Merle serviced in Company A, 927th Signal Battalion in the following battles and campaigns during World War II. Algeria-French Morocco, Tunisia, Sicily, Naples-Foggia, Southern France, Northern France and Rome-Arno Rhineland. He received the following decorations and citations, EAME Service Ribbon with one silver star, four bronze service stars, one bronze arrowhead and the Good Conduct Medal. He was honorable discharged on August 20, 1945.

Merle's first son was born while Merle was serving during World War II and was nearly three years old when Merle saw his son for the first time. The couple had two other sons, Richard and Gene.

Upon completion of his military service, Merle attended Mortuary College in Chicago, Illinois. He returned to Cleveland and was employed by H. M. Chapman as a funeral director and embalmer. He continued to assist in the operation of the Chapman Funeral Home until Mr. Chapman retired in 1963. Shortly thereafter, Merle and Billie purchased the funeral home and changed the name to Chapman-Black Funeral Home. Merle continued to remain active in the funeral business until his retirement in 1985. He still assisted in the operation of the funeral home providing consulting and professional guidance until the time of his death.
Merle was honored in 1998 as a fifty-year funeral director and embalmer licensee by the Oklahoma Funeral Director's Association. He was also a member of the Cleveland Masonic Lodge #215. Additionally, Merle was a member of the American Legion, Everett Taylor Post 3 and the Cleveland Chapter of the Veteran's of Foreign War

Merle's hobbies during the past fifty years included, paint by number, ceramics, riding horses, driving horse drawn buggies, photography, wood working, cabinet making and motorcycling.

Merle passed away on Thursday, January 20, 2000 at his home in Cleveland, Oklahoma at the age of 79 years 7 months and 16 days. He was preceded in death by both his parents and a sister, Madeline Riley.

He is survived by his wife of fifty-seven years, Billie, of the home; three sons, Merle Leroy Black, III and his wife Judy of Norman, Oklahoma, Richard Chapman Black and his wife, Kelly of Durant, Oklahoma, and Gene Chapman Black and his wife, Tamza of Cleveland, Oklahoma; four grandchildren, Travis Black of Murrietta, California, Greg Black of Norman, Oklahoma, Erica Bluethman and Jillian Black, both of Durant, Oklahoma; and a sister, Mary Katherine Carpenter of San Antonio, Texas.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm, Saturday, January 22, 2000 at the Chapel of the Chapman-Black Funeral Home with Rev. George Boston and Emile Bayouth officiating. Burial will be at the Woodland Cemetery under the direction of the Chapman-Black Funeral Home.