Merle G. Forney, 97, of New Oxford, loving husband of Margaret Coulson Forney, entered into God’s eternal care on Saturday, August 13, 2022 at UPMC Hanover Hospital.

Born on Tuesday, August 19, 1924 in Hanover, he was a son of the late Jesse W. and Olive Garman Forney. A 1942 graduate of Eichelberger High School, Merle received his Bachelor’s degree from the Drexel Institute of Technology in 1948 and his Master’s degree from American University in 1962. He worked in various positions for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the United States Government for more than 40 years, retiring in 1994. Merle proudly served his country in the US Army’s 10th Mountain Division during World War II and was a member of the Emmanuel United Church of Christ. He was a past President of the Hanover Junior Chamber of Commerce (1952-53), had been a very active member of the Church of the Brethren Congregations in Harrisburg, University Park, MD and Columbia, MD, and was President and Founder of “Kids as Peacemakers” mural program in Newburyport, MA, an organization that impacted 3,000 children and 100 organizations in 18 states. Merle was awarded Newburyport Exchange Club’s “Golden Deeds Award” at the age of 85, and the Gettysburg Center for Peace and Justice’s “Lifetime of Peacemaking Award” in 2018.

In addition to his wife of 64 years, survivors include three children, Carol E. Forney and her companion, Jim Smethurst, of Deerfield, MA, Julie Forney Menin of Newburyport, MA and Christopher J. Forney and his wife, Meaghan Parker, of Silver Spring, MD; three grandchildren, Linnea, Noah and Corrina; and a niece, Sherry Ann Forney Frey and her husband, Dick, of York.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Heifer International by visiting heifer.org