Nora M. (Holmes) Swank (Mericle), 93, died Oct. 26, 2017, at 12:35 a.m. at the Mennonite Memorial Home, Bluffton. Nora was born Oct. 19, 1924, in Bluffton to the late Roscoe I. and Eva (Eckenwiler) Holmes. On Nov. 28, 1944, she married Joseph H. Swank who preceded her in death on March 15, 1997. She then married William P. Mericle on Jan. 27, 2002, and he preceded her in death on March 15, 2005.
Nora was a 1942 graduate of Elida High School. She worked at the Lima Tank Depot during World War II and also Holtzapple Poultry Farm in Elida. After the war had ended, Nora worked at Swank's Meat Market in Bluffton and later retired from the Village of Bluffton in 1989. She enjoyed bowling at Southgate Lanes in Bluffton and taught many children how to bowl.
Nora was a member of Emmanuel United Church of Christ, Bluffton, and the Bluffton Senior Citizens.
Survivors include a brother, John Holmes of Lima and several nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.
Nora was preceded in death by a brother Vincent Holmes; a sister Mary (Holmes) Gaiffe; a niece Betty (Gaiffe) Lewis; and a nephew Steve Swank.
Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, Oct. 30, at Maple Grove Cemetery in Bluffton alongside her husband, Joseph Swank. William Herr officiating. There will be no visitation.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Bluffton Fire Department.
Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.chiles-lamanfh.com.
