Merle D. Gisel, 68, of Archbold died Tuesday.

Born Dec. 16, 1938, in Wauseon, he was the son of Chester and Ella (Short) Gisel. On Aug. 20, 1960, he married Carolyn Rufenacht, who survives.

Following his graduation from Goshen College, he and his wife resided in Elkhart, Ind., until returning to the Wauseon and Archbold area in 1967. He and his wife owned and operated Gisel Catering until the early 1980s, but he remained working in the food service industry for a number of years. He had since embarked on his real estate career and took over his father’s Newton Manufacturing sales terrority. He was a member of Zion Mennonite Church in Archbold, the Toledo Choral Society and the Ohio and Florida Realtors Associations.

He is also survived by two sons, Cedric of Manitou Beach, Mich., and Lincoln (Erin) of Cleveland Heights; and two grandchildren.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Zion Mennonite Church, Pastor Ron Guengerich and Pastor Mona Sauder officiating. Interment will precede at Pettisville Cemetery.

Visitation will be 5-8 p.m. Thursday and 3-8 p.m. Friday at Zion Church Fellowship Hall.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Zion Church, Toledo Choral Society or a charity of the donor's choice.

Short Funeral Home, Archbold, is in charge of the arrangements.