Merrill L. Bickle Aug. 22, 1933 – Dec. 31, 2013 Merrill L. Bickle, 80, Sinking Valley, died Tuesday at his residence. He was born in Pine Grove Mills, son of Clair O. and Helen (Smith) Bickle. He married Marilyn Hegedus on June 5, 1954, at Warriors Mark Methodist Church. Surviving are his wife; a son, Gary (Emily) of Sinking Valley; two grandsons: Ryan (Naomi) of West Chester and Chad (Bethany) of West Dapford, N.J.; three great- grandchildren: Austin, Carly and Reagan; and a sister, Rose Ann (Richard) Lafferty of Huntingdon. He was preceded in death by two brothers: Edwin and Robert. Merrill served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean conflict. He retired in 1997. Merrill was a member of Warriors Mark United Methodist Church, Howard Gardner Post 281 American Legion, Anderson-Denny Post 4559 V.F.W. and B.P.O.E. 212. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 3, 2014, at Richard H. Searer Funeral Home Inc., Tyrone. A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014, at Warriors Mark United Methodist Church, the Rev. Aden Wertz officiating. Contributions in Merrill's memory may be made to The V Foundation for Cancer Research, 106 Towerview Court, Cary, NC 27513 (http://jimmyv.org). www.searerfuneralhomeinc.com